Math games in the classroom are my passion! I am convinced that every single classroom around the world should be playing math games DAILY!
Yep – daily! Math games give your students a chance to practice important foundational skills but also strengthen their SEL skills, too!
You may be using Centers in a Snap in your classroom {or maybe you’re on the fence of jumping in to use them!} Today, I’m sharing some of the most frequently asked questions I get about Centers!
Are Centers in a Snap games standards-based?
One of the questions people ask me all the time is, “Are Centers in a Snap standards-based?”
Short answer – YEP!
We already have so little time in our classrooms to fit it all in. So you immediately might think, “I have NO time to play games every single day!”
However, if you’re weaving standards throughout your games, why can’t you play games each day?
The Centers in a Snap games have a variety of math skills covered…in varying types of games. You can check out which standards are covered throughout the year for Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade.
What Kind of Games Are Included?
Each month of Centers in a Snap is filled with different types of games. No two games in a month are the same – they cover different skills using different materials.
Read on to take a peek at a few games.
Clip Cards
There are clip card games so students use a clothespin to select {and check!} their answers.
Dice Games
Dice games are easy to use but pack a big punch! What’s fun about Centers in a Snap is that I have LOTS of different dice games with lots of fun dice – from shape dice to 1-10 dice, counting by 10s dice, and more!
Spinner Games
Spinners just make games even more fun, right? Spinners are used throughout the year for Centers in a Snap – whether it’s for a spin and graph game or for just spinning a number!
Matching Games
Sometimes games don’t need fancy stuff – just some good ‘ol paper and pencils!
Tangrams
How fun are tangrams? Students use these seven tiles to create seasonal pictures. Varying levels of difficulty are included for each grade level.
How I Structure My Math Block
Each day, I start my math lesson by playing math games. Long ago, I would allow students to play games after they finished their workbook pages/activity of the day. However, I soon realized that the same students were always missing playing games!
So, I flip-flopped our lesson! Now, we begin every math block with 15 minutes of math time. After the 15 minutes is up, I ring our bell and the students know to quickly clean up and join me on the rug to kick off our lesson.
Playing games gives students a “buzz” to get learning!
How Many Students Can Play the Games?
Each Centers in a Snap game was created and arrives with materials with two players in mind. However, they can all be adapted to have more than two players. You can print out extra copies of gameboards and recording sheets in your digital downloads.
How Challenging are the Games?
Centers in a Snap games begin in September {I figured when most classrooms are ready to start games}. These are the easiest games {smaller numbers, simpler concepts, etc.} and gradually get more challenging as the months go on.
July and August games are generic so you can pop those games into any month you may need an extra game for!
How Do You Partner Kids Up?
Students have a math partner for the month {read more about organizing math centers here}. You need to choose if it’s better for you to match up your groups on behavior or ability.
I personally match up my students by behavior. This allows me to make sure that partnerships are balanced {i.e. a reader with a non-reader, patient friend with someone who may struggle, etc.}
On the flip side, the upside to matching up by ability is that you can always pull small groups over during game time to reinforce important skills.
This is totally your call – do what works for your own classroom setup.
What if I Don’t Teach in the Summer?
Centers in a Snap includes 10 months of themed games {September – June} and two months with no theme {July and August}
Each month comes with 12 games. You can slip the “extra” months of games into the other months throughout the year.
Additionally, you can use the games from the July and August mailing to share with aides or use them in your small math support groups.
UGH…I don’t want to teach the games over and over!
Not to worry – I’ve got ya covered! We repeat ourselves ALL the time so NEVER repeat yourself giving directions for CIAS!
I’ve recorded the directions to play each of the games included in your box. Your students can access the games {which are hosted on Vimeo) via a QR code or a website. If they’re unsure how to play, they can simply scan the code and listen to me tell them how to do it!
A year’s worth of access to the videos is just $59! That works out to about 30 cents a day to have someone helping you teach in your classroom!
How long do the games take to prep?
In my quest to get teachers to incorporate games every day, I knew I needed to make it easy!
When you receive your game box, it’ll take you less than one prep period to get all your games up and going. And the best part? Once you have your games set up, you’ll be set for years to come!
Do You Ship Outside the US?
I definitely can! Just shoot me an email with your address and I’ll quote you the cost of shipping.
Have any other questions? Leave a comment and I promise I’ll get back to you!
