Math Icebreaker Games

Math Icebreaker Games
••• kacoates/iStock/GettyImages

Students often dread mathematics, so opening the first day of math class with an enjoyable math icebreaker game allows students to get to know each other and see see that math can be fun. Enjoyable math activities also show students that math is relevant to life outside the mathematics classrooms.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

Math games help students practice valuable math skills in a relaxed, enjoyable way. Some good options for math games that break the ice in a new group are Bingo, Think Fast and Fizz Buzz.

Become Acquainted Bingo

Give students a bingo card when they walk through the door. Each square of the card should contain personal data using math instead of whole numbers. For example, one square could say: "Someone who has a number of kids in the family which is divisible by three," "Someone whose last two digits in his phone number add up to a number greater than eight" or "Someone who has a number of pens in his book bag that is less than five but greater than three." Students should mingle throughout the room, seeking students who match the information on each square and recording the initials of matching students in the appropriate bingo squares.

Think Fast

Divide students into groups and tell them that the ability to multiply and add numbers quickly without paper is a valuable skill. Begin announcing mental math problems like 35 times 18 or $23.33 plus $47.08. You can assign points to the teams who correctly answer each question. The goal is to keep the atmosphere light so the groups feel comfortable yelling out answers. It is a good idea to provide prizes for the students (both the winning group and the participating groups) after the game ends.

Fizz Buzz

Fizz Buzz is a fast-paced, silly game certain to help students relax while practicing numbers analysis. The students should stand in a circle, and one student should begin by saying a number between 1 and 99. The next person in the circle says the next number in sequence, and so on. However, if a number contains a 5 or is divisible by 5, the student must say "fizz" instead of the number. If a number contains a 7 or is divisible by 7, the student must say "buzz." For example, you wouldn't say the number 35; instead you would say, "Fizz buzz." If someone makes a mistake, he is either out of the game or must accumulate a number of strikes until he is out. The last remaining player is the winner.

No matter which ice breaker math game you choose, you are certain to inspire a relaxed atmosphere and genuine enjoyment of mathematics.

Related Articles

Ideas for Math Board Games
Homemade Math Games
How to Teach Rote Counting
Fun Outdoor Math Activities
Preschool Activities for the Number 13
Kindergarten Games for Identifying Numbers 1-20
Activities for Rational Counting for Preschool
Long Division Games for 5th Graders
Math Carnival Games
What Are the Types of Technology in a Mathematics Classroom?
How to Find Free Math Worksheets for Homeschool
First, Second and Third Grade Math Games
How to Make a Math Puzzle
How to Use TouchMath
How to Explain Division to a Third Grader
First Day of Math Class Activities
Dice Games to Teach Multiplication Facts
Problems With Number Recognition in Kindergarten
How to Study Times Tables
How to Help a Child Memorize Multiplication Tables

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!