After teaching for many years, I have learned several ways to use games in the classroom. Games are a good way to get kids motivated to practice skills, and they hardly realize they are learning. These can also be used at home with your own kids. They can be used with any subject and require a minimal amount of materials. Usually the only materials needed are paper, index cards, construction paper, markers or crayons, pencils, scissors. Sometimes dice and game markers are also used.

None of these games are my originals. They are well-known, common games that I have adapted to classroom use.

BINGO

This can be used with math facts, spelling words, vocabulary words, or just about anything else you can think of.
(Any number of players. If only two players, take turns calling.)

1. Make a 5x5 grid on paper. The blocks should be no smaller than 1 square inch. Make grids for every player.
2. Each player puts the answers at random in the blocks, making sure to label the free spot in the middle.
(This way no two grids are alike.) There should always be more answers than spaces. If not, everyone will win!
3. Cut out small pieces of paper for markers. At school I pass out colored construction paper. We make markers to go with the colors of the season, such as red and green for Christmas.
4. Make a master list of answers. These could be words or math problems.
5. The caller says a word or a problem.
6. If the players have that answer, they cover it.
7. The first player to have 5 spaces covered across, up and down, or diagonally, is the winner. That player gets to be the next caller.

(Variation: Have a smaller grid with only 3x3 spaces. This would be better for younger children.)

FOUR SQUARE

(Two players or two teams.)

1. Draw a master grid on a large piece of construction paper or tagboard. It should have 25 blocks, 5x5.
2. Make markers out of construction paper in two different colors.
3. Create a list of words, questions, or math problems.
4. The caller asks a question. Player #1 answers. If he is correct, he/she gets to place a marker anywhere on the grid.
5. Player #2 is asked a question. If he/she is correct, he/she places a marker of the other color.
6. The object of the game is for one color to get four in a row, while at the same time preventing the other team from getting four in a row. It can be across, up and down, or diagonal.
7. The first person or team to get four in a row is the winner.

(Variation: Make a smaller version of the game by using a tic-tac-toe grid.)

CONCENTRATION

(Two players. Can be used with spelling words, math problems, or any other subject.)

1. Each player makes 20 cards out of construction paper. Plain or colored index cards may also be used.
2. With a marker or crayon, write a word on each card. Make sure the word doesn't show through on the other side.
3. When both players are ready, they shuffle their own cards and place them face down in 4 rows of 5 in front of them.
4. Player 1 picks one of his cards and one of the opponents. If they match, he keeps both cards. If not, they must be placed face down exactly where they were.
5. If the cards match, that player may keep picking until he misses.
6. Player 2 does the same thing.
7. When all the cards are gone, the player with the most cards is the winner.

BOARD GAME

(2-4 players.)

1. Get a large piece of construction paper or tagboard.
2. Draw a game board pattern of anything you would like on it. It could be a pathway of squares or a curved path.
3. Number the blocks on the path from 1 to 50. But at random, place an "x" instead of a number. There should be at least 10 "x's" on the board.
4. Have a prepared set of questions, words, or problems. Players need a marker and a set of dice.
5. Caller asks player 1 a question. If she answers it correctly, she rolls the dice and moves that number of spaces.
6. The same procedure goes for player 2.
7. If a player lands on an "x", they must go backwards to the last "x".
8. The first player to reach the finish block is the winner. They must have an exact roll to land on the finish or stay where they are.

I hope your children enjoy these games. They are tried and true in the classroom. My students are always asking me to play these games. We use them to practice math facts, spelling words, and to review for tests. Learning can be fun and games!

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Credits: Inez Haythorn