It’s the last few days of school.  Testing is finished, computers are collected, and it is challenging to think of an end of year math activity that is truly engaging, low prep, and will continue the learning? I got you!

I know some teachers love to do huge things that are super hyped, but when I tried those types of activities with students who are struggling with self-regulation, it can be a recipe for DISASTER. 

For me, a priority is to choose something low-key yet engaging so the noise level doesn’t go out of control – (and I can keep my sanity).

This hands down, is my favorite end of year activity hack that I have used year after year.   I take simple notecards, cut them in ½ or 1/4s depending on the size, and decide on the number of game cards each student must create. We always had extra notecards at the end of the year since they were on the supply list, but use what you have.  If you have lots of card stock, cut those into small cards. 

Students will use their textbook or any other resource you have, and choose questions from a variety of units during the school year.  On the front is the question, on the back they must write the answer. 

Side note:  You will get several students who will want to write 3 x 5 or something else super simple to finish fast.  I don’t allow this.   Although they can write a question or two like that, I remind them they need a VARIETY of questions to be approved AND they will be playing this game to win, so they want to stump their opponent but with tough questions that they know the answer to. 

I especially encourage word problems since we all know those tend to be the toughest AND are most used on standardized tests.

When students have completed the required cards for the end of year math activity, they must be approved by you. (Don’t spend a ton of time on this – if a student happens to write the incorrect answer on the card, their opponent can challenge it and you can step in at that point)  Once you have approved their cards, they are awarded a game board!  

Create Your Own End of Year Math Activity

Click HERE for a free download of a game board for the end of year math activity

When they receive the gameboard they fill it in and decorate it any way they want to.  They can fill in the boxes with “skip a turn” or “move ahead three spaces” etc.  They can also use extra craft supplies to create game pieces.  Some creative kids spend a long time on this and I totally let them! 

When they are finished,  I give them a gallon ziplock to put their game and all its pieces into for safekeeping. 

When they are finished, they can choose someone else who is finished to play their game with.  To be fair, they play one game, and then afterward they should play their opponent’s game.  Give them dice to play (just one die is best).  When it is their turn, they must answer a question correctly to roll the die and move on the board.  Whoever reaches the end first is the winner!

The creativity, plus math knowledge needed for this makes this super enjoyable for kids and VERY easy for teachers.  Depending on the class, you could easily spend 3 math class periods or more creating and playing these games!

If you do this end of year math activity with your class, please let me know how it goes!

But what if you need MORE engaging, low-prep, activities to do during the last days of school?  Then consider

4th grade End of Year Math Activity Summer Packet for Home or Classroom You will have lots more ways to survive those last CRAZY days of school!

If you’d like more ideas for keeping the learning going over the summer check this post out.

Summer Activities to Prevent Learning Loss

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