Checker Multiplication Lesson

In my third grade classroom my students were learning their multiplication

facts. During this time I did a lot of fun interactive games to help learning,

memorizing, and practicing their different facts. For this lesson I found a variety

of different multiplication checker boards for students to use and practice their

facts on. It was so much fun to watch my students play this game and communicate

with their partners throughout to help each other and even teach each other how

to play checkers.

To play each player needs 12 game pieces that are different from their

opponent’s. Players face each other on each end of the board and place their

pieces on the white squares (the squares with the x-tables). Start play as you

would a normal checkers game by moving your game piece diagonally. You may hop

over an opponent. If you hop over an opponent’s game piece, remove it from the

board and solve the math problem you landed on.. You may hop over more than one

game piece if there is a space between.Players solve the problems they land on and

keep the answer as points. Use a scratch piece of paper to keep track of points. If

a player reaches the opposite side of the board, they become a King and can move

backward OR forward. Play until the opponent's game pieces are all gone or until

the timer goes off. The player with the most points at the end wins.

I made sure to pair a student who knew how to play checkers with a student

who didn’t as well as making sure to pair a higher level student with a lower level

student to assist them as needed. This game went fantastic for my students and

definitely something I want to do again in the future!