Games for Math Workshop
Every year, I create and stock my upper elementary classroom with a variety of math workshop games that either I have made myself or that I have purchased from other Teachers Pay Teachers sellers or from a teacher store. Never, in my 30+ years as an educator have I thought, “Wow. I really wish I hadn’t made/bought that game,” because learning through playing games is optimal. So, it seems I am thankful for games for math workshop and I’m here to share those blessings with you.
My Blessings
If you’ve known me and followed me for a while, you know that I changed grade levels this year. I’ve been teaching either 4th or 5th grade since 2011, but last spring, we learned that a teacher in the gifted program would need to move to the 3rd grade because enrollment in the 4th grade was projected to be too low to support 2 classes of advanced academics. I had seniority, but something about a change really appealed to me. I went to my principal and volunteered. I think I caught her off guard, but I said, “I’ve taught the 3rd grade before. It’s been a while, but I’m ready for a change.” It was kind of funny because I was finishing the best year of my teaching career and I had recently proclaimed that I would NEVER leave the 4th grade. Never say never.
Fast forward to now. I’m incredibly thankful to be where I am. I loved 4th grade. I loved my team of teachers like family. I was worried about all of the unknowns. What if moving grade levels was harder than I’d anticipated? What if I didn’t love my new team as much as I loved my old team? Changing grade levels is hard. There’s no question about that. I’m working 7 days a week for about 12 hours a day. However, I absolutely adore my students and my team couldn’t be more supportive. They have welcomed me with open arms and are always there to answer my questions. As a lifelong learner, I love learning and teaching different social studies and science content. It’s also fun for me to see where these students start as readers and mathematicians and knowing where they need to be at the end of the year.
Resource Giveaway
Since I’m still relatively new to 3rd grade, I’m still testing my sea legs. Therefore, I want to thank YOU with a phenomenal free resource that is perfect for 4th and 5th graders. It includes Decimal Addition and Subtraction and Prime and Composite Numbers Games AND Fraction Addition and Subtraction and Factors and Multiples Games. These are file folder games that require some prep, BUT once you prepare them, you can laminate them and they will last for years. Alternately, you can have students prepare the games for themselves. Here is the >> link << to grab them for free.
Why Games?
I mean, wouldn’t YOU rather learn or practice something in a game format? I know I would. I mean, if I’m being honest, I learned more from Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit in the 80s than I EVER learned in a history class. In all sincerity, I love games for many reasons:
- Games allow students to play with friends while learning or practicing a skill.
- Games are never the same twice. A student can play one game with one classmate one day and the same game with a different classmate the next day. Games keep things interesting. In addition, because of dice, cards, and spinners, the process and the results vary every time a student plays a game.
- Once you have made and laminated the games, they’re ready to go all of the time. You don’t have to make copies year after year.
I hope you enjoy the free games I’m offering. If you’re interested in more file folder board games, a combination of digital and board games, and/or spinner games, head on over to TpT.
Gift Card Giveaway
But wait, THERE’S MORE! You can enter a giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Teachers Pay Teachers gift card >> here!
a Rafflecopter giveawayAll of Our Blessings
Our collaborators are ALL sharing their blessings, giving away $25 TpT gift cards, and offering one, two, or even three free resources. Check out our blog hop.
