Here are three free game board games that you can use in your classroom. These work well with phonics skills or math facts.
I have had different experiences throughout my teaching career. I spent my first 3 years as a reading teacher for struggling students K-5. I’ve also been a Differentiated Instruction coach and Team Leader.
My experiences in so many classrooms have let me see tremendous teaching in action, and it’s given me the opportunity to try some things out in a variety of settings.
Why Games in the Classroom
One constant in my classroom has always been the use of games. I use games to review and practice skills with students.
I think games are engaging for students and allow you to work with a group while students are getting meaningful practice.
When I was a reading teacher, I constantly used games to practice the phonics skills the students were currently working on. I had a closet full of games that were organized by phonics skill.
After a couple years, I started creating my own games. I encourage the teachers in my building to use games to review math skills and as independent practice during their reading block.
Here are some games that you download to use in your classroom.
4 in a Row
Play 4 in a row just just like Connect 4 using counters and a printed game board.
How to Play 4 in a Row
Students read the word or say the fact as they place their counter on the space.
Students take turns choosing a spot and placing their counters.
First one to have 4 counters in a row (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) wins.
Free 4 in a Row
These images are png files so you can copy and paste it in a document (like Word or Google Docs) to use it yourself.
This version practices reading CVC nonsense words.
This version is blank. You can insert text boxes on top of the circles to place whatever skill you’d like your students to practice.
Or, you can download a pdf version. This one is easy to print and write in the skill you want to use.
BANG!
I think everyone knows BANG! But, just in case, I’ll explain the rules.
How to Play Bang
The cards go into a container.
A student draws a card, and reads the word (or the fact) and keeps the card. Then it’s player 2’s turn. When someone draws a BANG! card, all of their cards go back into the container.
Play continues until time runs out.
Free Bang Playing Cards
Here’s a blank BANG! set.
You can copy and paste it as a picture into your favorite word processing program. Insert text boxes on top of the card rectangles to add your words.
Board Games
This is a blank game board template.
Students roll a dice to move a certain number of spaces.
You can use task cards, read the room cards, or other cards you already have created. Or you can create your own game cards.
Free Game Board and Playing Cards
Here are full size png files so you can save the image and insert a text box to make the game meet your needs.
Or if you want to print and make your own game board by hand then you’ll want this printable pdf version.
I hope I’ve given you a few different quick and easy resources you can use for games in your classroom.
Come on over and check out some more ideas…
– Originally posted on Teaching Blog Addict
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Tessa Maguire
I have been teaching for 11 years in many different roles and schools. My goal is to offer strategies and resources that make teachers’ lives a little bit easier. I believe in standards-based instruction, in ways that are engaging and thematic. I offer real-world solutions to the everyday struggles in the classroom: standards-based instruction, classroom management, student engagement, and more.