7 Reasons Why Games Are A Powerful Learning Tool


     Some of my favorite memories as a student and a teacher center around playing games. I was a student a long time ago, but I can still remember a sunny spring day and my first-grade teacher showing us how to safely play Dodge Ball. Finding and creating content games in my own classroom made my lesson prep more enjoyable.

     Playing games is a powerful tool for students! Games are fun, and they help us learn and master skills as well as apply those skills. The longer I work with children, the more I see the value of playing games.

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     Games can give you the same great practice as the best worksheets but games are vastly superior. Here's why:

1.  Games are more engaging than worksheets. Don't we all want our students to enjoy lessons? Children are typically attracted to games and more eager to participate. 
2.  Games can address curriculum standards as well as any worksheet.
3.  They're less stressful. We usually don't grade games so that pressure is off kids. We can also make games more cooperative, so there is no winner/loser stress. Children don't have to sweat the loser label.
4.  They are new and fresh each time they're played. Especially if the game includes pulling cards randomly or rolling dice, you never know what you're going to get.
5.  Once students learn a game, they can work independently. That's great for building confidence, for the smooth flow of a classroom, and for successful centers.
6.  We can differentiate many games. I often adapted card decks, set number limits, or gave time limits to support student needs. I've also assigned different games to students based on their needs.
7.  Games are typically one-prep or low-prep. Enough said.

     I have some games to share with you here! Subscribe to my newsletter and you'll have access to my FREE Resource Library. There, you can download my Valentine Fraction 4-In-A-Row game. Complete directions are at the top of the page. Copy in color or black and white. All you have to add are number cubes and markers.


     You can find even more games in my TpT store, Growing Grade By Grade, and add fun practice to your classroom!
     I'd love to hear how games work for you! Happy Math-ing!
Growing Grade By Grade
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