• Teachers use games in the classroom to help students learn basic skills.school supplies 2 image by Lauren Ingro from Fotolia.com
  
  Elementary students learn in many ways. Teachers work hard every day to create a classroom program where there is balance between direct classroom instruction and allowing students the opportunity for interactive learning. One strategy teachers use to help their students learn basic skills in reading and math is to use classroom games. Such hands-on activity further enlivens the concepts and helps solidify your instruction.
  
  

Fishin' For Addition

• This math game from www.LearnWithMathGames.com allows students to work with their peers to memorize addition facts. Each game can be played with three or four players. The teacher begins with 20 popsicle sticks, writing a number from 0 to 9 at the end of each stick. The teacher should create two sets of 10 sticks apiece; thus, there are two sticks per number. Each player gets a laminated game card--a grid with possible sums randomly arranged. The popsicle sticks are placed in a cup between the players with numbers down. The game begins with each player pulling one stick out of the cup. The player with the lowest number goes first. That player then pulls out two sticks and everyone adds the two digits together. Students then find the square on their game card with that number and fill it in with erasable marker. Play continues until one player has marked five squares in a row in any direction.
  
  

Number Recognition

• In this card game from Top Marks, teachers play with individuals or small groups of students to help them recognize numbers. Each child has a bowl of beans or counters. The teacher holds up a card with a number. The child must count out the correct number of counters to match the number on the card. Teachers can extend this game by holding up two cards for students to add together.
  
  

Alphabet Race

• This game from Activity Village gives young learners a chance to learn and practice the alphabet in a classroom game. Each player gets a strip of laminated construction paper and has each letter printed in a line from one end to the other in random order. If you have a long enough strip, you may be able to print each letter two or three times. Each player gets a game piece. The first player rolls one die and moves ahead the number of letters indicated on the die. For example, a child landing on the letter "R" has to say the letter and its sound. An adaptation would be to have the child also say a word that starts with "R." Teachers may also include both lower- and upper-case letters on the alphabet strip so children practice recognizing both types of letters.