Spark your fourth grader’s interest in studying math by using a game he already knows! Math Baseball can be played with two players or two teams. It's a fun and competitive way to review new math concepts and simple computations. All you need is some paper, pencils, and a scorecard. Math Baseball provides quick practice of math skills in a fun, stress-free way. It's sure to be a "hit" with your fourth grader!
What You Need:
- 5-6 sheets of paper cut into approximately 40 cards
- pencil
- scrap paper for math work, scorecard and baseball diamonds
What You Do:
- Begin by making playing cards with your child. Choose a concept your fourth-grader needs to review, such as simple equations. On each card, write an equation (n+5=10). Use your child’s textbook or homework to find examples of these equations to use. Do not write the answers on the cards.
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Next, print or write out this scorecard showing innings, outs and runs:
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Inning
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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9
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Player
2
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If you’re playing with two teams, just change “Player” to “Team”.
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Give players scrap paper and pencils. Each player should draw a diamond on his paper for inning 1.
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Begin with Player 1. Show him a card and ask him to solve the equation on his scrap paper (set a time limit of 30 seconds). If the player answers correctly, he moves to first base and puts an X at first base on his diamond. If he answers incorrectly, it’s an “out” and you mark it on the scorecard.
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Player 2 is now up and gets a card. Follow the same steps as Player 1. Every time a player answers correctly, he moves up a base until he gets to home-plate and scores a “run”. Mark runs on the scorecard.
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Continue switching between players until a player gets three outs. Start a new inning and have players draw new baseball diamonds. Play 9 innings or set a score limit, for example, the first player to get 10 runs wins.
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After playing “Math Baseball” together a few times, write the answers on the backs of the cards so your child can play independently with a friend.
If playing with two teams, each player on the team should solve the equation and then come up with a final answer together. Decide on a team spokesperson to give the final answer.
By Brigid Del Carmen
Brigid Del Carmen has a Master's Degree in Special Education with endorsements in Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders/Emotional Impairments. Over the past eight years, she has taught Language Arts, Reading and Math in her middle school special education classroom.
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