Who Cares if it's Summer, or Math Games are Fun.

We did a little school Monday morning. This morning's math review is a multiplication game, and is the exact opposite of slick, professional design.  I looked for something online, but couldn't find a game like this.  This homemade game has the following features:

• Hand drawn with a Sharpie;
• Straight-ish lines made without a ruler (couldn't find one);
• Game tiles are ceramic mosaic tiles bought at Michael's;
• Game board is unlaminated construction paper; and 
• Taped to the back of a Scrabble board.

This game was primarily for Stuart, who I hope will not forget his multiplication facts over the summer.  Large multiplication table, drawn (in Sharpie!) on construction paper.  Answers written (also in Sharpie) on tiles.  Here's a bag of answers.  Find their place on the table!

Here's the end of the game.  I forgot to get a picture at the beginning, sorry.


I realized that I could include Marcus by having him take the tiles out of the bag and read out the number on each tile.  For Marcus to be able to control a game is heaven.  At least for him.






I did not anticipate the giggling.







This is such a flexible game that you could play any way you like.  I just let Marcus draw random tiles out of the bag.  After a while, he was seeking and pulling out small numbers so that Stuart could fill in the first row quickly.  You could set out just a few tiles for your student to put on the board, to concentrate on specific facts.  Like The Trickster!  (7x9=63.  Stuart gave it that name.)  I suppose I could line up the tiles in order, then have Stuart call for certain numbers (and have Marcus find them in the lineup).  So many different ways to do this.

As Stuart got near the end, Marcus was handing over the tiles too fast.  Stuart lined them up in numerical order at the bottom of the board.

I love it when my boys get along.  Especially when they're doing what I want them to do.

             

I would make this next picture the new blog banner if there wasn't stuff piled on the table behind the kids' heads.  See, Grandma, your package really did arrive!  And we have lots of books!

  

After a while, I had to give Marcus something else to do, so he started "writing a poem" on the chalkboard.

   

And...ta da!  Completed game!  (Yes, this is the exact same picture as the first picture.)



Fun was had by all.  I think they enjoyed this game more because we created it together, using simple supplies we had on hand.  I did buy the tiles for the game, but they're not what you'd expect for a game of this sort--just the best option I could find while walking around like a zombie in Michael's one evening. 

Definitely more fun than Stuart's nemesis--copywork.