TEACHING MATHEMATICS USING

COLLABORATIVE APPROACH,
GAMES AND PLAY

Math games provide a structure and process for children to engage in problem
solving in order to reach a particular goal or objective. Reaching that goal might be
challenging, but the challenge is also what makes game-playing fun. In a game, children
can play alone or with a group, they can make their own decisions about the moves
they will make, and they can play over and over again trying out different strategies.

In addition to all the foundational mathematics learning going on while they play
games, children are building their confidence as problem solvers and practicing
important social-emotional skills. Games in the preschool classroom also provide
teachers the opportunity to gain insights into children’s developing mathematical
thinking.

Persistence and problem solving Games are an ideal vehicle for children to practice
persistence and problem solving as they try out new strategies and encounter
difficulties. They can see what works and why, and try again without the pressure of
doing it “right.” Teachers can support the development of children’s persistence at
challenging games and of their confidence as problem solvers.

Social-emotional development Playing games with classmates fosters social and

emotional skills like being patient, taking turns, and solving problems collaboratively.
Games with an element of competition also give children an opportunity to practice
winning and losing graciously and with respect.

Teacher observation As children engage in game-play, preschool teachers have a

rich opportunity to observe children’s thinking, reasoning, and math skills at work. For
example, as a child moves a game piece along a number path in a board game, the
teacher can observe whether the child can recite the number sequence accurately and
maintain one-to-one correspondence.

Repetition and practice Finally, games give children repeated practice, as they enjoy
playing the same games over and over.

Introducing math games into the classroom is a great way to make learning fun,
engaging and motivating for young learners.

And the best part about starting early is that it helps your students to develop a positive
attitude toward math from an early age, setting them up for a successful academic
future.
 Hopscotch Math

Materials:

 cardboard or poster board (10 12"x12" pieces)

 marker
 small rocks, shells, or counting disks

Objective: Children will participate in a group game that encourages problem solving,
math skills, and gross-motor development.

In Advance:

1. Cut five pieces of cardboard or poster board into five squares, each about the
size of a record album.

2. Cut the other five pieces of board into triangles.

3. Number the shapes one through 10, keeping the even numbers on the triangles
and the odd numbers on the squares. (Consider making two sets of hopscotch
shapes so two groups of children can play at the same time.)

ACTIVITY

1. Show the children the squares and triangles and explain that they will be playing
hopscotch with them. The games can be played indoors or outside.

2. Begin the game by placing the shapes in a traditional hopscotch pattern (one
square, two squares, one square, and so on). Ask the children to look at the
pattern and describe what they see.

3. Give each child a small stone, shell, or counting disk to use as his hopscotch
marker. Ask the children to form a line. Remind them that they hop on one leg on
single shapes and jump to place one foot on each shape when there are two
shapes side by side. The first child will throw his marker onto one of the shapes.
He will hopscotch on the squares, jumping over (or skipping) the shape where his
marker has landed. On his way back he will pick up his marker-- so he can place
his foot onto that shape.
 4. After all the children have had a turn, invite them to add a math game. The
children can begin by subtracting the number they have landed on from the 10
shapes. For instance, if a child's marker lands on the number three square, she
will take away three shapes and then begin her jumps. (Children can also play
this game using "mental math" instead of actually removing the number of
squares.) Using extra shapes, children can turn this into an addition game: If their
marker falls on two, they would add two shapes, and so on, before beginning
their jumps.

Curriculum Connection

Art/Writing: Moving-Body Tracing Explain to the children that they will be doing body
tracing on the playground, creating poses that show movement. You may need to invite
a few children to demonstrate. Provide the children with colored chalk. Ask them to work
in pairs, taking turns tracing each other's bodies. Then ask them to use the chalk to
decorate their body shapes. Photograph their creations to document the activity. Mount
each child's photograph on a sheet of construction paper and encourage the children to
write or dictate a story about their picture. Bind their individual stories to create a class
book.
Reference:
 https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/activity-plan-
5-6-moving-math-hopscotch/
 https://dreme.stanford.edu/news/math-games-excite-young-minds