Ila White 4 Win-Win Math Games

Ila White Literature Review

Title:  4 Win-Win Math Games

Author:  Marilyn Burns

Source:  http://www.mathsolutions.com/documents/WinWin_MathGames.pdf

Summary:
Marilyn Burns recommends using games to support students’ math learning.  They are ideal for students when they have extra time.  The key to making math games successful is how you introduce them and the classroom management you use to make the time truly valuable.

Math game tips:

a.      Choose games that are accessible to all students; this way students can focus on learning how to play.

b.      Play cooperatively and competitively. Cooperative games foster communication and unity while competitive games help kids learn to be graceful winners and losers.

c.       Choose games that require reasoning and chance. This helps level the playing field.

d.      Teach the game to the entire class at the same time. 

e.      Start a math games chart.  This creates a repertoire of independent math activities that students can play when they have extra time.

Four great games:

Four Strikes:  __ __ + __ __ = __ __
                        0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

You have to figure out the number for each blank.  If a correct number is guessed, write it in the correct spaces and draw a line through it.  If an incorrect number is guessed, write an X out to the side.  Four strikes – you’re out!  The answer to this problem is 35 + 10 = 45.

10s	1s
1
2
3
4
5
6

101 and Out   Draw the following game board: 

Students roll a 1-6 cube six times.  With each roll students write the number rolled in either the

10s or 1s column beginning with line 1, then 2,

etc.  After six rolls, put 0 in all the empty 1s

columns.  Next, add to find the sum.  The winner

is the player closest to 100 without going over.

To teach:  Have students discuss as a table where it would be best to put the number.  The second time playing, have each student use their own table and decide on their own.

Seven Up:  This game requires a deck of 40 cards – four each of cards numbered 1 to 10.  A regular deck with the face cards removed works well.  To play, students deal seven cards face up in a row.  They remove all 10, either individual cards with 10 or pairs of cards that add to 10.  Each time a player removes cards, they replace them with cards from the deck.  When it’s not possible to remove any more cards, they deal a new row of seven cards on top of the ones that are there.  The game ends when it’s no longer possible to make 10s or all of the cards are used up.  To manage this game, the kids are in pairs.  One partner holds the deck for the other partner.  Then they switch jobs for the next game.  It could also be played as a game of solitaire.

Target 300:  This game gives students the opportunity to practice multiplying by 10 and multiples of 10.  The object of the game is to be the player whose total is closest to 300 after six rolls of a 1-6 number cube.  The total can be greater or less than 300, or exactly 300, but players must use all six turns.  Example game:           Cindy_________Julie

                                                                        6x10 = 60        5x10=50
                                                                        1x10 = 10        3x10=30
                                                                                    70                   80
                                                                         5x10 = 50       6x10=60
                                                                                    120                140
                                                                        6x10 =  60       5x10= 50
                                                                                    180                 190
                                                                        1x50 =  50       2x50=100                                                                                    230                 290
                                                                        4x20 =  80       2x10 =  20
                                                                                    310                 310

Analysis: I use math games a lot in my classroom.  However, they can be hard to manage.  This article gave me some great management tips.  I really like the idea of a math games chart and plan to incorporate that into my classroom.