Middle School Math Games For the Classroom

I build middle school math games for a living. For the past seven years I've developed them in the classroom as semester-long strategy and story-based board games that led to whopping 80% gains on state tests, and now I build them with professional software teams.

Games do and can work, but beware:

There's an awful lot on the web, but many are low-budget and you don't want your students to perceive math as cheap.

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Before we get started, it's helpful to know how math games are constructed and how they function.

Most math games simply add an animation to a math problem in a way that the two are unrelated. A horse jumps because two numbers were added correctly.
There a lots of this type, and the approach does seem to work for training multiplication tables or other basic functions. Timez Attack sets the stage for having created fascinating 3D worlds and a cute little frog for its character that seems as appealing to girls as boys.
Using conceptually disintegrated games for teaching more complex concepts may have some undesirable effects, and may cause a disconnect between the math concept and its meaning.
For deeper concepts, occasionally a game will pop up where the math concept is used in a context where the visuals makes sense. The author(s) of Math Playground, the #1 of the free web-based sites that have multiple games, have put a lot of thought into their work... where the animations frequently match the concept. Lure of the Labyrinth is a blend between the two approaches, and worth a visit for the interesting game design.
Math Snacks, put out by New Mexico State University, aren't really games, but rather videos you watch. But they are really funny, and they really work, teaching basic concepts such as ratios through exceptionally well written animated "shorts".
To take your students even deeper, look for "story-based math games" where the math concept, story and animation are all seamlessly integrated.

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Mastering Math in Elementary School

Everyone wants their children to do well in school, especially in math which seems to give people the most anxiety. There is no need to be anxious though if you use the following simple tips for studying elementary grade math.

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Repetition rules

Whether it is addition, multiplication or division a little bit each day goes a long way in developing an understanding of those particular principles.

Context is key

Show how math applies to daily life such as grocery shopping where you could count boxes of pasta, cans of vegetables and so on. Another way to explore math skills that people need in their day to day lives is baking. Following recipes can include time telling skills, fractions and more.

Let the good times roll. Many board games involve math skills but you can also make up silly songs using math that make learning very fun and enjoyable.

If you usually use worksheets try flash cards. Switching things up can make studying less ho hum so if you always use beads or cubes to count with why no try poker chips or even M&M's to stretch those math skills. A change of pace can be refreshing and therefore more interesting to learn.

Practicing math on a chalk board, dry erase board or even on paper with markers can help cement those mathematical concepts. Using different media such as bright markers give practicing a different flair so it is easier to stick with it longer.

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Basic Math DVDs Can Improving Your Math Grades

Many children don't like math simply because they struggle with it. Things like flashcards and dry memorization certainly will not capture their attention, especially if they are already frustrated and feel like they are just not good at math.

Children aren't the only ones who struggle with math. With many adults returning to school to change careers, or in hopes of bettering their chances of landing a job in this recession, they realize their fundamental math skills are rusty, and the supposedly bright industries like accounting and health care require math skills.
Luckily there are new ways of learning that were not available too many years ago. For example, there are books written just for girls to encourage them in math like the ones written by Wonder Years child star Danica McKellar with catchy titles, like Math Doesn't Suck, and Kiss My Math. But there are also video games for suitable for children, like Big Brain Academy and math DVDs.


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There are many engaging DVDs that teach basic grade level math to children, so finding something that suits a particular child's personality should be easy. For adults, internet retailers like Amazon offer many math DVDs, on a variety of subjects from basic algebra through physics and various other science specific math subjects.
For example, there is a DVD series by Jason Gibson, which has received many positive customer reviews, that covers many math subjects from fractions and pre algebra, probability and statistics, and even calculus and physics.
There are many resources available today that can help anyone learn and maybe even come to love math.

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