Sometimes you need some games for guided math and small groups, sometimes you need math games for the whole class. It can be challenging to get the whole class engaged at one time but with a little planning, you can play these math games with your classroom and have every student thanking you for it!
BINGO Math Games for the Whole Class
BINGO is one of those timeless classics that every student can get into. This game is also a great choice for teachers because there is little to no instruction and it can be adapted to any skill level. Students get a BINGO board (or create their own) and the teacher simply calls out or displays questions one at a time. Students can complete the problem and then put a dot on the answer if they have it on their board.
There are many ways this can be adapted to your classroom. You can adapt the questions, the BINGO board options or allow students to work in partners.
The Unfair Game: An Adaptable Math Game for the Whole Class
This game is so unfair!! Students will love to hate this hilarious game that can be adapted to any subject. The unfair game can be played one of two ways:
With Points
In this edition of the unfair game, students play in two teams. The game is played with points but the points are a mystery. You start the game with a gameboard similar to Jeopardy but there are just question numbers – no categories and point values.
How to Play with Points
Students in Team A choose a number, answer the question and if they get it right get to choose whether to keep the points or pass them. Students don’t know what the points will be prior to making this choice. It’s so UNFAIR! Sometimes the points are worth zero or negative points, sometimes they are worth a random amount of points. So it is literally ALL fun and games and luck!
With Prizes
Instead of points, play with prizes if you are near a holiday season or at the end of the school year. You first need to get (or create some prizes). Create several different class passes as prizes and/or buy some things students might like. For class passes choose to have prizes such as choose your seat, listen to music while you work, extra 5% on a test, etc. When buying prizes for students, keep it simple. Students love simply prizes. I have purchased things from the dollar store like bouncy balls, noise putty, Takis or football shaped drinking glass. The students went nuts. They totally loved these interesting and out-of-the-ordinary teacher picks!
How to Play with Prizes
In this version, you need to create a grid on a whiteboard and list each prize separately. It is up to you how many prizes you choose based on your class size. Students play independently in this way (no teams). You can use an online spinner LIKE THIS ONE to pick a random student each time. Or you can make it a LITTLE MORE fair by picking students one at a time and ensuring everyone is chosen an equal amount of times.
If a student is called and they get the question correct, they get to write their name in a box for the prize they would like to win. On the next students turn, if they get it right they can right their name in a new box or erase another students name and “steal” that prize. That’s why it’s so unfair! Students continue until there are no questions left. At the end of the game, whoever has a name in the box wins that prize.
Additionally, make this more unfair by wrapping the prizes or putting them in bags. In this way, no one ever knows what they’re getting. Try making it a little more fair by making small goodie bags for the rest of the students who won nothing. You could even play where there are enough prizes for everyone.
Want to play The Unfair Game in your class?
You can create your own “unfair game” or use the template below. Adapt this blank template to any topic or grade level. Try out The Unfair Game this holiday season here:
