Primary Games for Math
Math games are an exciting way to promote learning and engage students in classroom activities. Math games will not only reinforce math skills that you've taught in class, but you can even use these games as an assessment tool. You will be able to monitor student progress as you walk around the classroom observing small groups. This takes the pressure off some students who get anxious when they know they're being assessed.
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How to Choose Primary Games
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Kindergarten through third grade are usually referred to as the primary grades. These grades establish the foundation to higher learning, so it is important to create a love of learning early on to ensure student success in the future.
Students of all ages enjoy playing games, but there are a few things you should look for when choosing games. First, the instructions shouldn't be too complicated. At the early grades, students have a difficult time remembering complicated instructions. They should be able to get the game out, and begin playing themselves without too much teacher interaction. Remember, when students are self-starters, this will help you have more time to assess other students. Games should also be quick enough that all students will have a chance to participate. Some students may get upset if they don't get a turn, or if they can't finish a game.
Games that involve movement are a great idea too. Students enjoy any activity that gets them moving around and not sitting at their desks for long periods of time.
Game Ideas
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Teach students how math can help them in real life situations. This will not only get them excited about learning, but it will help students see that what we do in the classroom will help them as they get older and choose a career.
Some real life game suggestions are: problem solving, time management, budgeting money, memorizing phone numbers and addresses, and estimating weight, distances or amounts.
Estimation jar -- Each week put a handful of new objects in the estimation jar. Have students make a guess and you can even graph results. The student who gets the closest could choose the object for next week.
Familiar card games like Go Fish and War teach the value of numbers.
Number bingo, memory and dominoes teach and reinforce number concepts.
Sorting math manipulatives is a great way to look at different objects and look for likenesses and differences. You can suggest categories to sort, or allow the students to come up with their own way to sort the given objects.
Dice games can be used to reinforce number concepts and addition facts. Students can take turns rolling the dice and create addition number sentences with the results.
Interactive websites and games aren't the only way to go, but they can be a good reward for completing work on time. They offer some ideas that are difficult to re-create in the classroom, so take advantage of them when you can.
Math Can Be Fun
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It is especially beneficial when students don't know they're learning, they just think math is fun. Students need this break every once in a while, and it's a great idea to use as an incentive for finishing all of their other work. If they know they can play a math game after their work is complete, this should help with some behavior problems in class as well.
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