Games

The Role of Games in Investigations

Games provide opportunities for students to practice important mathematical concepts and skills and to develop and deepen their mathematical understanding and reasoning. Games are not isolated activities but are important tools for learning, woven throughout the curriculum, preceded and followed by related activities. The rationale for using games is as follows:

  • Games provide engaging opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of numbers and operations, and to practice computation
  • Games encourage strategic mathematical thinking as students find an optimal way (rather than just any way) of playing the game
  • Games provide the teacher with opportunities to observe and assess and to work with individuals or small groups as other students are playing

Using Games as Tools for Learning

To make effective use of games as tools for learning, teachers need to:

  • Plan. It’s important to know the game – the math it focuses on, the materials it requires, the rules, and ways to adapt it to make it easier or harder.
  • Create a supportive classroom environment. Students need to be able to use materials responsibly, and to work both independently and cooperatively. The teacher is responsible for creating such a learning environment.