Liven up your multiplication fact practice by transforming Jenga, a favorite household game,into the perfect math practice game. All you need is the game and a permanent marker!
In this multiplication version, students play the game pretty much the same as a regular game of Jenga.
Simply write math facts on each block with a sharpie pen and you are set!
What if you don't want to mark on your pristine blocks? You can first apply a piece of masking tape and then write your times table. (This will also ensure that you can easily change what your students are learning.) Or, you could print off math facts and tape them onto each block. I have created a PDF list of all the times table problems from 1-12. Simply cut apart and glue or tape to each block. You are welcome to print it off and share. One of my favorite things about this game is how easy it is to customize to meet the ever-changing, very diverse needs of your students. You can use this game for older and younger students by writing division, addition, subtraction facts, math formulas and even sight words!
What’s more, you can find this game often in thrift stores and generic sets can be found at dollar stores. You can gather several sets and use them in the classroom for math centers!
Set up the game and play as usual, making sure that each is placed face down with the multiplication problem facing down. Taking turns, carefully select a block, remove it from the tower, and answer the multiplication problem.
If you answer correctly, set it in front of you. If you get it wrong, your partner gets a chance to answer the problem correctly and keep it for themselves! What If you or your partner do not answer the problem correctly? The block is placed on top of the tower. Play continues until the tower topples over!
Players count the number of blocks they gathered and the player with the most blocks, wins!
With Jenga, multiplication is fun!
Watch the following video to learn the rules of the game or show your students before playing Jenga:
How to help students check their own answers? You can create an answer key by simply using multiplication charts. I have a couple of these awesome Multiplication Keyboards around our classroom.
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They are perfect to have at each math center for checking problems.
What are some other ways you use Jenga in the classroom? We'd love to hear!