Building Mathematical Understanding and Fluency Through Games- Ms. Kulikowsky

"Developing computational fluency is an expectation of the Common Core State Standards. Games provide the opportunity for meaningful practice. The research about how students develop fact mastery indicates that drill techniques and timed tests do not have the power that mathematical games and other experiences have. Appropriate mathematical activities are essential building blocks to develop mathematically proficient students who demonstrate computational fluency. Remember, computational fluency includes efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility with strategies."

Van de Walle & Lovin, Teaching Student-Centered Mathematics Grades K-3, pg. 94.  Russell, 2000.


Here are some advantages for integrating games into our Mathematics block:

• Playing games encourages strategic mathematical thinking as students find different strategies for solving problems and it deepens their understanding of numbers.

• Games, when played repeatedly, support students’ development of computational fluency.

• Games provide opportunities for practice, often without the need for teachers to provide the problems. Teachers can then observe or assess students, or work with individual or small groups of students.

• Games have the potential to develop familiarity with the number system and with “benchmark numbers” – such as 10s, 100s, and 1000s and provide engaging opportunities to practice computation, building a deeper understanding of operations.

• Games provide a school to home connection. Parents can learn about their children’s mathematical thinking by playing games with them at home.