Making First Grade Math Fun With Online Games

Kids who have completed kindergarten should enter first grade with a solid grasp of basic numerical concepts including counting, number recognition and identifying the difference between number values. First grade math builds on these concepts with the introduction of addition and subtraction as well as more advanced number relationships within base 10. Through integration of technology such as online math games, teachers can present these new ideas in a way that makes math fun and engaging for children of all skill levels.

Technology and Education

Incorporating technology into education isn't a new idea. Computers have been fixtures of schools and individual classrooms for many years, with students using them for everything from learning to type to doing research for reports. Young children are at a prime age for picking up on the skills necessary to properly utilize technology as part of their daily lives and can often adapt quickly to a virtual environment. This makes it both easy and practical for teachers to use first grade math games in the classroom. When kids engage in an online learning environment, they build skills in computer use as well as in the subject being presented, thereby gaining knowledge that they can use in both the classroom and out in the real world.

Individualized Learning Environments

One concept that keeps popping up in modern educational models is the idea of individualized instruction for students who are struggling. Advanced students also benefit from a learning environment where material is presented on their level rather than at a set pace. With a classroom full of students all approaching first grade math with slightly different skill levels and learning styles, it can be difficult for teachers to get all of the essential information across in a way that makes sense to every child. The adaptive nature of online programs and games makes them very useful when it comes to giving students an individual learning experience. Kids can play through games on their own time, progressing to the next level only when they've mastered the current one, ensuring a better understanding of each new concept.

Educational Games for Students

Educational games have always been important additions to the classroom. From games that aid in spelling and vocabulary, such as Hangman and Scrabble to games that help students learn how to think critically, like Brain Teasers to some games that help improve memory like those in which you flip cards over and try to remember where the matching card was placed, games have been an integral part of every child's educational experience. As a teacher, it is important to play games with your students to spark their interest for learning and allow your students to have a little fun in the midst of classroom work. Some might say this is not a beneficial practice to engage in with your students, but if the games you play are educational and fun, everyone benefits. These games can also be used as rewards and positive reinforcement for good behavior and good work in class.

Apples to Apples

Apples to Apples is an awesome card game produced by Mattel. This game is deceptively simple and really fun to play with groups of people, whether in class or at a party. With this game, there are two sets of cards: red apple cards and green apple cards. The red apple cards have nouns (person, place, thing, or idea) on them. These nouns are often famous people (like "Mel Gibson"), concepts (like "Feminism"), or extraordinary events (like "My High School Prom"). The green apple cards have adjectives (words that describe a noun) on them. The goal of the game is to match your red apple cards with the green apple card that is drawn. In each round, each player gets five red apple cards and a judge is appointed. That judge draws a green apple card and announces the word. Each player (the judge does not play) puts a red apple card down-face down so the judge cannot see - that pairs well with the word on the green apple card. The judge then decides who put the best word in, and that person gets the green apple card. Whoever has the most green apple cards at the end, wins. This game can get students thinking about word choice in literature and in their own writing, as well as what makes certain pairings sad or funny. Students will also learn new words by being exposed to things they are not necessarily familiar with.