Math Game of the Week: RACK-O

Benefits

• Number Ordering
• General Numeracy
  

If your kids like math, it's pretty easy to teach it to them.  Self-motivation makes everything run smoothly.  

But what if your kids don't like math?  Or what if they're so young, they don't even know what math is?  How do you build a foundation and instill concepts?  Do you just sit 'em down at a table, hand 'em a hundred 4-digit multiplication 
problems, and tell 'em they're gonna do 'em till they like 'em?

Yes, we've tried it. 
No, it doesn't work.

Instead, we've found the best way to teach math is... to teach it without teaching it. 

Confused?

Well, let me say it like this.  If you can convey certain concepts without having to resort to chair, desk, and chalkboard, then so much the better!  Learning is learning, either way.  And we've found there's a greater chance of mutual enjoyment (and retention!) if the teaching occurs unconsciously. 

This is where games come in.  Board games, card games, dice games, you name it.  Games are fun,  and games can teach.  (I'm excluding video games because...well...I just am.)  

Now, whenever I mention "games" and "teaching kids math", someone always says, "Oh, you're talking about Chess, aren't you?" 

No, I'm not talking about Chess.  I don't know why everyone always associates Math with Chess.  (Is it because nerds like math, and nerds like Chess, so therefore Math and Chess must be...the same?)  Chess is a wonderful game, don't get me wrong.  It can help build concentration, encourage strategic thinking, develop visualization, logic, etc.  But Chess is not what I would use to build numeracy.

No, there's another game we like to use with young children, to teach them familiarity with numbers.  It's name is RACK-O.  Ever heard of it?  It's an excellent game.  And an excellent teaching tool.  Each game takes about 20 minutes, so it's reasonably fast-paced.  Granted, we don't play exactly by the rules, because we don't worry about the scoring oddities.  We just keep track of who got their cards ordered first. 

Now, with young children, it works best if you have them on your "team".  Draw a card, have the child pronounce the number, and then have them tell you where to place it in your "rack".  At first, they'll need hints for the placement.  But if you keep a number chart (say, from 1 to 100) on the wall nearby and refer to it, they will soon be able to place cards on their own.  ​

As a child grows older, subtraction comes into play subconsciously, because that helps determine interval widths for placement.  I, myself, use a little probability, together with memory of what cards have already been played.

But without a doubt, the primary educational value of this game is ordering.  After several days of playing RACK-O, ordering numbers is second nature.

And did I mention that it's fun?  It is!  Actually, I'm quite addicted.  I could play it every night.  Trust me, it's a lot more fun than teaching "number ordering" on a chalkboard.

So take our advice, and use games to supplement your math instruction.  Your kid will enjoy it, and you will as well.  

Do you have a favorite math game?  If so, leave a comment telling us the name of the game and why you like it.  We are always on the lookout for new favorites!!

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