The Classroom Game Nook: March 2016

3 Great Finds Around The Web For 2 Fabulous Bloggers

Heading back to school this week after spring break? I feel your pain.

I'm hoping to spread a little inspiration with three great finds that I've found around the web lately.

First up, I'm sure many of you are familiar with Laura Candler. She's got some amazing resources, and I stumbled across one of her webinars on easy and fun ways to build multiplication vocabulary. The webinar highlighted some great games you can play in your classroom, and I wanted to pass it on to you in case you missed it! You can watch the replay by clicking below:

The next two are from an equally amazing blogger, Jennifer Findley (a "must follow" if your an upper elementary teacher!). She had two great tips for games to play during your test prep instruction. Test prep stinks - but it can stink less with these genius ideas. Check both of them out by clicking below:

Jenga Test Prep:

Amazing Race Test Prep:

Hope these ideas get you a little more pumped for you week to come!

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5 Ways to Use an Estimation Jar {Plus - a chance to win a $20 AMAZON GIFT CARD!}

Need an excuse to buy a bunch of jelly beans so that you can eat them later?

How about doing an estimation jar in your classroom!

Or - in my case: Do a post on 5 different ways to use an estimation jar in the classroom, take pictures of the jelly beans, host a fun estimation contest on Facebook, and then eat said jelly beans free of judgement :) Sounds like a plan.

I was thinking - here I am, the author of the Classroom Game Nook, and yet we never actually play games together! Well, that ends today. Let's play a game together, shall we?

Here's how its gonna work:

I filled this mason jar up to the brim with these soon-to-be-in-my-mouth jelly beans. And now, it's your turn to test your own estimation skills.

Observe the two up-close pictures below to help you make an educated guess.
Head over to my Facebook page and leave a comment with your estimated amount and your email.
You have until Friday March 25th to get in your guess and then I'll look through all the estimations to find the person who guessed the CLOSEST AMOUNT WITHOUT GOING OVER!
I'll announce the winner next week and email the winner their PRIZE :)

The person who gets the closest without going over wins a $20 Amazon gift card. Sounds like fun, right!?

Check out these pictures to help you make your best educated guess (I mean, there is $20 on the line here, you don't want any haphazard guesses!):

Now, that we got that out of the way, let's talk about 5 unique ways to use an estimation jar in your classroom. These ideas go beyond just having students look at the jar to make guesses.

What's your favorite way to use an estimation jar?

Don't forget to head over to Facebook to make your guess!

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Print and Play! {2 Free St. Patrick's Day Games}

Woah - when did St. Patrick's Day sneak up on us? I haven't even had a shamrock shake from McDonalds yet! Better get on that.

If it snuck up on you like it did me, then maybe you need a quick printable game to include in your centers this week. Well - I've got two.

Game #1: Create Your Own Game!

With this first option, you can easily create a game that will meet your current needs. All you need is the ready-to-go game board and the blank question cards. If you'd like to be able to type in your own questions (as opposed to write directly on the cards from the printable) then snag the images below (right click on each image and save to your computer), paste them into a PPT presentation and add text boxes as needed!

Game #2: Math Center Game

This game is done for you - just print, laminate, and place at a math center. Students will get practice with adding, multiplying, and subtracting with 2 and 3-digit numbers.

There you have it, 2 games, have at it.

If you're looking for more extensive resources, check out these 10 St. Patrick's Day math and literacy centers.

Enjoy!

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Why your most valuable classroom games may be collecting dust in your attic...

When's the last time you looked in your attic (or basement) for your next classroom game?

I know. Weird question, right? But - really. The materials you need to make that next big game hit in your classroom might be collecting dust. You might also find that missing photo album you've been looking for, too :)

Time to bust out those family games and take them into the classroom. Game like checkers, Jenga, UNO, and Connect 4 can be re-purposed into sight word, math facts, and vocabulary games without even breakin' a sweat!

Check out this round-up of awesome ways to turn those family games into classroom games:

RE-PURPOSE UNO: