Using Unit Rate Math Games to Engage Students

Unit Rate Ruckus Middle School Math Game

Teaching is hard. I remember my first year of teaching 10 years ago. I thought I was prepared. I had spent days planning out lessons for the first month of school, envisioning in my head how smoothly everything would run in my classroom. Then the reality of teaching middle school math hit. My plans, which had focused primarily on me delivering these perfect math lessons in front of a class, just didn't happen. Of course, some students loved class and did well. But I also had students who told me they were bored and students who told me they hated math. As I tried to deliver my perfect lesson in front of the class, with my overhead projector (yeah I had one of those), I had students blurting out, causing distractions, and making it difficult for everyone in the class to focus. This can happen whether it's your 1st year, 10th year, or 25th year. At that point for me, I realized I needed to try something different.

At the suggestion of the curriculum coach at my school, I decided to try more small group work with students. I started introducing more small group games and activities, less teacher focused instruction, and started experimenting with different math workshop structures. I'd love to say it was a miraculous turnaround and in one day, everything was perfect… but unfortunately that's not how teaching works.

I still had behavior management issues sometimes, although definitely not more than there had been. What I did see almost right away, was a change in attitude of the majority of students. They started enjoying the opportunity to work in small groups and play games in math class. I even started to hear a few “Mr. O'Connor, math is fun" comments, like they couldn't believe what they were saying. 

I recently created this Unit Rate Ruckus math board game to help engage students and help them practice finding unit rates. Students solve unit rate problems as they work their way around the game board, trying to be the first player to reach the end. Along the way, they may land on Test Your Luck spaces, which either move them ahead or back. There is also a “Switch it Up” space, which requires them to switch spaces with another player on the board.

I have played a wide range of these types of games with students, and they love them! The competition and game format allows them to practice the math skills, while also having some fun with their peers and you. Also, since, I know group work is difficult for a lot of teachers this year, the game also includes a digital Google slides option that can be played virtually. I hope you can find a great use for this game with your students!