So, I was lying in bed one night and my mind kept racing..."How could I make math test prep FUN?" "What could I do to replace the repetitive habit of assigning sampler after sampler for preparing for our state standardized tests?" Then it hit me! A MATH CARNIVAL!!!
So, I decided that I would make this vision come to life.
It took A LOT OF PLANNING. And that is the truth!
I had no idea where to start. All I knew is how I wanted it to look. I wanted streamers, colors, food, and games. Not lame games. I wanted REAL CARNIVAL GAMES!
I emailed my principal and told him that I wanted to have a carnival. I swear he probably thinks I am CRAY CRAY! I am haha. When I dream of something, I dream big and I make it happen...
If you want to make your own carnival and save the time of planning, keep reading! It is a blast!
Download my 11-page Math Carnival: Getting Started Guide to begin your journey!
Here is your shopping list! There are ways around this though. My guide explains it all.
You have to decide how many games you want and what skills will be assessed for each game. You can make signs like these below or get them with my bundle already made. Plus they are editable too!
You also need task cards for each game. You can buy task cards, make up questions for each game, or find them online free. My bundle has all of the questions that you need for a 4th grade carnival. I used numbers to place on the games. Those numbers corresponded with the question asked or the amount of tickets won!
Here are some of the games that I had at my carnival:
Notice that I used table cloths for the tables. Also, I want to point out that at each game I placed a dry erase board, marker, and eraser so that the kids can work on the questions asked. Next, I want to show you the bags that I used. I made up bags with parent directions, task cards, an answer key, and a bag of tickets torn out already.
The directions make it easy for parent volunteers to know how to run each station at the math carnival. The answers are included so that the parents don't have to think at all. I just want it to be enjoyable for everyone. Also, I had about 100 tickets in a small baggie. This is for the kids to win as they play the games.
I also made groups up with about 2-3 students each and created a schedule for my kiddos to use on the day of the carnival so that they knew exactly what game they were supposed to be playing at designated times. The schedule and the group pages are included in my bundle, but you could make your own too if you want!
Next, I made a map of my room. I decided where I wanted the games to be.
I contacted selected a date before state testing and contacted my parents, asking for volunteers. I mentioned needing a popcorn machine and/or cotton candy maker. Of course, some people had them! EXCITING!
The prize table was a bit tricky. I needed to decide how many tickets each prize would be. I also needed to get some prizes. I bought prizes, but you could make prizes. You could use homework passes or reward tickets, whatever you want! It doesn't have to cost a lot! So, I made ticket cards for the table.
I had my students help me decide how many tickets each prize would be worth. It was pretty funny hearing them work as a class to decide! Then, they started to realize that if they made a prize that they wanted worth 1 ticket, they may not be able to win one because they would be gone quick! So smart!
So, decide if you want to try this! You could make a reading carnival, science carnival, social studies carnival! Hopefully this guide helps you get started and helps you plan out a fun and exciting learning experience for your kids!
If you want to save time and do not want to make the instructions, map, schedule, signs, ticket labels, task cards, or number templates, then click here to purchase my bundle.
