Let the Games Begin!

“Are we playing a game today?” I will be asked this question 5-10 times in any given week. In high school math, there is little to look forward to (from a student’s perspective) than a game day (or maybe having a substitute!). There are 2 kinds of games you will find in my classroom: math games that challenge skills of the subject area, and logic games that build the logistical area of the brain. Both will improve math skills, but the logic games always seem to be more challenging and engaging.

Let’s start with the more interesting game: Set. Set is offered as a board game and online. You can subscribe to the site for a fee, or there is a free daily puzzle. While this is not a programmable game, it uses patterns and logic – both essential to problem solving in mathematics. A set is 3 objects that are either ALL different or ALL the same within 4 categories: shape, color, number, and fill. You must find 6 sets to finish the timed puzzle. Clicking on the site will clarify this more, but a set would be something like this:

The shape is all the same (diamond), the colors are all different, the fills are all different, and the numbers are all different. It takes awhile to get the hang of it, but students love it after a few tries, and the timer allows for us to have competition between classes. Every month or so, the best time wins and we start again. This creates unity in the class as well. Using the logical, problem-solving area of the brain is good practice for anyone, especially adolescents. In fact, my husband was asked to do this game on the spot in an interview for his current company. He had to complete the puzzle in a certain amount of time. Luckily, he got the job!

My second recommendation is far less fancy, but extremely practical. Although it seems like games created on PowerPoint are ‘old-school’, they also provide the ability to customize them to any grade-level, subject area, and difficulty level. I have a template for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, and we play it in class for review. 

I can post the game on my teacher site, and kids can reply/review at home because most of them have access to PowerPoint. I have also had students make up questions and I use them in the game template for the whole class. They are more engaged because they have ownership over the game. Here is a site that offers 9 templates for famous games. Check out the names in Hollywood Square – they are corny, but funny!

I am interested in suggestions for more advanced games, that is, games that are more high tech and engaging. Any suggestions?

Lastly, I strongly suggest you take a look at this article. The 'myth' section is particularly interesting. I would love to find the ideal balance of classroom 'gaming' that is both technologically advanced and incorporates movement. Having students move around the room during learning seems to be a more popular notion in recent educational discussions in my experience. Have you heard much about this motion notion?