FREE Math Vocabulary Game
“My students knew how to solve the problem! They were just stuck on the math vocabulary words they didn’t know!”
“I never thought of using a math vocabulary game. I just introduce the words before the lesson and have them copy it in their notebooks.”
“My students like math vocabulary games, but sometimes the games are just boring and they don’t want to play them.”
Ever heard any of these statements? We heard them during Tabor Rotation Math Training Sessions this fall. There are several activities already on the FREE MATH MATERIALS page of this website (The games are free to Tabor Team members and membership is free, too.) There’s Algebra Vocabulary and Geometry Vocabulary. They have icons to help students visualize the math term. The Circle Geometry Game uses anglegs and plates so students can “make the term” while learning the term.
But, we have to admit that playing these a couple of times might become a little tedious. Remember…
…it takes 7 exposures, in a meaningful setting, for a word to go into long-term memory. Not only that, but if you want your students to retain the word, they must intermittently use it and have fun with it.
One teacher requested a game for fraction vocabulary at the 5th grade level. My assistant is into alliteration and immediately thought,
FRACTIONS—FRENCH FRIES! FRENCH FRIES ARE FUN and something every student experiences, so there’s a “hook” for engaging them. We’ll put all the downloadable materials on the website and make it FREE Vocabulary French Fries!
That’s the origin of the game Vocabulary French Fries. (Keep reading middle school and high school teachers! There are versions of this game at all three levels!)
Here’s how you play Vocabulary French Fries
4-6 Players work in pairs. Every pair gets a french fry container. The ones from McDonald’s fold flat.
The first thing the students do is read over the ANSWER KEY with their partner. Hmmm…isn’t this cheating? Nope! Remember the 7 times of meaningful exposure? Every time they read the word and the definition it’s another exposure to the term. In fact, I recommend that every pair always have the ANSWER KEY so they can double check. When the students know the terms, then you can have the Leader hold the ANSWER KEY till the end of the game for a challenge.
The term “FRENCH FRIES” are placed face down in an arra. The definition “KETCHUP PACKETS” are placed face down in an array next to the fry array.
One member of the 1st pair to play turns over a FRENCH FRY. The 2nd member of the pair turns over a KETCHUP PACKET. They determine if it is a match. If it is, they put the match in their french fry container.
If not, they leave both cards face up so that all students have to reread all of the cards to see if they happen to get a match the next time a card is turned. Again, more exposures to the terms and definitions. Play continues until all matches have been made.
To make it more challenging and fun, have teams or pairs race to see who can find all the matches first. Use a timer to see who is fastest. Use the point sheet to give points. Play with one group of your students—they love to beat that team and will work even harder to find the matches and learn the words.
The materials you need for Math Vocabulary Vocabulary French Fries 5th Grade Fractions, Vocabulary French Fries, 7th Grade, Unit 4, Geometry, and Vocabulary French Fries Algebra I Unit 4.
More resources for math vocabulary:
- Math CCSS Vocabulary Word Lists by Grade Level and Concept
- FREE Math Vocabulary Word Wall Cards for ALL Levels
- FREE Math Vocabulary Bingo Game
- What’s the Big Deal About Vocabulary?
- Vocabulary Support in Math is as Important as it is in Reading
Speaking of french fries…sure wish I had a container of my favorite. I’ll just need to jump on a plane, take Route 50 from BWI to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and head to the south end of the Ocean City Boardwalk. For less than $10 I can have my fill of the best tasting fries I’ve ever eaten. Anybody up for a plane ride to get some Thrasher’s Fries?
