Gist: Students draw a card to determine which problem they do, then find students whose cards make the designated hand.  Highest score wins.

 

Why Do It? Students rarely care much about the work they do on a worksheet.  Playing [this version of] Poker gets them up and moving, narrows down how many problems they have to do, increases engagement and motivation, and generally breaks the doldrum of a regular school day.  Students have to collaborate and cooperate as they compete.

 

Materials:

-Playing Cards

 

Directions to Make:

-None

 

Set Up:

1.  Pull out the face cards (except the Ace) and set aside--these are not needed. 

2.  Choose and number 10 problems from your worksheet.

 

To Play:

1.  Make sure the worksheet is narrowed down and renumbered accordingly.  Copy and distribute the worksheet.

2.  Students write names on the board to keep score OR teacher records score on the class roster.

3.  Deal 1 card to each student.  Students complete that problem.

4.  When everyone is ready, call out a hand, like 4 of a kind, flush, or full house. 

5.  Students scramble to find people with corresponding cards to form that hand.

6.  Students who do not find a hand to join should make a group together.

7.  Once grouped, students should work together to make sure they agree on their team members' answers.  Students record those answers on their own worksheets.

8.  When ready, they go to the teacher to have their hand checked.  If all members have the correct answers, each member scores 1 point for that hand.  If even one member is incorrect, the team receives no point.

9.  Disband groups, re-deal cards, and repeat as long as desired.

10.  Players with the highest final scores win.

 

Caution and Tips:

-If you call 4 of a kind, this gives struggling students a chance to check their answer against 3 other people.

-Students who do not find a hand to join may make a larger group than the other hands.  This gives them a greater challenge to make sure EVERY member of the group is correct.

-Have examples of the hands ready to show the students so those with little card-playing experience understand.

-Be prepared with a couple printed copies of the worksheet in case any students choose not to comply with your expectations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variations:

-Do not call out a hand.  Instead, allow students to group themselves.  Give points according to highest hand point value (standard Poker rules).

-Allow students to keep the same card/problem for several hands.

-Play with Uno cards and have students group by color or number.  Players with no match would be out for the round.