How to Setup and Use Math Games in Middle School
Middle school math games allow students to have fun and be engaged while learning. They work great as math centers, in small groups, or as a teacher vs. class game. However, sometimes knowing how to find, prep, and effectively implement math games can be intimidating. Here are a few tips that will help make middle school math board games a success!
AVAILABLE GAMES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
In this post, I will be focusing on how to prep and implement one of my most popular games, Equation Invasion. However, the majority of my math board games have a similar concept. Be sure to check out this post to find which games would best fit your classroom and grade level. Grade levels for these math games range from 5th-8th grade math and cover almost any concept!
PREPPING THE GAME
After downloading, the first step is “unpacking the game” and getting the parts ready for students to use. With a digital PDF, like Equation Invasion or one of my other math board games, this means printing and cutting the materials. Thankfully, these games don’t require a ton of prep (but there is some!). I recommend printing the game board and problem cards on white card stock. Each page of problems prints on the front of the page directly behind it. Once cut, they should look like this.
This is also true of the “Test Your Luck” cards (for example page 13 prints on the front of page 14. Once you have these printed, the prep is done and you are ready to play with students!
Tip: Once printed, I highly recommend laminating the cards and boards. Although this takes a little extra time upfront, this will ensure they stay in good shape when students ask to play again!
HOW THE GAME WORKS
The gameplay is relatively simple for these games. They are intended for 2-5 players. Place the pile of problem cards and Test Your Luck cards face down, in two separate piles. Players take turns drawing a problem card. They try the problem and then another player can check their answer using the answer key. If they get it correct, they move ahead the number of spaces indicated on that problem card. The harder the problem, the more spaces they will get to move!
The “Test Your Luck” spaces also add an element of luck. If a player lands on one of these spaces, they draw a Test Your Luck card and have to move forward or back, as indicated on that card.
*Tip: To speed up the game and keep kids more engaged, try having each student draw a card at the same time. That way they can all work on one problem at the same time and there is less idle time for students!
DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE THE MATH GAMES
One of the best things about math games is how many different ways you can use them in the math classroom! Here are just a few options of how I have played with my students.
(1) TEACHER VS. CLASS GAME
This is a great way to introduce the game or play if you do not want to break into small groups. In this case, you could project the board game in front of the class. You play as “Player 1” and the class, as a whole, plays as “Player 2.” When the class is doing a problem, I typically give them all some time to try it. If anyone from the class gets it right, they get to move ahead. Students love trying to beat the teacher!
(2) SMALL GROUP PLAY
In this setup, you will break apart your class into groups of 2-5 students. Each group will need their own set of materials (game board, problem cards, answer key, and game pieces). Set aside a certain amount of time and students play, as described in the How the Game Works section above. When the time is up, whoever is ahead in each group wins!
(3) MATH WORKSHOP
If you run math centers, or math workshop, these games work great! Have a set of materials ready for that math center. Students play for the length of the entire center and whoever is winning when time is up wins! If you are interested in learning more about math workshop, you may be interested in my Making Math Workshop Work self-paced, online course.
Hope you and your math students have fun playing! Don’t forget to check out this post to find the middle school math games that best fit your specific grade level and students! 😁