Take Five is a simple game that encourages practice with operations. The teacher randomly chooses five numbers from one to ten, usually by picking cards with the numbers on them. The students try to manipulate the first four numbers to reach the fifth number, using the four operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. There are many ways this game can be adapted to different circumstances. The students can play the game individually or in teams. Exponents can be allowed if the students are familiar with them. Also, the teacher does not have to stick to the numbers one to ten. This game can be used to review operations before a test, or as a brain warmer exercise at the start of class.
In Brainiac Baseball, the students are divided into two teams. The first team chooses a level of difficulty from one to four, then are asked a math question matching that difficulty. If the students answer correctly, they get a single, double, triple or home run, depending upon the difficulty. If they are incorrect, the other team gets a chance to answer the question for an out. After three outs it is the other team's turn. This game can be adapted easily to any subject or any difficulty level. If baseball is not in season, the game can be turned into Brainiac Basketball, using free throws, field goals and three-pointers, or football, using safeties, field goals and touchdowns.
Memory Math is like the typical game of Memory, except that items that are uncovered are mathematical expressions instead of pictures. Students, in teams or as individuals, pick any two randomly placed cards and turn them over, then decide if the mathematical expressions on the cards are equivalent. If the team correctly decides the expressions are equivalent, they keep the cards. The team with the most cards at the end of the game wins. If the team incorrectly states the expressions are equal then the cards go to the other team. The cards are simply turned back over if the team says that they are not equivalent. This game can be used for practice with simple operations, fractions, decimals or many other math concepts.
Many board games can be adapted to the math classroom. Simply require the students to answer a math question before moving their playing piece. If Trivial Pursuit is used, the questions can be modified into math topics such as fractions, probability, etc. Questions for any board game can be adjusted in difficulty level.