How To Make a Math Board Game

Objective There are many ways to make learning fun and many good reasons for doing it. Kids are much more likely to become engaged in a lesson when the lesson doesn't seem like learning. This is especially important in a subject such as math which does not always appeal to kids. Make a math board game to help you combine learning and fun. Board games are fun, educational and hands-on, which makes them physically interactive.

MaterialsCardboardColored markersYardstickNote cardsDicePlaying piecesOther

Instructions1. Create rules for your board game. You need to know how many players, how many dice (if any), how many cards (if any) or any other pieces you may need. Use your imagination. Include your children in the decision-making. Remember that you are creating a game for math, so be sure to incorporate mathematics in the rules.2. Find ways to make yourself laugh in the game. This could be a rule that states that if a player answers a question incorrectly, they have to go to the "principals office." Making sure that there is laughter will allow for some fun, and that means that you will want to play again. For educational value, playing again is important.3. Begin to create your board. Use your ideas from step 1 and put them together. Get the card board or form board and measure the dimensions you'd like your game to be and cut it out. Then, using drawing supplies, draw on sheets of paper to create the actual board game. When you are finished, glue these sheets onto the card board. There are also pre-designed layouts for board games online, such as the one at All-a-board! Be sure to incorporate math in your designs.4. Create your game tokens, which the players will use to mark their positions on the board. You can use printed out pictures of every player's face, or draw your own. Use bristol board for the characters instead of printer paper, because it is stronger and can stand on its own. Before you cut out the picture, include a tab at the base. Cut this tab up the middle, stopping when you reach the bottom of the image, creating two halves. Push one half backward, and one half forward and put glue on the base of them. 5. Use index cards to write math questions. Use math homework or questions off of math tests your children have brought home. Color code them with circles. For instance, if the player lands on a blue square, that played must pick up a blue circle card and get the answer right before they are allowed to play their next turn. If they get it wrong, they will be penalized. Have fun deciding what their penalty is.6. Make up silly rules. Again, this is so kids will want to play the game. For example, a bonus could be earned by answering the question while hopping on one leg.7. Decide how you can win. Will the player end on a certain square, or will there be a time limit? It's your personalized game, so make sure it is something everyone can agree on.

Math ConceptsLiteral equationsInequalitiesMulti-step equationsPythagorean theoremSimilar trianglesScientific notationPEMDASPercents

Math ConceptsUnit conversionsMeasures of central tendencies (mean, median, mode, range)Box-and-whisker plotsConstant rate/changeSlopeSlope-intercept form (graph)FunctionsAngles in regular polygonsTransversals, vertical angles, interior angles, etc

Math Board Game Project Checklist

1. Make sure you have the rules. How many players? Pieces? How to play the game? How do you win? Bonuses? Consequences?

2. Game board. Is it creative? Does it include math? Do you have your game pieces?

3. At least 20 math questions on index cards. Did you use different concepts? Place the answers on a separate sheet of paper and make sure they are correct.

4. Is EVERYONE contributing and working together???

5. Is the project neat and COMPLETE?

Presentation

1.Give Ms. Cabezas your Rubric2.Introduce your Game Board Title3.Discuss the theme if any.4.Show all the game pieces5.Read the Rules6.Provide Feedback (at least 3).

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