It’s funny how the very same students whose eyes glaze over when you put a worksheet in front of them, perk up when you present the same kind of work in a novel way. Take math maze games as an example. These mazes require that students solve a certain number of problems, but because they’re also trying to get to the finish line at the same time, students are so much more engaged when practicing. Today I’m sharing 8 ways to use mazes in your math classroom.
One of the most rewarding things about sharing resources on Teachers Pay Teachers is that through feedback, you can actually hear how real life teachers use these downloads in their classroom. It’s amazing to hear about their experiences using games, puzzles, and activities that I’ve used with my own students. So, when thinking about all the different ways to use math maze games in the classroom, I turned to the comments from other teachers and their great ideas and insights on using mazes with students.
8 Ways to Use Math Maze Games
Warm Up
Have students complete a maze as a warm up or bell ringer. Mazes are designed for students to work on independently. They also have an element of self-checking as problems lead to other problems. I use them virtually every day for bell work. Students either complete a maze that’s cyclical review, practice of a topic we’ve been working on for a while, or prerequisite skill they need to review.
Independent Practice
Math maze games are great for practice. Students will complete a series of problems, but instead of simply completing them on a standard worksheet, they have the added element of trying to reach the finish line. This little twist can be incredibly motivating for students:
Partner game
This is an idea I love. I hadn’t considered it before, but one teacher explained a great twist on the maze game for partners to play. This idea is so fun that I actually designed a maze battle game for end of the year review of the Pythagorean Theorem.
Centers & Stations
Mazes are the ultimate print and go resource. That makes them perfect for an easy to set up math center or station. Several teachers have shared that they use mazes for independent practice activities in learning centers and math stations. Put them in a dry erase sleeve or SmartPal and you have a reusable center activity.
Homework
Because math maze games are practice with an element of self-assessment, they can make great homework assignments. That’s just how Connie S. used them with her students:
Formative Assessment
Mazes offer a great visual check for teachers on which students are “getting it” and which are needing more help. I tell students that if they find themselves at the finish after just a few problems, then they know that they did something wrong. They should expect to complete around 12 problems for each maze. Here’s what other teachers have to say about the assessment capabilities of these mazes:
Sponge activity
Because mazes are no-prep, having an extra set on hand comes in handy during those awkward bits of time when students need something productive to do, but you don’t have time for a full blown lesson. Math maze games are a great sponge activity- I have a stack ready and waiting for that day with a fire alarm, assembly, lock down drill, etc.
Cyclical review
Using a maze for a previously learned topic can also provide students an engaging way to review. With around 12 problems per maze, it’s the perfect amount of practice for students to get refreshed on concepts they studies a while ago.
It is always fun to find an excuse in class to use a math maze game. As Norma L. commented on the Combining Like Terms Maze Games, mazes are…
If you haven’t used math maze games in your classroom before, download one for free by joining the Maze of the Month Club. When you join the Maze of the Month Club you’ll also get a free maze delivered to you inbox each month and then just print and go!
Yes! I want to get free mazes with the Maze of the Month Club!
Can’t wait to see you there.
Mazes are just awesome
Mazes are a simple adjustment to traditional math practice that really can increase student engagement. It may sound crazy, but whenever there’s a day that I don’t start with a maze, my students complain (loudly!). Every year there’s a couple students that take a few days to warm up to them, but within a short amount of time, they too get on board. And one thing I’ve learned is that I can reuse mazes again a few months later without the students remembering the answers. Or, if you want to reuse mazes in different classes, you can put them into a SmartPal sleeve or sheet protector. I’ve even gone paperless with digital mazes (either using Google Draw or Class Kick).
If you’re not currently using mazes, I hope that I’ve convinced you to give them a chance. Thanks so much for reading. Until next time!