4 Amazing Activity Ideas for Math Centers in Your Elementary Classroom
Math centers are an engaging and important part of the elementary math classroom. Math centers not only let students practice math skills, but they also allow the teacher to work with small groups.
But what should your students DO in math centers? In this blog post, you’ll get 4 different math activities that can be used in your math centers. These activities will help make math centers stress-free for you and your students.
Before we get into all the math center ideas, I have a free multiplication and division fact families game (shown in the picture below) for your math centers! You can click here to get it.
Math Task Cards Paired with Board Games
Task cards can be used for so much more than games of scoot or simple question-and-answer activities! Get out the old board games you have in your classroom cupboards and pair them with task cards for a math center activity that students will love.
Here’s how it works: Students draw a task card. If they answer the task card correctly, they get to make a move on the game board. It’s as simple as that! It helps to have the task card answer key available so that students can check each others’ answers.
Need task cards for your centers? Here are a few links to help you out:
Multiplication Properties Digital & Printable Task Cards
Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Digital & Printable Task Cards
2. Boom™ Cards
Have you heard of Boom™ Cards? They are digital task cards that students can play on tablets, computers, or interactive whiteboards. They are a great interactive learning tool for your classroom!
The top comment I see in teacher reviews for Boom™ Cards is how much students love them. And when students love something, they’ll be engaged and interested. This is good news for you while working with small groups during math centers.
Boom™ Cards have an advantage over other math center activities because they’re no prep and self-checking. So, on top of them being engaging for students, they’re also less work for the teacher.
Boom™ Cards are available over just about any topic you can think of! To see all my Boom™ Cards, click here. To check out my math best-sellers, click the links below. The great thing about the Boom™ site is that you can try out all the decks before buying!
Boom™ best sellers:
Comparing & Ordering Numbers to 4 Digits
3. Printable Review Games
Printable math games are always a winner for students. Games for your math centers should be over topics that students have already been introduced to. That way, students can work on the game with a partner or small group while you work with math small groups.
Popular types of math games that students can do during centers time are matching games, printable board games, dice games, and card games. Decide ahead of time if you’d like students to work on a game independently, with a partner, or in a small group. This can vary depending on the type of game, student behavior, and work skills of your class. It often works well to pair students who are struggling with students who have mastered a concept. That way, students are able to help each other and continue playing without the teacher’s help.
I have a FREE matching game for you that you can use in your math centers! This s’mores matching game practices multiplication and division fact families. You can click HERE to get it
4. Paper and Pencil Math Worksheets
Worksheets are just a necessity of math at times in order to get math problem practice. I know, I know….worksheets can be boring and repetitive, right? Well, I prefer worksheets that are more interactive and engaging than the typical math worksheets.
Math maze worksheets are a great way to get students interested in practicing math. Don’t want to do all the grading afterward? When using these for math centers, you have the option of leaving out an answer key for students to check their own work. I have a few options below that you can check out!
Addition and Subtraction to 1,000 Math Mazes
Multiplication and Division Facts Math Mazes
Puzzle worksheets are also a great way to get students engaged and have them practice math problems at the same time! You can find my third grade bundle of math puzzle worksheets by clicking below. Each set of puzzles is also available as an individual set.
Now it’s your turn! Have you tried any of these activities in your math centers? Have questions about these activities? Let me know at laura@thirdgradeengaged.com
Hope you have fun with your math centers!
Laura at 3rd Grade Engaged
