Online Playful Math

A student using a laptop and completing online math lessons.
Online Playful Math

What is Online Playful Math?

Online Playful Math connects educators and students in real-time, providing a platform to develop mathematics skills in an interactive, playful way.

Intended for elementary educators and students, Online Playful Math uses a combination of Zoom and an online card playing platform to engage students in math card games. Online Playful Math creates an environment for educators to observe students and respond to their mathematical needs. Most importantly, it provides opportunity for spontaneous math learning that emerges as a result of game play. Online Playful Math supports a number of math skills, including numeracy, spatial reasoning and algebra. 

Online Playful Math in Practice

Play-based Teaching

Approaching math education through play is an authentic way to challenge students to think about math concepts. A child can learn by doing the math on their own or by interacting with the children they are playing with. This also develops early social skills. Play also provides choice to children, sustaining interest and curiosity, as well as offering the opportunity to try new strategies without the fear of consequence. Children can think about the math as complicated or as simply as they’d like, depending on their level of development. 

Educators Can Use Online Playful Math

The Robertson Program hosts workshops to introduce educators to Online Playful Math. Educators are equipped with the skills to effectively use the platform. This includes discussion with fellow educators about the learning opportunities for students embedded in the Robertson Program-designed card games. Online Playful Math is intended for all educators – classroom teachers or educators who work one-on–one with kids.

Online Playful Math Activities

Activities have inspired many of the card games educators and students play as part of Online Playful Math. Explore the lessons to gain an understanding of the rich math behind Online Playful Math.

21

A ten of spades and ace of diamonds that equal 21. A title reads, "21".
Students aim to beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as possible without going over.

99

A graphic and title that read "99".
In this collaborative game, students try to keep the cumulative total under 99 until the deck runs out.

Closest To

Six playing cards in two rows. A title reads, "Closet To..."
In this game, students develop place value comprehension, probability, and social-emotional skills.

Going for Gold

A pot of gold surrounded by playing cards forming math equations. A title reads, "Going for Gold".
Students use three cards to try to get as close to 15 as possible without going over.

Golf

An icon of a person golfing with playing cards. A title reads, "Golf".
Students attempt to minimize the value of their hand in this competitive card game.

War

Cards playing the game war, with a title that reads, "War".
Students practice with number magnitude in a simple card game.