March 25th

Incorporating games into my First Grade math intervention group has been an engaging and effective way to build automaticity in math facts. It has brought energy to what can feel mundane and dry and has helped keep my students motivated—especially during thee long month of March!

In this group, my students are working on quickly and accurately recalling basic addition facts within ten. Since maintaining their attention is essential, using games has been a powerful strategy to keep them focused and excited about learning. Through interactive and playful activities, students practice their math skills in a fun, low-pressure environment, making learning both enjoyable and impactful. These games have also been simple enough to send home for additional practice with families as I get pulled for CPSE meetings and CSE meetings that interupts our typical schedule.

Below are photos from students using inquiry to find out if there are a finite number of two addend combinations to make five and ten. After discovering there were only six back and forth ways to make tens, students engaged in repetitive engaging activities where they are becoming more familiar with the friends of ten numbers.  Below you can see students engaging with games such as friends of ten tic tac toe, board games, and a game of memory. 

Students have enjoyed the digit blocks so much that we found a way to make the blocks two dimensional for at home use. 

Hi Maddy, I see how much these kids love working with you and playing these math games! It's great to see such big smiles and effective learning, all through the pedagogy of play! - Jessica  

I agree! Making learning fun through play is what kids need! Sometimes lessons can be so boring! We need to make them fun! I want to come and play with you too! Susan