I’ve got a fun classroom game to share that I really think y’all will love. I shared this classroom game years ago on my Instagram page and re-shared it this week. I don’t think I’ve ever shared it on here, though. Sticky Tables is a classroom game that gets kids moving around the room and can be used with any skill. All you need are several sticky notes, desks, and wipe off markers.
I think we can all agree that movement is important for kids. I read a quote years ago that said: “movement helps with concentration, communication, creativity, performance, energy levels, reading, and memory” (source: Brain Waves Instruction Blog). Pretty eye opening, huh?! Sitting still at a table all day long can become quite boring for little ones….and even adults. I’m all about implementing something that’s simple and practical…and this game is definitely that.
Sticky Tables Classroom Game
To play, students start off in their seat and complete the sticky note problem in front of them. You can set a timer (or call out a code word) and students will rotate to the next seat at their table. They will complete the new problem in front of them, timer or code word goes off, and they rotate again. This continues until they have completed all the problems at their table. This is a great way to do informal assessments and see which kiddos need additional help and so forth.
Once they finish their table, they move to the next table and do the same. Students erase their answers in the boxes before moving to the next spot. Here’s a look at a few ways to play it:
1: Skip Counting on a Number Line
Each spot has a different number on the sticky note so that as students are rotating they are completing different numbers. Also, I didn’t put the sticky note at the beginning of the number line for each problem. Changing it up at each problem triggers that higher order thinking and keeps it challenging as they rotate around the table.
2: Numbers to 10 (or 20) / Subitizing and Number Sense
Here’s an example of 3 problems at one table. Again, students start in their spot, complete the problem and rotate around to their next spot. This one table of problems is hitting the standards for counting, writing numbers, picture models, number sense, subitizing…all the things! It’s hard to cover all those things in a worksheet, and to be honest, that’s kinda boring and sometimes overwhelming. This games allows you to hit more standards and brings fun to a lesson (or review).
3: Handwriting Practice
This is one way that I’ll be using this game at home with my son. Handwriting is daunting. Can I get an amen?! Put different letters on sticky notes around the table, students rotate around, and complete the boxes while practicing their handwriting.
Here’s a few other ways to use Sticky Tables:
4: ABC Order
5: Addition and Subtraction
Here addition is being covered in a variety of ways: missing addend, finding the sum, picture model, number sentences, and number bonds. This would be a great way to review addition! Here’s a better look at those:
You could also use this game for
-ordering fractions
-comparing numbers
-10 more/10 less
-1 more/1 less
I hope this game is helpful to you! I’d love to hear how you used it in your classroom.
