Editable Back to School Four in a Row Printable Game
Get this free editable Back to School Four in a Row printable game. It’s perfect for word work, math facts, letters, numbers and more!
Editable Back to School Four in a Row Literacy Activity
With so many math and literacy skills to practice this fall, you have to keep your students’ learning fresh and fun.
This editable back to school four in a row game is going to be the perfect way to engage your students all year long. This editable game is so versatile, as you can add any skill you want to it. You can create different game boards all at once to easily differentiate for your students.
Practice different skills such as learning sight words, CVC words, phonics skills, spelling words, vocabulary words, letters, numbers, math facts, number sense, and more. The only limit with this game is your creativity!
With so many skills you can practice, this game is perfect for preschool and kindergarten learners, but could easily be used in first and second grade too. You can use it for literacy centers, word work, math centers about addition and subtraction facts, and more.
One of the great aspects of this activity is that students will practice math and literacy skills alongside critical thinking skills.
As they read the word, number, or solve the problem on each space, they’ll also have to think critically about which space they want to go for as they work to get four in a row and prevent their opponent from getting four in a row first.
Easy Prep
Students learn in so many different ways, which can make your job hard, but this fun and engaging back to school activity will become a favorite among your students. Plus, it is so simple for you! You will fill in the 12 spaces in the table, and those words will be auto-populated into the game board. Then, print and go!
To make these back to school four in a row game boards, the process is simple. All you have to do is decide what skill you’re focusing on and type the words, numbers, math facts, etc., into the table on the first page of the activity file. You’ll have a total of 12 spaces to fill. Once you’ve filled the spaces, the game board will auto-populate for you. Then all you need to do is save the file, print, and go!
The free resource comes in black and white and a color version! You will be able to make a lot of game boards in a small amount of time and meet all the different levels in your classroom.
Setting Up the Back to School Editable Four in a Row Literacy Game
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Supplies Needed:
- Back to School Four in a Row Printable (button to get the resource at the bottom of this post)
- Mini erasers, counting chips, buttons, snap cubes, or any other small manipulatives.
- Write and wipe pockets or a laminator and lamination sheets.
Instructions:
- Type in letters, numbers, sight words, spelling words, math facts, or any skill into the first page of the PDF file. There are 12 spaces to type in.
- Name and save the file to your computer.
- Print the game board and slide into write and wipe pockets for durability OR laminate them.
- Store in a large zipperd bag or colorful tray for easy access.
How to Play the Back to School Four In A Row Game
Your students will catch on to the directions for this game very fast, especially if they have experience playing Connect 4! The game’s object is to be the first player to get four spaces in a row filled first either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. This requires critical thinking and strategy.
Students will take turns choosing a space on the game board and solving the problem, reading the word, etc. If the student solves the problem or reads the word correctly, they’ll cover the space with their manipulative. Then it’s the next player’s turn.
They must think strategically to keep their opponent from achieving four in a row, all while working to achieve four in a row themselves.
The first player to successfully get four game pieces in a row is the winner of that round. Students can then clear their game board and play again or switch partners. You can even use this as a review game and have them change game boards to work on a different skill.
Along with math and literacy skills and critical thinking practice, students will also work on social skills such as cooperative learning and sportsmanship as they play the game with different partners or in small groups.
Differentiation Ideas
Since this school time-themed four in a row game is editable, differentiation is simple. You can use the same game board for all of your students but tailor the skills to fit the level they’re at. This helps all students feel equal. Once they know how to play the game, they’ll be successful in playing with different skills in the future.
You can also add a different element of fun to this game by having students use other game markers on the game board. You can use items such as mini-erasers, pom-poms, clear game markers, manipulatives, dry-erase markers while slipped into write and wipe pockets.
Your class would love it if you played the students in a friendly competition to see who can get 4 in a row first! This would be fun to start the school year and bond with your students.
I like this resource for a fun way to learn spelling words, practice sight words, or practice reading vocabulary words for a specific unit. This editable sight word game is excellent for a whole room activity because everyone can be working on the skills they need to practice.
Hurry and get this free resource for your back to school time! It doesn’t take long to prep and will keep your students occupied and engaged in numerous subjects. Back to school time can be stressful but this activity can make it a little easier for you!
Click the button below to get the FREE editable back to school four in a row board game. Happy learning!
Here are some more back to school printables to check out!
Back to School Letter Sound Mats
Back to School Beginning Sounds Pencil Puzzles
Back to School Editable Bump Game
Back to School Editable Word Building Mats
Back to School Editable Write the Room