Dots and Boxes! ~ Anne Gardner's Educational Resources

Do you remember using dot paper as a kid? It was always one of my favorite things! My grandmother used to carefully draw the dots by hand. Times sure have changed, but I find my primary students are just as enamored with activities using dot paper as I was.

Dot paper and a die are great tools to help kids develop number sense. A student can roll a die, draw a shape around that many dots and write the number in the shape. (Kids can play with a partner or on their own. A wipe-off plastic sleeve is handy for this activity.)

The next step ~ Offer either a ten-sided die or two dice to roll. When using two dice, it's easy to differentiate by deciding whether each student is best served by writing just the number or an equation inside the shape.

My kids always love this simple counting and number writing game. The first person circles one dot and writes the number one. The second person draws a shape around two dots and writes the number two, . . . The only rule is that a player may not cross a line.

Early in the year, I like to show kids how to play the classic Dots and Boxes game. Kids take turns connecting two dots, either vertically or horizontally. Players write their initial in each box they complete.

Later in the year, I put sight words inside the boxes. When a student completes a box, he/she reads, traces and writes the sight word. You can add your own words to dot paper. (To try a sample of this game and also download simple dot paper, click here.)

I always felt like I was missing a piece - kids just love these games so much that there must be a way to add more . . .

Then I met Linda Nelson of Primary Inspiration. Linda shared her Spring into Summer math games with me. I was AMAZED! This set includes 30 unique games and every one involves a creative twist that makes it especially engaging. These are games that students beg to play, even during inside recess. As they play, they practice essential math skills while also learning to plan ahead and use a variety of strategies. What a combination!

Since I just love Dots and Boxes games, Linda's Fireflies game really jumped out at me! Linda had put numbers inside the dots. Brilliant! It was the exact twist I had been looking for.

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If you're looking for fun and engaging games and activities, I highly recommend exploring Primary Inspiration by Linda Nelson. She puts such a fun twist on rock-solid content!

Here are just a few of her fabulous free games and activities: