Setting up kindergarten math games doesn’t have to be a chore. There’s enough on our teacher to-do lists. So adding fussy tasks to an already long list just isn’t necessary.
To keep things simple, I started making these one-page math games years ago for our first graders. They’re so simple to prepare and once the kids understand the directions, they want to play them over and over again…
…like every day.
In my own classroom, I use them during math workshop as a way for the students to practice specific skills we’ve been working to learn. Other teachers on our team use them as math centers and we typically send them home so children can play (and review) outside of school.
DIFFERENTIATING THE MATH GAMES
Not surprisingly, we still have a few students in each classroom who need extra support and time to master some of the kindergarten math standards from the year before. Unless you’re teaching in a unicorn classroom, I bet you have a few of these students as well.
Creating new games that focused on kindergarten standards has worked very well for us and, actually, all the children have fun playing them… even those who have already mastered the skill. In fact, we often pair a competent student with one who needs extra support. It gives one student an opportunity to coach and the other student a chance to learn beside a peer.
The new GAMES became the set of kindergarten math games we still use across both grade levels.
PREPPING THE MATH GAMES
We like color. Who doesn’t? But printing with colored ink is costly, so I recommend printing your kindergarten math games on colored card stock instead. You can even laminate them so they’ll last longer.
No budget for colored card stock? No worries. Just print on regular paper and use colorful game pieces. The kids aren’t picky… they just want to play.
Each game needs a few common math manipulatives, like counters, snap cubes, or dice… nothing fancy. In fact, when we send the games home, we often tell parents to just use what they have on hand. For example, dried beans can stand in for teddy bear counters easily.
HOW TO USE THE MATH GAMES
When you’re ready to supplement your math instruction, pick a game that supports the skill you’re working on. In a whole-group setting, model how to play the game. Specifically, show the kids the parts of the sheet:
- the name of the game
- the materials needed
- the directions
- the game board
The format is consistent across all the games, so the children become familiar with the structure pretty quickly.
After you model how to play, give each student a partner so they can play in pairs. When the game is new to them, take the time to circulate around the room to answer questions or clarify any confusion. It won’t take long for them to understand the game well enough to be able to play independently.
Once the children have played the game a few times, you can add it as a math center. If you don’t use math centers though, the games also work well as:
- morning bell work
- skill review and test prep
- an activity for fast-finishers
- remedial math instruction
- math-buddy activities with an older grade level
- an academic choice for “Fun Fridays”
- at-home games for families to play together
You can GRAB THE GAMES HERE. If you teach first grade or have kindergarten students who are ready for higher level games, you can also check out MATH GAMES for FIRST GRADE PARTNERS. They’re set up the same exact way.
RELATED BLOG POSTS
FUN MATH GAMES FOR FIRST GRADE
Happy teaching!
