KenKen and ThinkFun
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ThinkFun and KenKen both feel strongly about the value of games as learning tools in math class – for the past 13 years, our Math Dice game has been used in the classrooms of Arlington Virginia schools, with a big tournament taking place at the end of every school year. This year 23 schools competed, and we put together a short video about the event, which you can watch below!
Math Dice in the Classroom
At ThinkFun, we’re committed to the idea that children learn valuable life and educational skills most effectively through play. That’s what drives us to make all of our games, and it’s why we’re so proud of the track record that our Math Dice line has – for over a dozen years Math Dice games have been used as learning tools in schools around the USA.
Math Dice in Arlington
Teachers from all over the country use Math Dice in K-5 classrooms, but none more so than the teachers in Arlington County, Virginia. In Arlington they’ve created an annual tournament in the Spring, where teams from 23 schools come together to compete.
“From the moment we introduce Math Dice, that’s all they want to do. I have students who come during lunch and recess who would rather do Math Dice than go outside.” – Stephanie McIntyre
Does Math Dice Really Help Kids Learn?
“Their math fluency has definitely increased. Their knowledge of exponents, and order of operations, is much stronger in 5th grade than I would say in times where we don’t use Math Dice as the instructional tool.” – Stephanie McIntyre
“A lot of our standards are around fact fluency, the kids learning their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts really quickly, but this is a really fun way to do that outside of things like worksheets or flash cards. It gives the kids the opportunity and the incentive to learn their facts really well in a game environment, so they don’t even realize sometimes how much they’re learning when they’re playing, which is awesome.” – Christine Hufnagel
How Do You Play?
So how do you play Math Dice? Each set comes with five dice; three six-sided and two twelve-sided. Two students play each other head to head, first rolling the twelve sided dice and multiplying them together to get the ‘target number’. Next they roll the six-sided dice and, using any mathematical operation, try to solve for the target number, or get as close as they can. Whoever solves it first, or gets the closest answer, wins!
How Can I Get Math Dice in My Classroom?
We recommend one set of Math Dice (MSRP $6.95) for every two students if possible, and a Math Dice Tournament Kit (MSRP $24.99). These items can all be bought through Amazon. We also have power-point presentations, teacher guides and additional materials to help you integrate Math Dice effectively into your curriculum.
Did you know teachers get 20% off bulk orders? Fill out the form below to be contacted by our education liaison.
