Third grade is a big year for math and introduces concepts that help kids prepare for success in higher-level math. Math games are important in helping 3rd graders learn. At this stage, children are solidifying their understanding of basic math concepts and expanding into the next level, and using games makes learning fun, interactive, and effective. Games not only add fun to learning but also help kids understand concepts better than traditional methods. In this article, we will explore various types of math games and activities to help third graders learn and enjoy math more.
Why math games for 3rd graders
In third grade, kids lock in addition and subtraction skills but also begin working with multiplication and division, place value, rounding and estimating, measurement, fractions, early geometry, and algebraic thinking. An article, “Common Core 3rd Grade Math Concepts,” by Katie Wickliff, posted to Dreambox by Discovery Education, discusses basic third-grade math expectations. Here’s why using math games in learning is helpful:
- Enhanced Understanding: Games provide a hands-on approach to learning, which can make abstract concepts more tangible and easier to understand.
- Improved Retention: By associating learning with enjoyable activities, children are more likely to remember what they have learned.
- Increased Engagement: Games can capture a child's interest in a way that traditional worksheets might not, keeping them motivated and eager to learn more.
- Social Skills Development: Many games require teamwork or competition, fostering social interaction and cooperation among peers.
For more insights into the benefits of educational games, visit “The Benefits of Educational Games for Children” from Sparx. Also, Let’s Go Learn, in “Gamification in Education” says, “By integrating game-like features such as points, levels, badges, leaderboards, and challenges into educational activities, gamification seeks to make the learning process more enjoyable, interactive, and immersive." And a separate post from the same source titled, "Improving Mathematics Performance Through Gamification", says, “In mathematics education, gamification has the potential to turn harder concepts into interactive challenges that students find not only comprehensible but also enjoyable and fun.”
Types of math games for 3rd graders
There are many kinds of games, and kids can learn different math skills while having fun. Here are some popular types of math games:
- Board Games: Classic board games like "Math Bingo" or "Sum Swamp" help kids practice addition, subtraction, and multiplication in a fun way.
- Card Games: Games such as School Zone’s Math War Multiplication Game Cards or Uno can help with numbers and math skills.
- Workbooks with Game like Activities: School Zone’s Big Codes, Puzzles & More Workbook for ages 6-8 includes codes, crosswords, word searches, games, and more that help build multiple skills in math, reading, and overall reasoning/logic. Here are all School Zone’s third grade math products. Many of the 64-page math workbooks include game-like activities mixed with other strategies for learning math concepts.
- Digital Apps: Apps like "Mathletics" or "Prodigy" provide a modern way to play with math through interactive challenges and puzzles. School Zone’s Anywhere Teacher app for ages 2-8 includes multiplication word problems and quite a few multiplication and division activities that have a game-like look and feel. Fractions, too.
Each type of game offers unique benefits, while also sharing some common strengths:
- Board games help kids think and work together.
- Card games are also collaborative, great for quick math practice, and can be played anywhere.
- Digital apps offer personalized learning experiences and instant feedback.
Engaging math games and activities
It's important to keep kids interested in math for their success. Engaging math games have features that keep kids interested:
- Interactive Gameplay: Games where kids solve puzzles or challenges keep them active.
- Clear Goals and Rewards: Clear goals and rewards can make kids want to keep playing.
- Variety: Different games keep learning fun.
Though geared toward slightly older kids, for insights into creating engaging learning activities for virtually any age, check out “15 Active Learning Strategies and Examples” from SkillsHub.
By incorporating these elements, math games can transform the learning experience from a chore into an adventure, making math a subject that kids look forward to exploring.
Math color by number
Math color by number activities are a fun way to mix art and learning, making math practice more fun for kids. While we tend to think of this as an activity for younger kids, suggested age levels partly relate to the complexity of the design vs. the size of the numbers. And color by number using equations further ups the game. Both types are available for purchase from the Teachers Pay Teachers website. Or check out Color by Math: Multiplication Times Tables from 1 to 12 coloring workbook or Color by Math Multiplication & Division workbook for kids 8-12. The color by number equation approach allows children to solve math problems to color a picture, mixing art and math.
