Using Tumbling Wooden Blocks Games to Review Math Skills

Test prep season is upon us. I don't know about you but our kids hate test prep. In an effort to make it more fun for them, we use Jenga blocks in our 3rd to 5th grade classrooms. Kids get to "play" and at the same time answer some rigorous test questions. Beats a worksheet any day!

First thing is to get a set of Jenga blocks or any wooden blocks. You can find them anywhere, from a toy store to Amazon. If you buy the regular wooden blocks, the ends would have to be painted to match the colors of the cards.

I purchased my set at Amazon because the blocks are already painted and the colors are super bright and beautiful.

Here is the link to the Lewo Blocks on Amazon:

Amazon Lewo Wooden Tumbling Tower

THE GAME:

This game works best when played in small groups of 2-6 students.

Directions:

• Print cards. Laminate for durability.
• Students build tower as shown on picture
• Students take turns rolling dice (dice is included with the wooden blocks).
• If dice falls on yellow, student picks a yellow card. All students solve the question on the card.
• One student (the captain) can check the answer using the provided answer key. If correct, student gets to move a block of that color and re-positions the block on the top of the tower. If incorrect, next student rolls dice and solves.
• The player who knocks tower loses and game starts over again.

The colored cards have been broken down by skill. I have created a 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade game. Each one is aligned to the Common Core Standards for that grade level.

The cards below are from the 4th grade game:

You can see some sample cards below from the 5th grade game here:

 You can also find the 3rd grade version here.

Hope you have fun test prepping.

What do you use to get kids engaged? Leave me a note below. I would love to hear from you!