Teaching percents to 6th and 7th graders can be a challenging task, but incorporating interactive games into your lessons can make it more engaging and enjoyable for your students. These games not only help reinforce the concept of percents but also encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Get ready to make math class more exciting with these fun activities!

Percents Game #1: Digital Escape Room

• Have students work in teams to “escape” out of this percents game!

This 6th grade math escape room includes 5 math challenges. This Digital Escape Room includes Percent Problems, such as:

• Convert .46 to 46%

• Conver 2/5 to 40%

How long does it take to complete the Valentine's Day Math Escape Room?

I recommend you allow 30 minutes to complete the escape room. Teams are also encouraged since escape rooms foster student leadership and teamwork! Just like a real escape room, students will struggle to figure out how the pieces fit together-- look at the answer key, and offer as many (or as few) hints as you want :)

How do I “move around” in the 360º photo?

Click and drag the mouse to move throughout the 360 environment.

Standards Covered:

CCSS.6.RP.A.3c

CCSS.7.RP.A.3

Percents Game #2: Percent Bingo

• Create bingo cards with different percentages and have students match them to corresponding fractions or decimals.

Percent Bingo is a fun and interactive game that will help your 6th and 7th graders practice their understanding of percents. To play, create bingo cards with different percentages (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%) and have students match them to corresponding fractions or decimals. Call out fractions or decimals, and students can mark off the corresponding percentage on their bingo cards. The first student to get a line or a full card wins! This game not only reinforces the concept of percents but also helps students practice converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages. It's a great way to make math class more exciting and engaging for your students!

Percents Game #3: Percent Jeopardy

• Play a game of Jeopardy where students answer questions about percents and earn points.

Engage your 6th and 7th graders in a fun and interactive game of Percent Jeopardy to reinforce their understanding of percents. Divide the class into teams and create a Jeopardy board with different categories related to percents, such as "Converting Fractions to Percents" or "Calculating Percentages." Assign point values to each question based on difficulty. Students take turns choosing a category and point value, and then answer the corresponding question. If they answer correctly, they earn the points for their team. This game not only tests their knowledge of percents but also encourages teamwork and friendly competition. Your students will have a blast while learning important math skills!

Percents Game #4: Percent War

• Divide students into pairs and give each pair a deck of percent cards. They take turns flipping over cards and comparing the percentages to see who has the higher value.

This game is a fun and interactive way for 6th and 7th graders to practice comparing and understanding percentages. Each pair of students is given a deck of percent cards, which have different percentages ranging from 1% to 100%. Students take turns flipping over cards and comparing the percentages to see who has the higher value. This game not only reinforces their understanding of percents but also helps them develop their critical thinking and decision-making skills. Plus, it's a great way to add some friendly competition to the classroom!

Percents Game #5: Percent Scavenger Hunt

• Hide different objects around the classroom or school with percentages written on them. Students have to find the objects and calculate the actual values.

The Percent Scavenger Hunt is a fun and engaging game that will get your 6th and 7th graders excited about learning percentages. To play, hide different objects around the classroom or school with percentages written on them. It could be anything from a pencil with 25% written on it to a poster with 75% written on it.

Divide the students into teams and give each team a list of the objects they need to find. As they find each object, they have to calculate the actual value of the percentage. For example, if they find a pencil with 25% written on it, they would need to calculate that 25% of the pencil is equal to 0.25.

The team that finds all the objects and calculates the actual values correctly in the shortest amount of time wins the game. This game not only helps students practice their percentage calculations but also encourages teamwork and problem-solving skills. Plus, it adds an element of excitement and competition to the classroom. Try it out with your 6th and 7th graders and watch their enthusiasm for math soar!

Percents Game #6: Percent Relay Race

• Divide students into teams and set up a relay race where they have to solve percent problems at each station before moving on to the next one. The team that finishes first wins.

The Percent Relay Race is a high-energy game that will get your 6th and 7th graders excited about learning percents. Divide the students into teams and set up different stations around the classroom or school, each with a percent problem that needs to be solved.

At each station, the team members have to work together to solve the percent problem before they can move on to the next station. For example, they might have to calculate what 20% of 80 is or find the percent increase from 50 to 75.

The team that finishes all the stations and solves all the percent problems correctly in the shortest amount of time wins the race. This game not only helps students practice their percent calculations but also encourages teamwork and quick thinking. Plus, it adds an element of competition and excitement to the classroom. Give it a try with your 6th and 7th graders and watch their enthusiasm for math soar!

Why Incorporating Games is an Effective Way to Teach Percents

Incorporating games into the classroom can be a fun and effective way to teach percents. Not only do games make learning more enjoyable for students, but they also provide numerous benefits in terms of student engagement and understanding. In this guide, we will explore the advantages of using games to teach percents and how they can enhance the learning experience for students.

1. Engage students through hands-on learning.

One of the main benefits of incorporating games into the classroom is that they provide a hands-on learning experience for students. Instead of simply listening to a lecture or completing worksheets, students actively participate in the learning process through interactive games. This hands-on approach allows students to engage with the material in a more meaningful way, leading to better understanding and retention of the concepts being taught. By physically manipulating objects or making decisions within the game, students are able to see the real-world application of percents and develop a deeper understanding of the topic. Additionally, the element of competition and teamwork in games can further enhance student engagement and motivation to learn.

2. Make learning fun and enjoyable.

Incorporating games into the classroom can make learning fun and enjoyable for students. By turning the lesson into a game, students are more likely to be engaged and motivated to participate. Games create a sense of excitement and challenge, which can help students stay focused and interested in the material. When learning is enjoyable, students are more likely to retain the information and develop a positive attitude towards the subject. By making learning fun, teachers can create a positive and engaging learning environment that promotes student success.

3. Increase student motivation and participation.

One of the key benefits of incorporating games into the classroom is the increase in student motivation and participation. When students are engaged in a game, they are more likely to actively participate and take an interest in the material being taught. Games create a sense of competition and challenge, which can motivate students to strive for success. Additionally, games provide immediate feedback and rewards, which can further enhance motivation and encourage students to continue participating. By increasing student motivation and participation, teachers can create a dynamic and interactive learning environment that fosters student success.

4. Reinforce understanding and retention of concepts.

Games are an effective tool for reinforcing understanding and retention of concepts, especially when it comes to teaching percents. Through interactive activities and gameplay, students are able to apply their knowledge and practice using percentages in a fun and engaging way. This hands-on approach allows students to actively participate in the learning process, which has been shown to improve comprehension and long-term retention. By incorporating games into the classroom, teachers can provide students with opportunities to reinforce their understanding of percent concepts and solidify their knowledge through repeated practice and reinforcement.

5. Foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

One of the key benefits of incorporating games into the teaching of percents is the opportunity to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students. Games often require students to think strategically, analyze different scenarios, and make decisions based on their understanding of percent concepts. By engaging in gameplay, students are challenged to apply their knowledge in real-world situations and find creative solutions to problems. This not only enhances their understanding of percents but also develops their ability to think critically and solve problems effectively. Additionally, games provide a safe and supportive environment for students to practice these skills, allowing them to build confidence and become more proficient in their problem-solving abilities.