Adventures in a Messy Life

Hands on learning for active learners

  • Home page
    • Start Here
    • About Us
    • Get all of the posts now!
    • Disclosure and other blogging information
  • Homeschooling
    • Homeschool Curriculum
    • Why I homeschool (comments from a former teacher)
    • Homeschooling and the Holidays
  • History and geography
    • Ancient History Lessons
    • Modern History lessons
    • American History Lessons
    • LEGO history
  • Science
  • Bible Curriculum
  • STORE

How to quickly learn addition facts with a math facts game

July 29, 2011 Ticia 9 Comments

Ages ago when I was a teacher I made loads and loads of file folder games.  I would sit and watch Deep Space Nine on DVD and color all of those silly games, and then take them down to the teacher supply store and laminate them.  This huge stockpile of games has finally paid off in our homeschool math lessons, I was able to pull them out.

learning math facts with games

Where our math facts game came from

I started rummaging through my old teaching stuff and found this great game from Instant File Folder Games (affiliate link).  I highly recommend this book for some fun early elementary math games.  Future Ticia speaking now, sadly there are not really any GOOD books like this for upper elementary that I’ve found.  Much sadness.

 

How we used the math facts game

learning math facts with games try out different combinations

 

 

Before playing the game I set them to figuring out all of the ways they could make nine using two addends.  I put out the nine for them to build on, and they happily set to it.

learning math facts with games figure out possible combinations
Yes my boys write their numbers backwards

Eventually they had a small handful of equations that added up to 9.  Or, the boys did.  Princess on the other hand, sat there insisting she wasn’t able to do it until I showed her how it was done.  She’s going to be one I have to figure out what to do.  She’s capable but second guesses herself way too often.

math game

Eventually we got down to playing the game.  It’s quite simple, you take off two numbers that add up to 9 and go around until all of the numbers have been taken.  The person with the most numbers wins.  YEAH!

learn math facts with fun games

I’m trying to think of some other fun ones like this, any theme suggestions for making it?

math

Comments

  1. Tima says

    July 29, 2011 at 9:33 am

    I love this book. I also have the language one. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Christy says

    July 29, 2011 at 11:26 am

    Sounds like a great game.

    Reply
  3. Wonder Mom says

    July 29, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Suggestions, suggestions…

    I think making games based around favorite children's books and different seasons are ALWAYS a great way to integrate the subjects.

    Let us in on your designs when you're done! :0)

    Reply
  4. Debbie says

    July 29, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    Great Game! I wonder if Princess's little hesitation isn't like Selena's just a lack of confidence. They eventually gain their confidence and everything just clicks.

    Reply
  5. Annie Moffatt says

    July 29, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    LOVE this game:) I think we may have to try it!

    Reply
  6. Raising a Happy Child says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    I am so familiar with “can't do it” denials. Usually they disappear when there is a chance to compete, that's why games for learning are so great.

    Reply
  7. Judy says

    July 29, 2011 at 9:10 pm

    I'll have to try something like this with my son…it looks like a great way to teach addition while having fun!

    Reply
  8. The HSV says

    July 30, 2011 at 12:17 am

    I hate math – but with my visual learner we do a lot of Yahtzee !!

    Reply
  9. An Almost Unschooling Mom says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:28 am

    That looks like a fun review game!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ticia Adventures in Mommydom Hi, I'm Ticia! This is the adventures of my family in life and learning. Follow along with us as we share our adventures. We're having a lot of fun and learning as we go.

Help!!!! I need to know:

Categories

 book and a movie combo

Copyright © 2023 ·