Truth or Dare Game: Math Task Cards to Provide Self-Differentiation and Promote Discussion
If you’re like me (and so many other teachers), you know that math task cards can be used in sooo many ways in middle school and upper elementary math classes.
From math centers to Footloose (or Scoot) to exit tickets to entrance tickets to mini-quizzes – the list of task card uses is so long!
Truth or Dare Game with Math Task Cards
However, if you’re like me in other ways, you’re always looking for something new and different to spice up math class. This year, my “new and different” was to start playing Truth or Dare in math (and language arts) classes!
To use task cards this way in middle school math, some of the question cards need to be written as True or False questions, which can make the questions a little trickier and lead to more in-depth thinking.
Dare questions are a little harder, and require students to complete more calculation or explain more than the Truth cards, and so they are worth more points.
- Truth cards are worth one point and Dare cards are worth 2 or 3. I’ve even thrown in a 4-pointer here and there:-)
Playing the Math Truth or Dare Game
This is how to play this math task card game (or ELA game, or game for any subject!)
1) Students are in groups of 3 – 4 (even partners would work – one student playing against another).
2) Each student gets a recording sheet.
3) Each group gets a set of “Truth” cards and a set of “Dare” cards (I make 18 of each). These go into separate piles, for students to pick from.
4) Students can decide who should go first, and then for each student’s turn, they decide to choose a Truth card or a Dare card.
5) During their turn, students read the question card aloud to the group, record their answer/work on the recording sheet, and share their answer with the group.
- I allow students to discuss the answers after the “official” answer is given, and sometimes students end up having great discussions!
6) When students answer a Truth card correctly, they earn 1 point. Dare cards are 2 or 3 points each – students won’t know the point value until they choose a card.
7) Students check the answers and record points they earned. Once all answers are checked and points earned are recorded, students add up their points to see who won!
Benefits of the Math Task Cards Truth or Dare Game
1) It makes middle school math practice fun AND engaging
What makes this game fun? Well, it’s a little different – ‘truth or dare’ in math class?!
- Students don’t always know how many points the Dare card will be worth, so that offers a little excitement.
Each student must choose a card and take a turn, and if you allow students to discuss after answers are given, it give the opportunity for more interaction.
2) It gives a chance for self-differentiation
Students can choose the type of question they want, so it allows for some self-differentiation.
- Having the choice gives the more hesitant students the chance to feel a little more confident.
4) It’s versatile!
You can use it for
- a game day/review day
- center activity
- in small groups OR
- as a whole class game
Students can even play the game by themselves and self-check (with print OR digital versions).
Digital Math Truth or Dare
After creating several paper and pencil Truth or Dare games, my wonderful friend Leah (Secondary Resources for Social Studies & English) suggested I make a Google classroom version, and I’m so glad I did!
It’s easy to use and there’s little to no copying needed! (A little copying if I want students to write their work/answers on paper; no copying if I want to share the Truth or Dare game in Edit mode and have students type their answers.)
Check out the 2-minute video below – it shows how the game works in Edit mode (there are one or two “slow to refresh” spots in the video, so please don’t think it’s not working:-)
Where to Find Math Truth or Dare Task Card Games
I hope you can use this task card game idea! You can check out the Truth or Dare task card games in my TPT shop by clicking HERE.
- This game can be used in any subject area, and I do have both a print template and digital template to help you make your own:-)
- Click HERE for print template
- Click HERE for digital template
Truth or Dare task card games (as well as other activities) are ALSO available to play on my digital math activities site, as web-based activities.
You can check out this Facebook Live (which is now on YouTube) to hear an explanation of how the game works.
Check out the Truth or Dare bundle or try the FREE Mean, Median, Mode, Range Truth or Dare game.
What other games or activities do you use math task cards for in middle school?
