Area Invasion! A Math Board Game

A new board game is ready to go! This new Area Invasion game is my first game that focuses on a geometry concept. This post explains the rules and how to play! You can get a copy of Area Invasion at the following link.

Area Invasion! A Math Board Game

Materials: The game includes a game board, four different sets of 22 Area Cards (Rectangle, Parallelogram, Triangle, and Trapezoid), 21 Circle Slide Cards, Teacher Instructions and Rules, a Student Worksheet, and an Answer Key.

The game begins with each player on the "START" space. On each player's first turn, they can choose any type of Area Card. If they are able to correctly find the area of the shape on the card, they move ahead as many spaces indicated on the card. Once they are off of the "START" space, they must start each turn by drawing an Area Card that corresponds to the shape of the space that their game piece is on. For example, if they are on a trapezoid space, they start their turn by drawing a Trapezoid Area Card. If they are able to find the area of the trapezoid on that card, they move ahead the number of spaces it says on the card! The picture below shows one of the easier and more difficult problems for each type of shape.

 

If at any time a player lands on a "Circle Slide" space, they immediately draw a Circle Slide Card. If they are able to find the area of the circle on the card, they get to move ahead on the slide (the arrow on that space). If they get the problem wrong, they stay at the space they are on. On their next turn, they would then take whatever shape is on that space. One of the easier and more difficult Circle Slide Cards are shown below!

First person to reach the Finish space wins the game! I hope your students enjoy playing!

If your students enjoyed this game, they may also like playing the following board games. Each of these sets are at a discount when purchased as the bundle.

Fractions and Decimals Board Game Bundle

 

Fractions and Decimals Board Game Bundle (Negative Number Edition) 

Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities Board Game Bundle

Using Games in the Math Classroom

As my teaching career has evolved, so have my classroom procedures, routines, and teaching style. However, one thing that has remained constant is the goal of creating or finding math activities that make math fun for my students. It is only natural then, that math games are a central them in my classroom. Whether it is in partners, small groups, or as a whole class, math games can be a great way to get students learning and practicing math, while also having fun! Below are some of the games that are either new or have become staples in the math classroom.

1. Product Game
This game has A TON of strategy involved. It is a great way for students to practice their basic math facts and is way more fun than just practicing with flash cards. The best part... you can try this one out for free at the NCTM Illuminations website! Click HERE to give it a try!

2. Fractions and Decimals Board Games
Up until this year, I hadn't really tried using board games that often with my students. After introducing these fraction and decimal games earlier this school year, I am wishing I would have done this sooner in my teaching career! Kids have responded really well to these games. This bundle includes a little bit of everything when it comes to fraction and decimal operations. There are six different games included that focus on either adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing fractions and decimals. You can click on the link below to check them out!

Fractions and Decimals Board Game Bundle

3. Siega

In my third year of teaching, it was a student that recommended playing this game. He had come from another district, where his teacher had taught his class what he called "Siega." Although it isn't math related, the strategy is great. Students start with three counters on their side of the board. They take turns moving one of their counters to an open spot that is touching (directly or diagonally) its current spot on the board. A player wins by getting their three counters in a straight line (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally). However, the straight line cannot be in the original spot where the counters started. Play this a few times and students will quickly learn how they can "trap" the other player!

4. Math Bingo Games
Who doesn't like to play bingo? Whole group bingo games can be a fun way to practice different math skills. I like using the Squares and Square Roots Bingo game (linked below) in particular when we first cover exponents and square roots. It is a fun way for students to practice these skills and it can help these concepts "stick" that much more!

Squares and Square Roots Bingo 

Whether it is math games or other engaging math activities, making math interesting and fun for students can have a long-lasting effect, helping to shape a positive attitude of students towards math!

Middle School Math Man's Favorite Things Giveaway

1. Favorite Holiday Activity

When it comes to the holidays, spending time battling the family in board games often tops the list of things to do. Whether it means breaking out a classic like Monopoly with the nephews or some Ticket to Ride against the in-laws, there is never a shortage of board game competition! This isn't very surprising, coming from someone who once played himself in Monopoly as a kid because all his friends and family were so sick of playing and more recently, played 17 games of Catan in two days... :)

2. Favorite Math Activity

Sticking with the board game theme, I discovered a new student favorite this year in middle school math. These new Fraction and Decimals Board Games have been a huge hit with students and are a fun way to practice different operation with decimals and fractions. In each of these games, students answer math problems as they work their way around the board. You can click HERE to see a blog post with some more information about how the games work!

3. Favorite Teacher Tool

When it comes to teacher tools, I've got to go with dry-erase paint. The $25 spent on this paint from Home Depot each year is the best $25 I spend in my classroom. I have seen increased engagement (who doesn't want to do math on a table?) and it works perfect as a table for the teacher center of math workshop. If you are interested in trying it out, be sure to click on the blog post below that details the whole process!

Creating My Dry-Erase Table for Math Workshop

Don't miss my giveaway!

For a chance to win a $10 TpT gift card and a pack of Expo Dry Erase Markers, be sure to do the following two things:

1. Comment on this post with your favorite holiday activity! 

2. Follow my weekly newsletter by clicking HERE (and also receive a task card freebie!). If you already follow my newsletter, than you only have to comment on this post to be entered. A winner will be chosen on Monday, December 18th at 8pm EST. Good luck!

Now it's time to hop over to Scaffolded Math and Science's blog to enter another giveaway! 

Giveaway ends Monday December 18, 2017 at 8PM EST!