Well Played, Grades 3-5

The authors created this easy-to-use book with a goal of increasing the potential of games and puzzles to deepen students’ conceptual learning and computational fluency (p. 2). The target audience is teachers of grades 3–5; the targeted skills and concepts are appropriate for students at these grade levels.
Well Played for grades 3–5 has chapters with games and puzzles addressing the mathematical concepts of base-ten numeration; addition and subtraction; multiplication and division; mixed operations; and fractions. Each chapter includes five games or puzzles and a section of online games and apps that address the concept. For each game or puzzle, authors Dacey, Gartland, and Lynch explain why it has been included, how to play the game, how it looks in a classroom setting, teacher look-fors, variations of the game, exit card ideas, and extension
activities. The appendix includes all game boards and additional materials required to play the games.
As a math coach, my favorite chapter is entitled, “Supporting Learning through Games and Puzzles.” It explores how to use games and puzzles in the classroom and offers excellent suggestions for both beginning and experienced teachers on topics from teaching game etiquette to setting goals and assessing learning, fostering productive discussions, and organizing games in the classroom.
Although several of the games in this book are variations on old favorites, many are new. The inclusion of the mathematics behind the games, the exit cards, and the ideas for variations make this a book that I am sure I will use repeatedly and will recommend to classroom teachers.
—Amy Henderson, Harrisonburg City Schools, Virginia.