Building Fluency with Strategy Games
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BUILDING FLUENCY WITH STRATEGY GAMES
When it comes to building fluency with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, strategy games are hard to beat. Unlike games decided by luck or chance, strategy games transform what might otherwise feel like rote memorization into engaging mental workouts that build number sense. Players aren't just recalling facts - they're anticipating their opponent's next move and analyzing multiple possible moves and their consequences to make the best choice. That combination of logical reasoning and mathematical thinking is a powerhouse for building real, lasting skills.
Below are two favorites that can be played across grade levels with all four operations, making differentiation simple. An added bonus is that they require minimal materials, keeping setup and packup time manageable!
1. CLOSE THE SQUARE
Close the Square is a twist on the classic pencil-and-paper strategy game Dots and Boxes. Players take turns spinning the spinner and choosing one of the two numbers in the section where it lands. They then perform the designated operation using their chosen number. Strategic decision-making is key, as players aim to complete and capture as many squares as possible. The winner is the player who has captured the most squares when the game ends.
Materials needed: a transparent spinner (or a pencil and paperclip) and two coloured pencils (or dry-erase markers if using a dry-erase pocket).
Numerous versions featuring addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are available in the All Access Math Hub.
TIP: To save time and reduce paper use, place the gameboards in dry erase pockets instead of printing new copies each time students play. Have students use different-colored dry erase markers so they can easily identify their work. The gameboards can then be wiped clean and reused again and again.
2. LINE OF FOUR
Line of Four is a two-player strategy game where the goal is to claim four squares in a row - horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. On each turn, players move one of the two transparent counters on the numbers at the bottom of the board and perform the required operation. Success depends on careful planning, as players must decide which counter to move to either extend their own line of four or block their opponent’s progress.
Materials needed: two transparent counters and two coloured pencils (or dry-erase markers if using a dry-erase pocket).
If you're an All Access Math Hub member, head to the Hub to download and print versions of these games that match the current learning needs of your students.
Not yet a member? Click the button below to download sample addition and multiplication versions of Close the Square and let us know how it goes!
