Math

Revol
ution 0 1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
x 9 ÷
The 24 game
This math game is a great problem solving and ‘low floor, high ceiling game,’ as
players search for a solution. They can use only the basic calculations to reach the
target number, or they can utilize much more complex mathematical calculations.
What you will need to play:
 2 or more players
 A pack of cards (number cards only)
How to play:
  Shuffle the pack of cards and lay them face down on the table.
 Each player picks a card and turns it face up on the table, until there are 4
cards displayed.
 The aim of the game is to make ’24’ using only the cards on the table and
any of the 4 operations.
 For example, if they have a 6, 10, 2, and 6, the solution could be very simple,
such as basic addition: 6 + 10 + 2 + 6 = 24
 Older children may include more complex operations involving parentheses.
For example, they may have 9, 5, 6, and 9 and solve it by 5 – (9 ÷ 9) x 6 =
24. This is a good way to incorporate order of operations.
 If nobody is able to reach 24, the player who is the closest wins.

Nifty fifty
This math game is good for developing logical thinking and problem solving.
What you need to play:
 2 players
 Set of playing cards Ace to 10 (Ace is worth 1)
How to play:
 Both players select 4 playing cards.
 With the 4 cards they have 2 minutes to make a 2-digit + 2-digit number
sentence which is closest to 50.
 The number sentence closest to 50 scores 1 point. If the player creates a
calculation with exactly 50 as the answer, they earn 2 points.
 The winner is the player with the most points after 5 rounds.
Bang bang
This is a fun times table game and good for practicing the instant recall of
multiplication facts. It can be adapted to suit other mental math skills, such as
number bonds, quick addition/subtraction of 2 digit numbers, fractions, etc.
What you will need to play:
 2 players at a time, but a whole class game.
How to play:
 2 players stand at the front of the classroom back to back, cowboy shootout
style.
  The teacher or the game leader calls out a multiplication fact, for example
‘what is 8 x 3?’
 The first player to turn, face their opponent, shout ‘bang bang’ and give the
answer wins the round.
 Another member of the class then comes out to the front as ‘the challenger.’
 The winner is the last person standing once time runs out.
The yes / no game
This is another quick and easy game to set up and can again be played at any time,
when there’s a spare few minutes.
What you need to play:
 2 or more players.
How to play:
 One player thinks of a number between 0 and 100.
 The aim for the other player (or the rest of the class, if playing as a whole
class) is to ask questions to work out the number.
 The questions can only have the answer: ‘yes’ or ‘no’
 For example, the number could be 52. Questions players might ask could be:
‘Is it an odd number?’ ‘Is it over 30?’ ‘Can it be divided by 3?’ etc….
 The winner is the player to have worked out the mystery number with the
fewest number of questions asked.

Stand Up or Sit Down

Keep students’ brains awake with this jumping game. When you read a problem
and the answer is correct, students must stand up. If the answer is incorrect, they
must stay sitting. Make it interesting by pitting the teacher against the class. When
the whole class is correct, award them a point. When the class is wrong, award the
teacher a point.

Other options can be:

– Stand up when the number is even
– Stand up when the number is a prime number

Hot Potato

Tape math questions to a plastic ball using masking tape. Play hot potato,
passing the ball around until the music stops. Whoever has the ball when the
music stops must pick one of the math questions, peel it off the ball, and answer it.

Math Facts Race

Divide the class into two teams, each lined up. At the front of the room, provide
two identical grids of multiplication or addition facts. The first person on each
team must fill in one of the numbers on their grid (for example, where the 6 and 6
intersect, its 36 if multiplying). Then, they go to the end of the line and pass the
marker up to the first person in line. Whichever team to finish their grid first, wins.

Jeopardy

Set up your own jeopardy board with categories and point values. Some
categories could be: graphing, geometry, area and perimeter, addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. Then, assign at least 3 questions of 3
different point values to each category. Split the class into two teams. Allow each
team to pick the card they want. If they get the answer wrong, the other team has
a chance to try. See which team earns the most points!

Home Made Board Game

In small groups, invite children to create their own board game. Demonstrate
how to draw a snake “road” to follow and how to draw the squares. On each
square, give them a math problem to place on the board. Then, provide pieces and
dice and invite them to play. Students may also put some spaces that say “go back
2” or “lose a turn” to keep things interesting. Also, ask students to decorate the
game with a theme.

Around the Block

Grade level: 3rd - 8th Grades
Best for: Practicing quick recall of math facts in a group setting.
Play Around the Block as a minds-on activity, using only a ball to practice almost
any math skill. First, put together a list of questions related to a skill. Second,
have students stand in a circle. Finally, give one student the ball and read aloud a
question from your list.
Students must pass the ball clockwise around the circle, and the one who started
with it must answer the question before receiving it again. If the student
incorrectly answers, you can pass the ball to a classmate for the next question. If
the student correctly answers, he or she chooses the next contestant. It's a great,
hands-on math game kids will enjoy.

Bouncing Sums
Grade level: 3rd - 8th Grades
Best for: Physical activity combined with mental math challenges.
Give students a chance to move around class by playing Bouncing Sums, building
mental math muscles. To prepare, use labels and a marker to put integers,
decimals or fractions on a beach ball.
Hand the ball to one student, who will read aloud the label touching one of his or
her thumbs. That student tosses the ball to a classmate, and so on. Each student
must read the number on his or her label, adding it to — or multiplying it with —
the sum or product which the previous student stated.
The challenge of this math game? Reach the highest number possible within a
time limit.

Simon Says: Geometry

Grade level: 2nd - 3rd Grades
Best for: Kinesthetic learners to understand basic geometry through physical
activity.
Appeal to kinesthetic learners by playing this version of Simon Says and, in the
process, improve their understanding of basic geometry.
As Simon, all your commands should require students to illustrate angles and
shapes by moving their arms. For example, ask them to make angles of varying
degrees as well as parallel and perpendicular lines. Continuously speed up your
commands — and change if they come from Simon or not — until only one student
remains and is the winner of the math game.

Geometry Scavenger Hunt

Grade Level: 2nd - 5th Grades
Best for: Applying geometry concepts in real-world contexts and enhancing
observation skills.
Organize a Geometry Scavenger Hunt where students search for real-life examples
of geometric shapes and properties around the classroom or school. This hands-
on activity helps students see the practical application of geometry.