Many times math games are pulled out at the end of the year as time fillers or are used only on Fridays as a break from the day-to-day routine of school. But math games are so much more.
Games are an essential component of math instruction, as well as a sanity saver that motivates students to achieve success. Games are good instructional practice as well as engaging applications of mathematical content. As a savvy teacher, you should always have games at your disposal as a strategy for actively involving students in math. I couldn’t have survived a decade-plus in my own classroom without games; they are that important. I see how math games benefit students and teachers in classrooms everywhere I travel.
What makes games so important? Games can help meet the expectations set forth by State Standards for Mathematics in an engaging and meaningful way. Games give students the chance to develop both competence and self-confidence with mathematics. Just as important, games allow a classroom teacher to differentiate math for the readiness levels of diverse learners.
Games also provide a home-school connection that is motivating and easy to encourage—unlike many traditional tasks. Nighttime battles around the kitchen table over completing 50 worksheet problems do not endear mathematics to anyone at home. But a game that parents or siblings can play with students supports learning and develops positive attitudes toward mathematics that can last a lifetime. This book provides professional information about the process for planning and using games to meet a variety of learning needs, along with 40 ready-to-use games that require only minimal preparation. Yes, these are games—but they’re also serious, worthwhile practice.
Have some serious fun!