Games in the Library-Part 1: Multiplying Decimals

Recently, we had two different content area teachers come in for activities. We decided to create game activities for the kids. The 6th grade math teacher asked me to design a lesson to let the kids practice multiplying decimals. The 8th grade reading teachers both wanted to do an overview of the Golden Sowers (our state's award nominees). For the games, I mainly wanted the kids to be able to be engaged, have options, and work in teams. Even though everything we are doing this year is through the "COVID-19 lens" it is still important for me to find ways for the kids to work in groups. In the library, we are able to spread out our tables to allow 25-30 kids at a time be in groups that aren't in very small spaces. Plus, all of our materials were laminated so they could be wiped down at the end of each period for sanitation. 

First up, our math game!
The teacher's only request was for the kids to practice multiplying decimals. I did a few searches on some teacher sites I follow and ended up deciding I wanted to do some sort of a board game. After looking at some templates available online, we went with a bingo board game. 
Here was the template I started with for the board game: 

As you can see, it was completely editable, which was perfect for what we wanted. You can find the original board game HERE. I ended up making 4 versions (a set A, set B, set C, and set D) so we had multiple game boards going at once. In addition to the board game, the kids also needed a bingo card. Those I created on my own in Google Docs, just using a simple table. 

If I did it again, which I think we will, I would edit this to add in a FREE space in the middle. As it was now, the kids could either get a bingo with 4 across, 4 diagonal, or 5 down. 

How to play:
Each table group got 1 board game and 2 bingo cards. 
The first team rolled the dice and moved their game piece on the board to a box with a problem. Both players tried to solve the problem, and they checked their work by finding the answer on the bingo sheet. If the answer wasn't there, the problem needed to be reworked. Once they found the answer, they marked out that square. Then the other team took a turn. The first team that got to a bingo, won. 

For COVID purposes: 
We laminated all sheets and that way we were able to wipe them down at the end. The kids used Vis-a-Vis markers to mark the bingo squares, and all the dice could be wiped down between classes as well. 

Overall, this game went really well and the kids enjoyed it.