A teacher’s time in the classroom is so limited nowadays. It is becoming more and more important to find resources that fill more than just one need. When I originally made I CAN math games, I knew I wanted a multi-purpose resource that could be used in centers, as independent work, as a whole class, and even to help me with progress monitoring. Oh, and I wanted my students to actually enjoy it!
Well, I CAN math games do all of that and more! 🙂 In this post, I am going to share with you ALL the ways I have used these math games in my own classroom. Plus, I’ll give you some tips on how to put them together so that you can easily use these games in your classroom too, and I’ll show you the digital versions.
What in the World Are I CAN Math Games?
Great question! 😉 I CAN math games are literally math games in a can. Yep, a can. I’ll get more into that later. Basically, I created 40 test-like questions that closely align with the Common Core standards for each skill. There is a separate game for each skill or concept. The questions vary greatly: computation, process questions, models, extended response questions, etc. Each question is on its own strip of paper and is placed in the can. Students can play this game by pulling a question from the can and working out the answer. If they get the question correct, they keep the card. If they get the question wrong, another student can try to solve it correctly and steal the card. The student with the most cards at the end WINS!
These games are different from most math games because the questions are rigorous and expose students to each standard in various ways. Students are not seeing the same exact problem with different numbers over and over again.
One important component of these games is that they are easy to differentiate. Each of the 40 questions comes in 2 formats: multiple choice and short answer. They also come with and without QR codes. QR codes are used in place of the answer sheet so students can check their answers using technology. I’ve even used these games to homeschool my daughter. I chose to use the short answer format with the QR codes, and she LOVES the QR codes!
Each I CAN Math Game Comes With
- 40 question cards (2 formats available: multiple choice and short answer)
- Answer keys
- QR codes for a self-checking game
- Student answer recording sheets
- A progress monitoring checklist
- A directions page
- Game covers
Why Teachers Love These Games
- There is a wide variety of question types for each standard.
- They cover ALL grade-level standards!
- It is easy to differentiate when EVERY question comes in multiple-choice format AND short-answer format.
- Students are engaged in the game and enjoy playing.
- They are simple to assemble.
- Progress monitoring is made simple with the included progress monitoring checklist in each game.
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Putting I CAN Math Games Together (5 Options)
1. Use a Can
My favorite way to use these I CAN math games is with a can. All you have to do is find a can that works for you. I love tennis ball cans, but you could also use Pringles cans, Lysol wipe cans, Crystal Light cans, or anything that shape. I always suggest emailing the staff at your school and asking for donations. That is how I have always collected the cans. Each grade level comes with 10 games, so you will need 10 cans if you are going to go this route.
Once you have your cans, just wrap a pre-made label around the can, cut the questions into strips, stick them inside, and BOOM…done. 🙂
2. Put Them in Folders
If you aren’t into the “can” thing, you can easily organize these games into folders. I just glued the cover on the front and included answer sheets, recording sheets, and questions inside.
3. Use a Binder System
If you are looking for a SUPER simple way to keep all of your games together, use a binder. I keep each game in its own sheet protector. Now all I have to do is find the skill I’m working on, and everything is right there for me.
4. Keep Cards on a Binder Ring
If you don’t have a lot of room or plan to use these more like task cards, it is great to put these questions on a ring. Students can access them easily, and they will always stay together. Simple!
5. Keep Them in a Pencil Box
Yep! Any pencil box will do. I like to print the game cover and the answer key at a reduced size of 50% and stick them in the lid.
10 Ways to Use I CAN Math Games in the Classroom
1. Math Centers (2+ Students)
This is my favorite way to use these games. The description for this game is already explained above, so I won’t go through it again. It is very simple, and once you teach your students the process, they know how to play in the future. If you’re setting up centers for the first time, here are my tips for successful math centers.
2. Independent Practice
Students can work through these questions one at a time and self-check as they go. I like to have some kind of incentive for finishing all 40 questions with at least 80% accuracy.
3. Progress Monitoring
I have students complete the questions with me or on their own (depending on the student). I then use the progress monitoring checklist included in each game to see which standards they are still struggling with. This helps guide my instruction for future small group lessons. It also comes in handy during parent conferences and EIP meetings.
4. Test Prep
These questions are perfect for test-prep time! Students can have fun while reviewing all the standards. Although, if you use these all year long, you won’t need to stress so much before the BIG test! Here are more of my stress-free test prep strategies.
5. Whole Group Games
Because there are so many questions in each I CAN math game, you can use these as whole group practice. I love to split my class into groups and project these questions on the board. The teams then take turns answering the questions as a group, earning team points as they go.
6. Task Cards
If you aren’t into playing tons of games, you can easily use these as task cards. I like to organize the questions on a ring. Now I have a simple activity for “anytime” use.
7. End of Unit Review
I love using these at the end of a unit. You can use them in any of the ways described above. Once students have learned the skills needed for the game, they are much more successful in using the resource. Also, it is a perfect review before a unit test!
8. Exit Slips
At the end of a math lesson, I pass out one question to each student. They then have to complete the question and turn it in before they can move to the next activity. You can give a different question to each student or just print multiple copies of one question.
9. Early Finishers
I have always had students who finish early and don’t know what to do. These games solve that problem perfectly!
10. Math Around the Room
At different points throughout the year, I loved playing Math Around the Room. I would tape up these questions all around the room. My students would move through the room with a clipboard and pencil and solve each problem, rotating to the next question when given the signal. Just the idea of moving around made this activity a total success for my students!
Bonus Tip: Skip the Whiteboards
If you are looking for a super simple way to make learning more fun and interactive, have I got an idea for you! Years ago, I was teaching a small group during math workshop. Each of my students had their dry-erase boards and were working out problems. I remember feeling agitated for two reasons: 1) They were holding their boards up as they worked, and I couldn’t see anything they were doing! This was a major problem because I couldn’t correct them if they were making mistakes. 2) I was sick of the same old routine! I needed to change things up.
Suddenly it occurred to me…if the boards are a problem, get rid of them! Could it be that easy? YES! I took all the boards, walked across the room, and threw them in the garbage. From that point on, during a small group activity or lesson, I simply passed out markers, and my students did their work right on the table!
This strategy was a total success! Here’s why:
- Less to pass out, saving time (always important)!
- I could see everything my students were doing and provide them with immediate feedback. (No hiding and drawing pictures!)
- My students thought it was the coolest thing in the world! In their eyes, they were breaking the rules. Now come on…even us teachers can admit it’s fun to break the rules now and again. Talk about taking a normal group lesson from “just okay” to highly engaging.
A few tips if you try this in your own classroom: black markers work best, because colored markers seem to stain the table and don’t wipe up easily (plus, if all the markers are black, students won’t fight over which one they want). Keep some baby wipes handy to clean the table a few times per week, and make sure you have enough erasers to go around. The less students have to share, the better! Your students won’t want to stop solving problems 🙂
Digital I CAN Math Games
Digital math games should be interactive and fun while also providing quality math practice. You should feel confident that the math games you choose to use are rigorous enough to challenge your students, while also providing enough exposure to appropriate grade-level content. I CAN Digital Math Games offer all of this, and more!
What Is an I CAN Digital Math Game?
I CAN Digital Games are the perfect way to make math interactive and fun! ALL digital I CAN games come in 3 formats: PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Google Forms. They are perfect for independent practice, whole-class review, small group games, and progress monitoring.
- PowerPoint and Google Slides: interactive slides with immediate feedback
- Google Forms: automatically grades your students’ work and collects data
- 40 multiple-choice questions in every game
- A “Getting Started” guide that walks you through how to use the games
- Optional printable sheets: a progress checklist (for students to track their progress on each skill), a workspace sheet (for students to show their work), an answer recording sheet, and an answer key
The digital games can be used as a small-group game, for independent practice, as a whole group review game on your smartboard, for early finishers, in Google Classroom (or any other learning platform), and for test prep. Because there are so many questions in each game, they can be used again and again throughout the school year!
CLICK your grade level to see the digital games!
What Teachers Are Saying
“Wow! There are simply no words to express how thankful I am for this product. It provides so many options and possibilities in my classroom. They are thorough, accurate, and complete. It gives students continual practice in all fifth grade standards.” ~ The Primary Gal
“This game is exactly what I needed to complete my Math Workshop time! My students are obsessed with QR codes, and I love that they receive immediate feedback on how they are doing.” ~ Ally Payne
“This is such an awesome resource. Students have fun with the QR codes and are studying in the meanwhile. It was great for me being a special education teacher to differentiate by being able to print both short answer and multiple-choice cards!” ~ Jess S.
“I love having the option of using the Google Slides or Google Forms version. I used the forms version for distance learning and plan on using the Slides version in the fall.” ~ Lisa K.
If you’re looking for games that focus on just one skill at a time, check out my I CAN Mini Math Games, too. I hope these ideas help you get the most out of your math games this year!
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