Solving Equations Jenga

Jenga! J- J- J- Jenga!

Worksheets are great for practising basic math skills but can be tedious...  Why not make them into a game?  I am always trying to find ways to make math practice more fun, especially during Summer Session!  I decided to make my own "Solving Equations" Jenga for Grade 9 Math after seeing a variety of Jenga games for the classroom on Pinterest.

Making the Game:

Well...technically I used a mini version of "Tumbling Tower" that I found at Dollarama.  It was only $2.50 and is more portable and easier to store than a full-sized Jenga set!  I cannot remember which website I used as the source for my questions, but either of these would be great resources for practice questions:

• http://www.mathworksheets4kids.com/equations/
• http://www.math-aids.com/Algebra/Algebra_1/Equations/

I colour coded the two different sides of the bricks to better accommodate a range of abilities:

• Green side (easier): Basic 1- and 2-Step Equations.
• Blue side (harder): Equations with Variables on Both Sides and/or Brackets.

At least for the "Tumbling Tower" set, I recommend using a fine felt-tipped marker rather than a permanent marker; I first tried permanent marker but found it bled into the wood and made the equations harder to read.  I labelled the ends of each brick with a different number so that students can quickly check their answers with the "Solving Equations" Jenga Answer Key.

Playing the Game:

I use a file folder to store the "Solving Equations" Jenga Rules and Answer Key.

Goal:

Be the last player to stack a block without knocking over the tower, having correctly solved the block's equation.

Rules:

First player removes a block from anywhere below the highest completed story, using only one hand.  That player must correctly solve one of the equations shown on the block before stacking it on top of the tower at right angles to the blocks just below it.  If the player does not correctly solve the equation after the first try then they must take another turn, risking knocking over the tower again!

  

Side note: One drawback to using the dollar store version: since the wood is not as good of quality as the name-brand version, the first couple of pieces to be removed tend to get stuck.  I changed the one-handed rule to allow students to use their other hand to hold the blocks on either side, just for the first couple of turns.  After the first few turns though, the blocks move smoothly and it is back to using only one hand!  (If you run into this problem, warn the students ahead of time so they do not get instantly discouraged!)

If you would like to make your own Jenga game, I recommend checking out this DIY Jenga tutorial by "The Tutor House".  Unfortunately for me, I did not find this until after I made my own...but I plan to use it to help me make a full-sized whiteboard Jenga set once I have my own classroom :)