6 Questions to Ask About Math Jeopardy
Sometimes it’s hard to keep students engaged in math lessons. Third-grade math is a pretty significant shift for students. This is the year they learn multiplication, division, and a whole lot of fractions. They inevitably grow sort of bored and weary of the day-to-day math instruction. That’s when you have to develop new and different ways to present math skills, which can take a lot of your planning time. That’s where these Math Jeopardy Games can make a significant and immediate difference in your classroom. The best part is – there is no preparation or planning for you!
What is it?
It is a math review game based on the TV game show Jeopardy. Some of your students will recognize the game from watching it at home on television.
Why Should I Use Math Jeopardy for Review?
Kids LOVE games! They are much more fun than worksheets, right? But, there are enormous benefits for your students beyond the obvious.
According to research, students who engage in math games tend to participate more. It encourages social and emotional learning and motivates kids to take risks. (Nguyen, Hoa P. “How to Use Gameplay to Enhance Classroom Learning”. Edutopia. March 26, 2021.)
When Should We Use Math Jeopardy?
Math Jeopardy games are perfect for review of important concepts before a big unit or standardized test.
Do you know who else can use math jeopardy games in your classroom? Early and fast finishers. When they finish their assigned work, your math superstars can pair up and play these games on a shared laptop. This game is perfect for them! It’s creative, fun, and challenging. All the things those fast finishers want and need!
How Can We Use Math Jeopardy in the Classroom?
All of the Jeopardy games have 5 categories of questions within the targeted math skill. For example, the Multiplication Jeopardy Game has these categories:
- Factors and Products
- Arrays
- Missing Numbers
- Related Facts
- Word Problems
Suppose you are working on a particular skill in multiplication, such as missing numbers. In that case, you can play a quick game at the end of your math block focused entirely on missing numbers. It’s a great way to check for understanding! In this post, you can see Multiplication Jeopardy up close!
In this example, the categories for fractions are:
- Unit Fractions
- Parts of a Whole
- Equivalent Fractions
- Fractions on a Number Line
- Comparing Fractions
Fraction standards in 3rd grade cover a lot of ground, and your students will be required to learn a wide array of fraction information. This Fractions Jeopardy game could be played using the unit fractions category at the end of your lesson on that specific aspect of fractions. You could then return to the game when teaching equivalent fractions and play only that category. Finally, you can play the entire game at the end of your fractions unit. See this Fractions Game in more detail here.
That is the beauty of these games. They can be played at so many different times of the school year and be fun and engaging each time!
How Do You Play?
If you are not familiar with the game Jeopardy, here’s a quick overview.
The board is comprised of 5 categories with 5 questions in each. The questions are given a value of 100 – 500 points. Students can choose any category or point value and the goal is to have the most points by the end of the game. (when all of the questions have been asked)
The absolute best part of these Jeopardy Games for 3rd grade is that you don’t have to do any prep work! It’s a simple PowerPoint game you use in presentation mode.
Set up 3 teams of students and track their points on the Scoreboard page! Three navigation buttons make it easy to play this game:
- Answer – takes you to the answer slide
- Return – takes you back to the Jeopardy board
- Calculator – takes you to the Scoreboard
What Do the Questions Look Like?
Fractions on a Number Line
Elapsed Time Word Problems
Division Word Problems
One More Question…How can you be ready when your students reach the bored and weary stage of the year?
Grab this Jeopardy Math Bundle for 3rd Grade!
Each of the nine Jeopardy games is full of questions that target the key math skills and strategies for multiplication, division, fractions, place value, rounding, measurement, elapsed time, geometry, and data analysis!
Owning this bundle means you can pull out a Jeopardy game whenever you see your students begin to check out during math instruction. Better yet – you can plan to include these fun and engaging games to enhance your instruction.
What a great way to increase student participation, provide social and emotional learning, and motivate students to take risks!
One more benefit – you save 20% by purchasing all these Jeopardy games in the bundle pack!
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