Math Games Library, Part I

I mentioned our math games library in Around the Room Organization. This library is for our Everyday Math games. This was part of a summer project and I ended up making game baskets for different grade levels: 2nd (pink), 3rd (yellow), 4th (green), and 5th (blue). In case you are wondering about the photo above, I had removed the closet doors (which were old and falling apart) to free up some space.


For each grade level, I looked at all of the games available in the book. I then sorted them by subject (you can see Place Value and Decimals/Percents in this picture). I thought this would make it easier when the students and I were looking for games in certain areas of math. This is also a way to differentiate. For instance, there are a variety of games on multiplication in grades 3, 4, and 5. This is ideal for my very diverse learners. Some of my ELL students come with very little formal schooling, while others are right on grade level in math, they just acquiring the academic language of math in English. I like that all students can play a game on a subject we're studying in math, at the level they need.

Once I had grouped out the games into different areas of math, I drew a map of the entire library. I then numbered the baskets in order, all throughout the library. This is not my original idea, I was inspired to number the library from the Daily Cafe. Please see below for the basket labels:






Pink 1
Pink, Yellow 2
Yellow 3
Yellow 4
Green 5
Green 6
Green, Blue 7
Blue, 8
Blue, 9
All Green, Blue (in a Word doc, so you can add your own numbers if you'd like)

For each game, I made 6 copies. I laminated them, so the kids would be able to write on them with dry erase markers.

Then, I put a single game set inside a sandwich baggie, with a label. These labels indicate the game title, basket number the game belongs in, and any materials the students will need to play the game.





Click here to access the game stickers, as shown above. Stickers will print on 2" by 4" labels.


Tomorrow, I will share more about how the game directions, manipulatives, and playing cards are stored. I won't be posting until the evening, as we head back tomorrow.

To those going back to school as well, good luck!