Well Played, Grades 6-8 Building Mathematical Thinking Through Number and Algebraic Games and Puzzles

1. Introduction  2. Supporting Learning Through Games and Puzzles  3. Organizing for Success  4. The Number System  5. Ratios and Proportional Relationships  6. Expressions and Equations  7. Statistics and Probability  8. Patterns, Graphs, and Functions

Biography

Linda Dacey, Professor Emeritus at Lesley University, has always believed that learning mathematics should be conceptually based and enjoyable. She has written numerous classroom materials for students as well as professional books for teachers focused on problem solving, strategies for differentiation, numbers and operations, and writing to learn mathematics.

Karen Gartland is the PreK-Grade 8 Mathematics Supervisor for the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District. She enjoys working with faculty, focusing on best practices for teaching mathematics, including conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and applications. Karen is also an adjunct faculty at several universities.

Jayne Bamford Lynch is a Math Instructional Coach in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She joyfully spends her days in elementary classrooms supporting teachers and students in making math connections. Jayne is also an adjunct faculty member at Lesley University.

“Well Played, 6-8 is an essential resource for middle school math teachers, providing practical instructional strategies for integrating games as a core part of their pedagogy. The book is organized with math content themes in mind and includes specific, high-quality games with all necessary components to play. This resource serves as a valuable resource with a long shelf life for classroom instruction, intervention and math coaching and will be a tool you come back to over and over again to bring the benefits of relaxed curiosity into your math learning environment.”

—Ashley Marlow, MS.Ed, Director of Operations at All Learners Network

“Well Played, 6–8, Second Edition is a powerhouse resource that transforms evidence-based practices into engaging math games that genuinely deepen students’ conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. The updated edition’s new and revised games, streamlined materials, fresh exit card options, and added student work examples make planning easier and learning richer. It’s an essential go-to for any teacher who wants math class to be both meaningful and fun."

—Hilary Kreisberg, Ed.D., Author of Partnering with Parents in Elementary School Math and Adding Parents to the Equation

“Great series! As coaches, we’ve developed a variety of professional learning sessions, both within our district and at the state level, centered on the concepts in these books. We appreciate how they highlight the power of using games to support social-emotional learning and math for all students.”

—Jaraun Mustain, District Math Coach and Valerie Hope SEL/Behavior Coach, Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union

“As a middle school math teacher, I am always looking for new and fun ways to engage my students. I especially appreciate when I can differentiate the games for learners of varying math skills. Well Played, 6-8 offers this differentiation, reaching and challenging the range of learners in my classroom.”

—Julie Watson, middle school math teacher, Acton-Boxborough Regional School District