What better way to learn math than through fun games!

Technology is cool and all, and yes there are a ton of online resources at the tip of your fingers, but sometimes it’s fun to get away from devices and play a “good old fashioned” game on the floor!

In my first years of teaching, my school required us to teach math for 90 minutes each day. Twenty of those minutes were strictly designated for students who needed intervention. Money and resources were not available to hire a math coach so we, the teachers, were in charge of providing RtI services to the kiddos that needed the extra support in our class. While I provided intervention to a small group, I still had a room full of students needed to be engaged.

I wanted something were students could participate in an activity, be engaged, and not disrupt my small group. This is when I stumbled upon Multiplication Jenga! Multiplication Jenga consists of the game Jenga with math facts written on the individual block pieces. Students stack the Jenga pieces just like the game rules describe and take turns pulling out the pieces without the tower toppling over. The only difference between regular Jenga and this self-made Multiplication Jenga is that students must read and answer the math fact before placing the piece on the top of the tower.

Now, it does not have to be multiplication questions. Simply change the level of math according to the grade that you are teaching. Regardless of age, students will have fun playing this game.

Over the years I have gathered a few tips to make Multiplication Jenga successful.

Tip 1: Students can choose to play on desks, tables, or the floor. I suggest having students play on a felt piece so when the tower falls, there’s less noise.

Tip 2: Paint or mark each block in the set if you have multiple sets for students to play with. This is helpful because if a block gets left behind, you will know which set it belongs to.

Tip 3: I did not buy the original Jenga game. I bought the mini and cheaper version from Dollar Tree- Tumble Towers. I have enough sets so that each student can play with a partner.

I hope this math game works for you as well as it does for me!