Do you love to play learning games with your students? There is no better way to kick off your return to school, time after a break from school, or the fact that a math test is coming, than by playing a game! What kind of game, you ask?! It's a place value review game.
I love playing review games when prepping for a test. It also gives my students the chance to get their wiggles out, which is so important. They feel the competition in a fun yet inviting way. They can work together, and ultimately, they ALL win when they do!
Time to play Stinky Feet!!
This is not a new review game by any means. I have been playing it with my students for almost ten years. One of the best parts about this game is its name. Read on to learn more about this review game and how to play!
What is Stinky Feet?
This review game is one of the most exciting and easiest ways to review any math skill you need to cover. Students are given a question they have to answer, and if correct, they get to choose a sticky note with a prewritten value on the back. The catch . . . the points could be positive or negative. This is what makes it stinky!
How to set your review game
You need to decide which questions are essential for students to review. I often look ahead at test questions and base my review questions on these. As a teacher, you better understand whether students are quick to engage or need more support. Next, ensure you have your students set up to work in teams. This tends to be easier, as you will only need to check the responses of one team sheet and not twenty or more individual responses.
Students will need scratch paper, dry-erase materials, a timer, privacy dividers, and a positive attitude!
How to play
Begin by presenting questions on the board, however you wish to display them. I usually create a PowerPoint presentation with one question per slide. Students are given at least two minutes (no more) to solve the problem on the board. They try to whisper or solve on their dry-erase board and share with their team. They are careful not to talk too loudly, as other teams can hear their answers.
Once the team has agreed on a response, the leader must record the answer on paper and raise their hand to show the teacher. If the answer is correct, the team sends one teammate to grab a sticky note and return to their seat. If the response is incorrect, the students get one more chance to solve. After the timer goes off, it is time to solve the expression.
How does it end?
Keeping an eye on time is essential. Sometimes, it is possible to complete all the questions in the slideshow, but sometimes, time runs out. I continually monitor time and let my students know the available time remaining and how many more questions are possible.
Once I officially call time, I ask my students to place all their sticky notes on each other and in the center of their leader paper with answers. I ask the leader to bring me this only. I will tally all points for each group and usually reward the students by giving them that number of points in their Class Dojo account. You may have a class reward system. This needs to be made clear to students as you begin.
Ready to give it a try?
Let me know which other types of sets you would be interested in practicing.
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