3 steps to help you set up math addition games for kindergarten students

Does the idea of letting kindergartners play math addition games independently make you want to leave teaching forever?

But it's possible, and the benefits are tremendous! Students will be motivated and gain practice with:

• number identification

• counting

• subitizing (being able to tell the amount without counting — just looking)

• math facts

Create and manage math addition games for your kindergarten class in 3 easy steps!

Ask yourself:

• What level of structure do I need as a teacher?

• What does this group of kindergarteners need?

Do we need a highly structured environment...

...or can we loosen things up?

Once you decide what level of structure you and your students need, you can start planning how to structure the math block, so your students are getting the most out of the games.

Note: students should be able to identify numbers, count objects, and count orally before beginning addition games.

• Build their stamina

  • The attention span of kindergarteners isn't long (about 10 minutes). But with engaging games, you can get a little more out of them. Start short and small and allow them to play a few minutes longer each week.

  • Introduce a new game whole group and then have all the students play the game (this means you will need enough materials for one game per 2-3 students).

• Choose the games carefully

  • While every once in a while you can have a game with competition, pick games in which the students are working together to beat the game. This will help keep down arguments.

  • Choose games that practice addition skills even as students get better at the game.

  • Choose games that utilize materials you already have: manipulatives, dice, etc. Keep it budget-friendly!

• Rotations/Centers

  • Once you've introduced the first game and students are fairly proficient at it, introduce other whole group games.

  • Eventually, you'll have introduced enough games that you have groups of 4-6 students all playing different addition games. Then, they can rotate from one center to the next and you can reset the clock on their attention spans!

Here are links to 4 kindergarten level addition games to get you started. These are all printable, adaptable, and teacher budget-friendly.

• All But 7

• Roll and Record

• The Racing Game

• Fill the Board

• When introducing addition concepts, stick to manipulatives (or concrete objects) for kindergarten students! Number sentences are too abstract at this age.

• Using games similar to the ones above will build students' foundational skills with addition.

• Like it quiet? Use foam dice. They also don’t travel as far or hurt as much when someone chucks it across the room in frustration.