Math For Kids: 3 Games That Use Math Manipulatives to Make Math Fact Practice a Bit More Fun

I have a girl who HATES practicing math facts. She is surprisingly good at using them in math problems, but she complains loud and long when it is time to practice them. One of her favorite questions is "Why do I have to practice math facts?" My answer "They are the basis, the foundation, for lots of the math you do. It will be tons easier and faster if you memorize the facts so you can just use them when you need them." I'm not sure she is convinced that I am totally accurate, but she has at least learned that her complaining won't do any good so she has decided to just practice. I have tried hard to come up with fun ways to make that practice a bit more bearable. Here are 3 of our favorite ways to practice math facts. Enjoy!

Sticker Facts:

Supplies: Stickers (I like the foam ones with the peel off back because they stand up better-I leave the back on so they can be reused) individually numbered 1-10 (or however high you want to practice), small white board, fun colored white board markers, (you can use paper and regular markers or gel pens if you want a hard copy of the practice), eraser

The directions are really simple:

1. Place the stickers number side down on the work area.

2. Tell kids what operation you want them to practice, (If you are doing subtraction or division remind them where the larger number needs to go).

3. Show the kids how to turn two stickers over and use the numbers on them to create a fact problem. (If you turn over 1 and 2 your problem would be 1+2=)

4. Write the problem created on the white board and solve it.

5. Move on to the next problem.

If you are doing this at a center in a classroom setting, I would suggest splitting the kids into pairs, I usually assign the pairs and hang a little list in the center. The partners will then take turns flipping the stickers and writing the problem while the other solves it. I would also suggest having a large sized Ziploc full of the supplies each group will need ready to go so they can spread out and get started right away. Just be sure to model how to put the supplies back in the bag so it is ready for the next group.

You can also do this for practice at home, just set it up in the kitchen while you are working on dinner or somewhere you can see and interact with your practicing child. If you want to use it to complete a page of math problems for homework, just place the stickers number side up so your student can read the problem on the paper, make it with the stickers and then solve it on the white board before writing it on their paper. Somehow the use of stickers and the whiteboard makes the homework page a bit more fun!

Marshmallow Facts:

Supplies: Marshmallows (I like the bigger size in a seasonal shape), small white board with fun pens (or paper and markers, or actual math page), number chart (I like one that is fun to look at and goes 1-100), fact flash cards

You can do this 2 ways:

Number Chart:

1. Show you kids the problems you want them to do. It is easier to either use a math paper you want them to complete or the flash cards.

2. Demonstrate for them how to make the problem using the number chart and the marshmallows. If the problem is 7-5 you would cover number one through 7 on the chart with a marshmallow and then start at 7 and remove 5, leaving only 2 marshmallows. The answer to 7-5 is 2. Be sure to do an example with the operation you are using so they know to add forward on the chart for addition or multiplication or to take off the chart going backward for subtraction, I wouldn't use this activity for division.

3. Model for the kids how to either record their answer on the paper provided or to read the answer out loud if they are using flash cards, "7-5=2".

White board:

The directions are exactly the same except you won't be using a number chart, simply use the marshmallows to build the problem by either adding or subtracting according to the paper or flashcards provided.

1. Record the problem from the paper or flash card on to the white board.

2. Build the problem with the marshmallows, for 7-5 you would lay out 7 then take away 5, 2 are left.

3. Record your answer on the paper or say it out loud if you are using flashcards and then move on to the next problem.

If you are doing this in a center setting I would again assign partners and give each partner a specific role, one way to do this is to have one person put on the first number and the other put on (or take off, depending on the operation) the second number and then count out the answer together. They can take turn saying or recording the answer. Remember good modeling will really help a center run smoothly. I would also suggest making and example problem and taking a picture to place with the direction sheet in the center just in case the kids forget the procedure.

At home: Again, this activity can be a fun way to make homework more exciting. If you don't have a number chart you can just use the marshmallows to make the problems and record the answers. I like the number chart because you can physically see how the numbers fit together as you move them around.

**If you don't use candy for lessons or in your home, you could use cereal or dried fruit pieces or even fun seasonal shapes for the counting.

Make Your Own Flash Cards:

Supplies: list of facts you want made into cards, 3x5 cards, pencils or markers, fun manipulative (I like seasonal candy, so for this I used conversation hearts, but you can use whatever you like, stickers, animal figurines, pom poms, cubes....)

Directions:

1. Show students your list and explain that they will need to make one card for each problem.

2. Physically demonstrate how to write the first problem, only one, one the blank card.

3. Then explain that they can use the manipulative provided to make the problem and figure out the answer. (4x3 would be four groups with 3 of the manipulative in each group equals 12 of the manipulative so 4x3=12).

4. Remind them to write the answer of the card when they are done.

5. Once the whole list has been copied onto individual cards, have the kids say their cards out loud so they can practice saying their facts and hearing the answers.

In a center: Each student needs to make their own set of cards so you can either have one large basket of the manipulative and a large stack of cards and model how to take turns passing out the supplies, assign a person to pass out the supplies in each group, or have individual bags of supplies ready for each student at the center. Remind the kids to help and encourage each other. When they are done have them use their cards to help each other practice saying their facts fast.

At home: This can be a fun way to get "math minutes" homework done and can provide you with a resource to take with you in the car or at the store, any time you know you'll have a few minutes to wait, just pull them out and practice. A set of cards they made gives kids a sense of ownership and confidence about their practice.