| Educational math board games have long been | | | | problem-solving and tactical abilities required to |
| used to nurture academic and social skills in | | | | perform well in this game. |
| children through an enjoyable and engaging | | | | Another educational math board game is Blokus |
| approach. Learning basic math skills such as | | | | which consists of a board of 400 squares and 84 |
| addition and multiplication tables, or even adding | | | | tile pieces in four different colors (21 differently |
| fractions and long division can be somewhat | | | | shaped pieces per color). These include: 1 piece |
| tedious and even downright difficult for some. | | | | consisting of a single tile, 1 piece consisting of two |
| Since most expert educators agree that children | | | | tiles, 2 pieces consisting of three tiles, 5 pieces |
| tend to learn and retain new concepts better | | | | consisting of four tiles, and 12 pieces consisting of |
| when the material is presented in a fun and | | | | five tiles. The object of the game is to achieve |
| engaging way, educational math board games | | | | the highest score by placing the most tiles on the |
| offer great opportunities for students to succeed | | | | board and blocking other players from placing all |
| in math and even experience a greater | | | | their tiles on the board. |
| appreciation for a subject that is feared and | | | | Each player chooses a color and the play goes in |
| hated by many. | | | | this order: blue, yellow, red, and green. After each |
| Superior educational math board games help | | | | player plays a piece from their respective |
| students remain engaged and interested in math | | | | corners, each subsequent piece must be played |
| and retain the concepts learned even after the | | | | as to touch only at the corners. This strategy |
| game has ended. These games will accomplish | | | | game calls attention to patterns. Also, players |
| many of the following things: increase students' | | | | have to try to anticipate their opponents' moves |
| enthusiasm for math; improve students' abilities to | | | | and try to frustrate their efforts to lay their |
| count, recognize numbers, compare number | | | | larger tile pieces on the board. The game ends |
| values and estimate number values; reinforce | | | | when all players are unable to lay down any more |
| basic math skills; reinforce concepts in a valuable | | | | pieces. The scoring is calculated using positive and |
| and enjoyable way; and, be geared to develop | | | | negative numbers. Then, they determine the total |
| increasingly more refined tactics for success (or | | | | area of all the unused tile pieces. |
| winning the game!) | | | | Math Smart is an educational math board game |
| As you prepare to determine if a math board | | | | which helps children to easily begin to master the |
| game is suitable for your students, you should | | | | skills of basic math. There is a Math Smart game |
| consider the following aspects: | | | | that for each of the following: addition, subtraction, |
| - Does it allow for sufficient math practice and | | | | multiplication, division, and fractions. Each game |
| review at the desired level? | | | | plays like dominos and teaches like a tutor. There |
| - Does it require excessive speed that might be | | | | are 100 durable cards in each game. Each card |
| disadvantageous to some students and | | | | has a math problem on one half and a boldly |
| advantageous for faster performing students? | | | | circled answer to a different math problem on the |
| - Does it seem simplistic enough for beginners | | | | other half. Players match the correct answer with |
| while still offering critical thinking opportunities? | | | | the matching problem while forming domino-type |
| - Does the game appear interesting to you? | | | | patterns with the cards. Math Smart is a simple |
| - Does it only require chance to be successful or | | | | and fun way to capture childrens' interest while at |
| is strategy involved as well? | | | | the same time helping them to master basic math |
| Most people are familiar with the popular board | | | | skills. |
| game, Monopoly. Yes, Monopoly is a great | | | | As children play these and similar types of games, |
| educational math board game for youngsters! It | | | | they are able to practice many fundamental math |
| consists of a board, 2 dice, tokens, 32 houses and | | | | skills in an entertaining and interactive way. When |
| 12 hotels. There are Chance and Community | | | | they enjoy what they are doing, they will want to |
| Chest cards, a Title Deed card for each property, | | | | play longer and more frequently. Games are a |
| play money and a banker's tray. The object of | | | | fantastic response to a child's desire for |
| the game is to become the wealthiest player | | | | meaningful and creative play as evidenced by |
| through buying, renting and selling property. This | | | | their degree of concentration while playing. They |
| game allows children to practice counting as they | | | | offer a varied manner in which to drill and |
| move their tokens around the board; they learn | | | | reinforce math skills other than through the |
| to estimate the number of spaces to move when | | | | conventional manner of worksheets. The use of |
| the dice are rolled; and they practice making | | | | quality educational math board games allows a |
| purchases and making change during real estate | | | | plethora of math skills to be practiced and |
| transactions. There is some chance involved but | | | | introduced in a concrete and engaging forum. |
| there is unquestionably a great deal of | | | | |