Practice addition and subtraction in fun and engaging ways to help your students build their skills. Worksheets are necessary sometimes, but there are a variety of other ways children can work on addition and subtraction. Playing games with cards or with dice is an exciting way that adds variety each time a game is played. Students also learn more when they move, and you can use a worksheet and allow your students to move. You can use a spinning wheel with numbers to add and subtract. Bingo is also a favorite with students, and it can be used to practice addition and subtraction without relying on a worksheet.
Have you ever considered using a classroom transformation to have your students practice addition and subtraction? It is a fun and engaging way to use the strategies you are working on in your class. This math activity will be loved by your students and you! This FREE Zoo Classroom Transformation can be used during a one day math activity or can be used as a game throughout the week during your math centers. It is an engaging activity that is simple to prep so your students can practice addition and subtraction within 20. Type your name and email in the boxes, and I will send it to your inbox.
Use Dice Games
Dice games are a fantastic way to practice addition and subtraction in an interactive manner because they can be so simple. The best part is that they are also so versatile and can be adapted to your needs. If you want to practice one digit addition, roll them together and then add them. Practice one digit subtraction by rolling them together and subtracting the smaller number from the larger number. When you are working on two digit addition, you can roll both dice together to form a two digit number. Write the number down on a whiteboard or piece of paper. Then roll the two dice again to form a second addend. Add both numbers together. If you want to practice three digit addition or subtraction, then use three dice.
This game can be played individually or with a partner. If the game is played individually, then the student rolls the dice to get each number. Students can play it with a partner by taking turns rolling the dice. If you are working on addition, make it addition problems, or if you are working on subtraction, make it subtraction problems. You can make this game competitive by awarding points for correct answers or make a time limit for each round.
Use Card Games
Card games offer endless possibilities for practicing addition and subtraction. One popular game is “War” where players draw two cards each and add or subtract the numbers to determine the winner of each round. For instance, if one player draws a 7 and the other draws a 4, they can either add (7 + 4 = 11) or subtract (7 – 4 = 3) to compare values. The player with the higher or lower value wins the round, depending on the rules set. If they both get the same answer, they repeat the process again to see the winner.
Another game you can play with cards is for each player to draw two cards. Each player arranges the cards to make a two digit number. Then they each share the number they arranged with their partner. After the numbers have been shared, they will add or subtract the two numbers. When they each have an answer, they compare to see if they both have the same answer. This can also be played the same way with 3 cards.
Put Problems Around the Room
When your students need to move, cut up a worksheet with addition or subtraction problems and put the problems around the room. This way you don’t have to come up with your own problems, but this is better than a typical worksheet and gets them moving. Have your students use their whiteboard and marker. Then instruct them to move around the room to solve the problems and write their answers on the whiteboard. This activity is something unique and allows students to collaborate and discuss solutions with their peers.
Try a Spinning Wheels
Do you have a spinning wheel in your classroom? It can be used to practice addition and subtraction. Put numbers into each section and spin the wheel twice to get two numbers. You can choose to use one-digit, two-digit, or three-digit numbers according to what you are working on in your classroom. Decide if you are adding the numbers together or subtracting the smaller number from the larger number. If you don’t have a spinning wheel in your classroom, you can try these spinning wheels.
Play Bingo
Children love to play Bingo, and it changes answering math problems into something more exciting. Create Bingo cards with equations instead of numbers. Call out answers to the addition or subtraction problem and have them find the equation that goes with the answer and cover the Bingo square. The first player to get a straight line either across, down, or diagonal calls out “Bingo” to win the game. If you want some addition bingo cards from +0 to +10, you can try these cards. They will help your students with their addition within 20 skills.
Incorporating games and interactive activities into math instruction can enhance student engagement and foster a deeper understanding of addition and subtraction concepts. By utilizing dice games, card games, movement activities, spinning wheels, and Bingo, teachers can create amazing learning experiences that make math enjoyable. Try these exciting alternatives instead of worksheets, and you and your class will love to practice addition and subtraction.
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