Using Playing Cards For Math Centers and Why It's AWESOME

The concept of using playing cards for math centers is not a new one. It's an awesome one though! In previous years, my math centers consisted of mostly printing, laminating, bagging, repeat. Switching them out constantly gets overwhelming for me. And cutting lamination loses its allure reeeeal fast. Switching out centers weekly causes me anxiety! Call me lazy but the rare few minutes I have alone (mom of 2 under 5 here) mustn’t be wasted cutting out a math center my students might use for a week. I still LOVE a lot the printables I have purchased and, when a unit calls for them, they more than work. When I discovered how much diversity a deck of cards could lend to my math block, the almost complete switch however, was a no-brainier.

 Students love playing with cards because they truly feel like they're getting away with just playing during math time. The novelty doesn't wear off either. My card centers have been going strong all year. Each time I introduce a new card game the "oooohs" and "ahhhs" resound.

 I teach second but card games are adaptable to meet the needs of any grade level. The list I have assembled of my top three favorite math center card games are geared towards primary aged students but you may be able to adjust by slightly changing the rules or objective. Check out them out!

 (All games require you to remove the Kings, Queens, Aces, Jokers, and Jacks unless otherwise noted)

 1. Flip Three, by Who’s Who and New

Description: A memory game of sorts where players aim to create a meaningful equation with the three cards they flip. Number of players: I find 4-5 works best Rationale: Students are using and fine tuning number sense as well as practicing fact families. They also must pay close attention as their opponents choose cards so they can make smart choices when their own turn comes. I like how this game challenges their focus and tact. How to play: Arrange your cards into five rows of seven facing down. Player one flips three cards over, leaving them on the board. If those three cards can make an equation they take them. If they don't they flip them back over and the next person goes. Play until there are seven cards left on the board. Player with the most cards wins!

Please observe my weenie dog cards and be jealous!

 2. The Greatest Game, adapted from education.com

Description: I use this game to help students practice double-digit addition. You can adapt it to two-digit subtraction or to three digit addition/subtraction as well. Number of players: 2-5 Rationale: Students are practicing comparing numbers, facts, and regrouping and/or borrowing skills. They are also creating arrays! How to play: Remove the 10's from the deck (as well as all other face cards). Each player gets four cards. They arrange their cards to create two of the biggest two-digit numbers they can. The cards should be in two rows of two cards. Everyone adds their own cards up to reveal who has the biggest sum. The winner takes everyone's cards. You can add a one-minute timer if you feel the group can handle it! Play until you're out of cards! Winner is whoever has the most cards. To adapt to three-digit adding or subtracting, give each player six cards instead of four.

3. Make a Ten Game, adapted from a sweet blog post by Math Coach’s Corner

Description: The game is simple and isn't set up for a singular winner. It's more of a group effort type of game. I use this game to drill ten’s facts into my student’s heads! It can get noisy. Be forewarned! This game also has a fun surprise at the end. Number of players: 4 maximum Rationale: Students are practicing ten facts which are crucial to adding and subtracting larger sums. They are also doing a bit of missing addend work. How to play: In this game Aces = 1, so leave the Aces in the deck but remove all other face cards. One player will choose one card and place it face down off to the side (No peeking!). The rest of the cards will be laid out face up into five rows of eight (one row will only have 7 cards). Each player gets a turn choosing cards that combine to make ten. They must say the fact out loud as they pick up the cards! For 10 + 0, they will just pick up the 10. If you want to add extra suspense for your students that have their tens facts pretty much mastered, add a one-minute timer. Once there is one card left, the group must guess what the secret card is (ya know, the card we picked out and didn’t look at before we laid out the cards)! They love that part.

Ace = 1

So that’s it! These three games have kept my students busy all year. I occasionally throw in holiday themed centers and I do still have a few laminated centers as well, but the cards are the STAHS!!!

One last thing! Since different games require the deck of cards to look different, I like to keep my decks in soap containers. I label each soap container on the bottom with which games that deck goes with. Some decks will work for multiple games.

I hope you enjoyed this post and got an idea or two for your math centers!