Meaningful Math Practice with Math Games

True confession time –

It’s true confession time as I explain the real reason I started using partner games for meaningful math practice.

When I was a first-grade teacher (for 20 years), I was a much better reading teacher than a math teacher.

It is true.

I didn’t hate teaching math but I wasn’t as good at managing small math groups and math stations as I was at managing reading groups and centers. I don’t know what the difference was but my guided math groups usually did not go smoothly.

Then one day I decided to try partner math games instead of doing stations.

I was hooked!

How I began using math games…

From that point on, I would first teach a new math game whole group and then partners would play the same game all week. This is how I quickly and easily incorporated math partner games in my 1st-grade class.

I found that if I took the time to teach the game and make sure my students knew how to play, they could later play independently.

I would also regularly bring back games from earlier in the year. My students enjoyed playing the games they already knew how to play and they never seemed to get bored with the repetition.

In fact, the more my students got into the routine of playing partner games, the more successful they were at playing without the teacher’s help!

Benefits of Math Partner Games

I was so glad I tried partner games because the kids loved the games and I loved that they could have meaningful practice while I pulled small groups.

I discovered that math games had so many benefits.

The games were a great way to review and practice skills.
My students stay focused on one subject.
The games also helped my students learn how to cooperate with others.

Of course, the other bonus was that when my students were engaged in meaningful math practice with partner games, I could focus on small groups or one on one instruction with other students.

Roll and Spin Math Games

This past year and a half, I have been making resources for the teachers at my school. I decided to also sell them on Teachers Pay Teachers to try and help other teachers.

One of the resources I am really excited about is this set of Roll and Spin Math Games

These Roll and Spin Math Games are perfect for helping your K-2 students review addition, subtraction, and number recognition all year.

These games are basically no prep! Simply print, laminate (optional), add dice and game pieces. The only prep is cutting out one of the spinners!

First Model the Math Games and then Use All the Time!

Once you have modeled how to play the games, students will be able to independently practice with a partner.

I like using games with similar formats so that students know exactly what to expect.

These games are so much fun, students will want to play them even when it is not math time!

These games are a great option for early finishers. Have them easily accessible and near necessary game components (i.e. dice and game pieces). Students can grab a game and work with a partner.

These games are also a great option for Fun Friday! It’s a win-win – students get the reward of playing partner games and you squeeze in extra beneficial math review! Before long, you have increased meaningful math practice with partner games!

Fun Roll and Spin Math Game Bundle

Since it is winter, I am showing images of the winter games but there are games for the whole year!

There are games for each season, as well as a non-seasonal “School Kids” version.

The variety of images used on the gameboards makes the games seem new and different but the similar format, directions, and skills review make it easy for students to know what to do.

These gameboard sets also include open-ended options so you can create your own games. There are also blank spinners included. I used some of the open-ended options to create a sight word review game for my reading intervention group.