Math Games: Multiples and Factors (And some math menus for fun)

I create lots of games for the math that I teach my kids. These reinforce different skills and gamify math. Here are two games that I have recently created and trialed in my classroom.

Setting Up the Space & Building Success

I have been running games for about three years…and I still keep making new ones to fill gaps or refining older ones. Here is my set up that helps me decriminalize supports:

1. Dice (6-sided and 10-sided)

2. Dice mats

3. Hundreds charts

4. Multiplication charts

5. Rules and game charts

6. Scrap paper

Some students also use a calculator to check answers or reinforce skills. My classroom is a zero shame/use the supports you need to play with numbers and explore math kind of space.

For a new game, I also always model it on the board by playing against students. This allows the kids to see the game in action as well as read the instructions and connect it to other games we have played. This is also a great community builder because the kids love trying to beat me at the games! Since most of the time, dice rolls are involved, there is an element of chance—which makes me winning EVERY TIME even more delightful.

Game 1: Multiples Bingo

Multiples Bingo

You can download the instructions and the bingo sheet HERE. As the students played, they started to notice which numbers had lots of common multiples…and there was tons of practice with skip counting as well as using multiplication charts to explore multiples. There was also laughter, which always makes me happy.

Game 2: Factor Fun

Factor Fun

You can download a digital copy HERE. This game had a similar format to a rounding game we played earlier in the year, so the students understood the dynamics. Finding factors was the new challenge and they were very strategic about their moves.

If you look at the sample from above, you can see this game being played with different possible factors. The student playing this game was using a 10-sided die and wanted to try exploring different factors. This was a great student driven modification to the game.

Math Menu

A few months ago I was at a district pro-d when I was introduced to math menus created by Nat Banting. The idea is that you give a series of clues to students linked to different topics. The students then try to find an answer for each clue.

Example

Look at the menu below and try to think of a number that meets each criteria. You can use as many numbers as you want.

After you give students time to work on the menu, challenge them to solve the entire menu with the fewest numbers possible. You can unpack ideas like clue E and B prove you must have at least two numbers. Having discussions around the math language and possible solutions leads to formative assessment and developing number sense.

I decided to design a progression of three math menus that were linked to multiples and factors to use as my formative assessment while exploring these topics with my kids. You can download my three math menus HERE.

Final Thoughts

Playing games and math menus are both ways to reinforce concepts and explore with numbers. My students enjoy both pieces and have asked if they can design new games AND design their own math menus for our future topics. How can I say no?

This post also reminds me how grateful I am for the professional development I have access to in my district. I always learn something new that I can try in my practice to help build engagement with my students. I hope that you are also able to access powerful professional development either at the district level or through a PSA, because it makes teaching more fun when we can keep learning and trying new things.