Standards

On January 8, 2002 the No Child Left Behind Act was officially signed into law. This federal legislation required states to create standards identifying their exact learning content for reading and math in grades 3-8. State governments responded as directed by constructing official standards to guide classroom instruction and promote student achievement. 

The scopes of these standards feature variety in their levels of detail and in their organizational design. Amidst the unique language and distinct structures, common threads do make themselves apparent. One commonality is the presence of standards related to basic math facts.  Some states use very precise language such as Know the addition facts (sums to 20) and the corresponding subtraction facts and commit them to memory (California) and Add and subtract efficiently and accurately with single-digit numbers (Tennessee). Other states incorporate a broader description like Demonstrate knowledge of basic facts in four operations (Pennsylvania) and Perform addition and subtraction with whole number combinations (New Mexico). Regardless of where a particular state’s vernacular falls on this spectrum, all state governments in America expect their students to show competency with basic math facts. 

Teachers can bring this website into their classrooms with the confidence that their curriculum is being strengthened in regards to state standards. Addressing these standards, in turn, prepares students for the high-stakes, standardized tests that are ever present in elementary education.

Standards For Our Games

To access the math standards for a particular state, click the links below:

- Text contributed by Michael Maffesoli.  Mr. Maffesoli is the Math Specialist at Allendale Elementary School in Melvindale, MI.  www.MrMaffesoli.com

Teacher Success

"Many of the students play video games all the time at home. This was a way to let them enjoy their playing time, but to practice a skill at the same time."
- Mrs. Smeltz's success story in Lititz, PA.

"Aligning the joy of gaming with practicing math facts clearly helps transform the experience and invites students to learn in an environment they are not only comfortable with but would seek out given the choice."
- Mr. Sprankle's success story in Wells, ME.

"The math activities on your site have improved the students performance grades in classroom timed tests and have boosted the students confidence in their math abilities."
- Mr. White's success story in New Baltimore, MI.

"The students love this. They get so excited. Several of my students would rather stay inside at recess to play the games instead of going outside."
- Mrs. Kido's success story in Topeka, KS.