MATH GAME MANIA
Ann-Marie Hunter
Why use Math Games?
 motivates students to use Math in different
situations
 encourages students to try new activities
 offers repetitive practice of skills in a fun
format
 allows early-finishers to get practice on
related topics without feeling like they’re
doing more work
Why use Math Games?
 associates Math with fun
 fosters Math talk and discovery
 allows students to use creativity and strategies to
explore Math
 journalling their discoveries with games fosters
thoughtful growth/awareness
Strategies for Implementing Math
Games
 *Group students with Appointment Clocks or %,
decimal, fraction groups, etc.
 Plan special Math game sessions at a regular time
each week.
 Arrange for game pairs/groups to change
regularly.
 Ensure that some of the games played each week
reflect the Math unit being taught.
 Set up a Games section of the classroom for
selected times/students.
Strategies for Implementing Math
Games
 Give the students a special Math journal with a
section for Games discoveries to be recorded.
 Have students write about how their
understanding changed, what they recognized
in their partners’ play, or how they made new
Math discoveries.
 Encourage diagram use in journals.
 When first starting Math journals, encourage
students to write about their feelings related to
the game they played; point out how this type
of journal entry is different from one in which
they write about a discovery.
Strategies for Implementing Math
Games
 Consider not requiring journal entries for every
game played; give students choice for when they use
the journal, but expect a certain number per term.
 With permission, display entries that clearly
demonstrate discoveries/understanding.
 Journalling is best done immediately after a games
session; if some students have not chosen to journal
on a particular day, assign a different activity at that
time.
 Limit the journalling time to 5 – 7 mins.
Strategies for Implementing Math
Games
 On occasion, allow group journalling, where a
game group writes about the game experience
together – writing the journal entry in one
person’s journal, signed by all.
 Attempt to read journals on the same day that
students write their entries.
Strategies for Implementing Math
Games
 Use a cooperative learning group: Have students
explain in writing how they worked together to
solve a problem or discover an answer in a game.
 Have students choose a past journal entry and
revise it, using new knowledge.
 Have students write about how the game skills
and/or strategies are useful in the real world.
Journal Prompts
 What do you like about this game? What don't you
like about this game?
 If I was asked to tell a friend how to win this game, I
would say …
 I wish I knew more about......
 Was this game hard or easy? Why?
Journal Prompts
 What would you like to do better the next time you
play this game?
 Is this game fair?
 Were you frustrated by this game? Why or why
not?
 What is the most important skill to have to play this
game successfully?
 What skills did you use to play this game?
Math Game Resources
*Math Glossary website – free
http://www.hbschool.com/glossary/math2/index6.html
Online Games –
1) *Mathletics – awesome online program; teacher has access to
progress of students and can direct which topics they
study – students create an avatar that they earn
points to change - cost of registration decreases with
number of students in school who use the program
www.mathletics.ca
2) Cool Math Games – free - logic, thinking games
www.coolmath-games.com
Math Game Resources
3) Adapted Mind – free 30-day trial –
graded material, ordered by topic
http://www.adaptedmind.com
4) TIMEZ ATTACK – video game that
teaches multiplication (addition,
subtraction & division) facts – free!
Upgrades can be purchased if desired.
www.bigbrainz.com
TIMEZ ATTACK
Math Game Resources
Books –
1) Family Math – Stenmark, Thompson, and Cossey
published 1986 - a wonderful book full of teaching
games – originally designed for parent/child use works very well in classrooms
2) Family Enriched Mathematics – Andrew Morrison
3) 3) Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks – Joanne Currah
(Gr. 1 – 4, Gr. 7 – 12)
More Math Games
 Check out the many resources available to you
 Look for games in textbooks – if you don’t have
time to learn them, assign the job to one of your
students to teach the class
 Work on making Math Games a regular part of your
Math teaching
 Thank you for coming to the
workshop and showing an interest
in learning about Math games
Please join PITA ~
Provincial Intermediate Teachers Association
 It’s only $15 to join PITA if you are a TTOC, student, or
teacher without a position. $35 for teachers with
positions. Attending a PITA workshop automatically
makes you a member!
 pita.ca – lots of resources on the Wiki and information
about upcoming events.
 PITA Facebook page with links to cool stuff
 newsletters with great teaching ideas 3 times a year
 amazing PSA – with a focus on providing great PD
Start UP! Your Class Workshops
 startupyourclass.ning.com – is the Start UP! website.
 Part of PITA!
 focussed on early career teachers
 contains links to resources
 blogs and info about upcoming
events
 Late August workshops
- practical Unit Strategies in all
subject areas
 opportunities to connect with
 presenters and discuss your trials with new materials