Math Games for ESL Students

Clock Racing Equations

• Use the clock to learn math with this game.

  Write simple equations on the board and give your students a clock to show their answer. The student who gets the correct answer first wins a point. The winner of the game must earn more points than any other player.

  For example, write "2 + 2= ?" on the board. Students will race each other to point the hands on the clock to the number four. Don't worry about using the hands on the clock separately. Let them use both hands to point to the same number.

  At the end of the game, have students add up their points to figure out who won.

Math Bingo

• Pass out bingo cards and chips to each student. Make up a list of equations, write them on small pieces of paper and place them into a bucket. Choose one student to pull equations out of the bucket and read them to the other players. The student might read, for example, "7-1." Students must figure out the answer, then find the number six on their card and cover it with a bingo chip.

  Students will continue to solve equations until the first person yells "bingo" after covering his entire card, all four corners, an "X" or five numbers in a row with his chips. When a student yells "bingo," review the equations that were read and the answers.

Math Blocks

• In the middle of the classroom floor, spread out about 50 blocks for every five children. Call out an equation, then watch as the children grab for the number of blocks that show the solution to the math problem.

  When each player has chosen his number of blocks, have them explain why their blocks total the correct number. Keep track of points, then use math skills to determine who has the highest number of points. You can even use subtraction by exploring how many points more or less one student has than another.