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We know that kids can get bored in class, and that it is always great to change up your lesson plans with different games or activities.
The problem is that hunting for good resources can take all day, and even then, there is no guarantee that you will find something suitable. To keep you from giving up and going back to the same old lesson, I have rounded up a set of Algebra games that are purposeful and will not waste your students' time. Hopefully, some of these will benefit your class. I've highlighted the best features of each one so you can find a good fit. I hope that at least one of these is just what you've been looking for! I have divided them into two categories: downloadable and online games. |
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1. The "Conquest" game works a little like a simplified version of Risk.
Kids love this because they can keep playing an ongoing game with the same opponent throughout the year. They love conquering the territories. Teachers love it because the focus is on the math. With each "attack," the students solve a problem or answer a question. Then the battle results are determined with a quick check. The game does not detract from the practice. They will get as much practice as they would with a worksheet (if not more). Students keep track of armies with dry-erase markers on a laminated map. Enter your email here to have a free downloadable Conquest game emailed to you to try out! It will arrive in your inbox within the week. If you like it, the game sets are available at a discounted rate. |
(Paid versions are also available for many topics including equations, inequalities, slope, and linear equations.)
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2. The "Footloose" games from Middle School Math Moments are great because they get kids moving around the room.
This one is a free download that is geared more towards Pre-Algebra, but is a great review even in an Algebra 1 classroom. The students compete to fill in their grid sheet with the most correct answers. They answer each card, then place it in a new location. Your students will love it because it is fun and different, and you will love it because it is quiet! |
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3. These "Bonus Beast" tasks from Piece of Pi are cool because they offer quite a challenge for high school students.
This free one is just one enormous polynomial that students have to simplify. Students will enjoy seeing if their answer was correct after all their hard work. Teachers will love seeing that even the students who are difficult to engage will get excited to tackle the beast! This particular example helps students to practice simplifying a polynomial by applying the rules of exponents. |
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4. This PowerPoint game from misscalcul8 is an interactive way to practice solving systems of equations.
The kids always like competing like this. The game is really well done and easy to use. As a teacher, you will not have to do much, and you will love that it includes a couple of word problems too! Click here to go download it for free. |
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5. These Four-In-A-Row games are great because as the student draws the card, they have an option of what to mark off on their card. For example, in the free Polynomials version, the player can classify the polynomial either by its degree or by its number of terms.
This gives the students the option, and they love being strategic. However, in order to make a choice that will get them closer to four squares in a row, they have to find both and then decide. I love this because it gives the students plenty of practice. In the Slope-Intercept Form version, after drawing the card with a graph of a line, the student finds the slope and the y-intercept, then decides which one will be a better option to mark off on the game card. Students play in pairs. The first one to get four squares in a row in any direction is the winner! Get your free download here. |
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1. For practice with solving absolute value equations, try the "Absolute Value Millionaire" Game. The kids will love the visual appeal and sounds of the game-show style setup. You will love that the game offers a variety of practice problems with different types of absolute value equations.
The game has one-player and two-player options. If you have internet access, this will fit easily into your plans for practicing solving equations with absolute value. |
Click here to play for free.
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2. This java-based game is a quick way to practice writing an expression from a word phrase.
Students match each word phrase to the equivalent algebraic expression. They will love that they don't have to write out all the expressions and phrases. This is great as a transitional step for students who are struggling to jump right into writing the expressions themselves. You will like that the game is quick and self-explanatory. Without any guidance from you, kids can jump online and play a few rounds to practice until they are ready to write the phrases. Each time a new game is started, a new card set is displayed. Click to play for free. |
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3. This one is more for Pre-Algebra, but it is too cool not to mention. This online game is really well done and has so much to offer.
Although it is free, it does require a login. I have done it with middle school students, and they really loved it, but it would probably not work well with my high schoolers. The students enjoy that this is set up as a video game, and you will like that it introduces them to concepts like proportions. It does take time to set up your class lists and get everyone logged in, but it is worth it. Check it out here. |
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