Here are some benefits of math color by number activities:
- Enhances Engagement: Adding art keeps kids interested.
- Improves Concentration: Solving and coloring helps kids focus.
- Reinforces Math Skills: Doing these activities often helps kids learn math basics.
- Boosts Confidence: Successfully completing a picture can give children a sense of accomplishment and increase their confidence in math.
Combining art with math not only makes learning more fun but also helps children develop a positive attitude towards math.
Algebra practice problems
Getting ready for algebra involves developing algebraic thinking. Check out “9 Ways to Promote Algebraic Thinking in the Early Grades” from We Are Teachers. Of note, it says, “Much of math, and especially algebra, is based on patterns. Help young learners begin looking for patterns all around them.” One of their suggested activities is the Pattern Museum. The article also notes, “In algebra, X is often used to represent an unknown,” and activities like their “Mysterious X Number Riddles” definitely adds a game-like feel to calculating the value of X.
Worksheets can be integrated into games, and “7 Ways to Make Worksheets Engaging and Fun” from Cool Cat Teacher Blog, suggests how. They say, “Strategies like reciprocal learning, showdown, quiz trade, Kahoot!, flash card game, group contest, and scavenger hunt can make worksheets more exciting.” In third grade algebra problems help kids get ready for future math, and the goal is to make algebra easy and fun. One worksheet resource, perhaps for combining with those earlier game-like strategies, are Free Printable Algebra Worksheets for 3rd Grade from Quizizz.
Here are some ways algebra practice problems can help kids:
- Develops Logical Thinking: Solving algebra problems needs logical thinking, an important skill.
- Prepares for Advanced Math: Learning basic algebra early helps with harder math later.
- Encourages Problem Solving: Algebra problems often involve finding unknowns, which helps kids think and solve problems.
- Builds Confidence: Solving algebra problems makes kids more confident and ready for harder math.
By incorporating algebra practice problems into their learning routine, children can gain a deeper understanding of math concepts, setting them up for success in the future.
Early geometry concept practice
The Math & Reading Help website says, “Third graders identify and compare shapes, calculate perimeter and use multiplication to find the area of a rectangle.” The site further notes that “In third grade, students name and describe a variety of 2-dimensional shapes. They then compare the shapes using the number of sides and angles.”
Basic geometry benefits kids the same ways as algebraic thinking does, of course, using different principles and operations, plus it enhances their understanding of object properties. Knowing, for example, that parallelograms, whether square, rectangle, or rhombus, have parallel sides expands both vocabulary and overall knowledge. K5 Learning offers these 3rd grade geometry worksheets.
The benefit of interactive learning
Interactive activities, including gameplay, play a crucial role in children's education. They transform traditional methods by making lessons more engaging and participatory. Here are some key benefits of interactive learning:
- Enhanced Engagement: Interactive games get kids' attention better than old teaching ways.
- Immediate Feedback: Games and other interactive learning activities often give quick feedback, helping kids fix mistakes and learn.
- Active Participation: Students are not passive recipients of information; instead, they engage actively, which fosters a deeper learning experience.
- Adaptability: Interactive games can be tailored to suit different learning styles and paces, ensuring that every child can learn in a way that best suits them.
For more insights on the value of interactive learning, explore “Embracing Interactive Learning: Enhancing Education for Today's Learners” from eLearning Industry.
Math games are great for making learning fun, interactive, and effective. By incorporating games into the curriculum, kids can learn math well while having fun.
To further support your child's learning journey, check out the School Zone website. Our digital learning apps and interactive games are designed to add to regular learning, giving a full learning experience. Additionally, the Anywhere Teacher subscription online learning program provides access to a wealth of resources, making sure kids keep learning.
By integrating these tools into your child's education, you can help them do well in school and love learning.
