• Make learning math fun with classroom games.today image by alwayspp from Fotolia.com
  
  Math is fun to learn if it is made into a game. Different school math activities can help children learn new math skills and refine the skills they already have. If you set aside a specific time each week for math games and incorporate the weekly lessons into the game, then the children may pay more attention and learn math effectively. Offer small prizes for game winners each week, such as candy bars or an A, for their math game prowess.
  
  

Math Bingo

• Use standard bingo cards to create a game of math bingo for your students. Call the game as you would a regular bingo game, with each call beginning with a letter from the word "bingo." The number would be the result of a mathematical equation. For example, if you wanted to call B4, then you could call B and the square root of 16. You can use math bingo to focus on specific themes for the week, such as fractions, multiplication, addition, division, square roots and even word problems.
  
  

Safe Crackers

• The game "safe crackers" can be used to review specific lessons from the week, or to group together multiple operations to improve student comprehension. Break the class up into teams and give each a set of mathematical problems written on a piece of paper in a sealed envelope. The answer to each of the math problems on each piece of paper is one number in the combination to the group's imaginary safe. You can use the setting of an imaginary safe in an imaginary bank to add urgency to the game. Each group must solve its math problems and determine the combination to the safe before the bank alarm brings the police. Set a time limit of two minutes for the group to solve its equations. If they cannot do it within two minutes, then the round is over. The group that solves its equations in time gets a prize, such as an A for the class. Repeat this game as many times as you want during class.
  
  

Card Games

• Flash cards can be used for math learning activities at any level. Create a series of flash cards with math problems on the front and the answers on the back. You can use the cards for a variety of classroom activities. Pair off the children and see how many flash cards each can get right in a predetermined amount of time. Allow a child to ask the questions for two minutes and mark down how many her partner gets right, and then have the children switch asking and receiving roles. Break the class into two groups, and then present both groups with the same flash card. The first group to answer the question correctly gets a point. Play up to 10 points.