Hands-on learning transforms abstract concepts into tangible discoveries. Adapting classic games like Connect 4 into structured classroom activities creates an engaging blend of spatial reasoning, critical thinking, and strategy.
Whether teaching foundational geometry, probability, or coding fundamentals, gamifying the Team Circle Activity in your lesson plan keeps students engaged while reinforcing core STEM standards.
Four Ways to Win: How to Use Connect 4 in the Classroom with Free Printables
.png "Four Ways to Win: How to Use Connect 4 in the Classroom with Free Printables")
Four Ways to Win: How to Use Connect 4 in the Classroom with Free Printables
DIY Built-In Connect 4 Wall Team-Building Activity
There are several ways to make this DIY board for classroom activities to engage kids. You can use felt or a blue cardstock sheet with painter’s tape, along with a pack of plastic plates for the circles, or just cut the circles from felt or cardboard.
Materials
- Large sheet of blue felt
- Paper Tape
- Yellow and red felt or cardstock for making circles (use a bottle or glass cover as a template).
- If you use felt for the circles, stick Velcro behind them. If the felt is good quality, it can stick on its own without Velcro.
- If using cardstock, cut the circles, laminate them, and stick Velcro on them.
- Use wood or foam strips for the frame for a fancier touch; however, this is completely optional.
How to make it:
- Large sheet of blue felt
- Paper Tape
- Yellow and red felt or cardstock for making circles (use a bottle or glass cover as a template).
- If you use felt for the circles, stick Velcro behind them. If the felt is good quality, it can stick on its own without Velcro.
- If using cardstock, cut the circles, laminate them, and stick Velcro on them.
- Use wood or foam strips for the frame for a fancier touch; however, this is completely optional.
Stick the big blue rectangular piece on the wall.
Use painter’s tape to make a square grid on the blue piece.
On the side, place a bucket or make a simple DIY container to hold the circles.
If there are teams playing, give yellow circles to one group and red circles to the other group.
Set a time limit for the game.
One team member comes at a time and places their team’s assigned colour circle in the grid.
Then, a member from the second team takes their turn.
Continue taking turns until the time is finished.
Collaborative Teamwork
Stick the big blue rectangular piece on the wall.
Use painter’s tape to make a square grid on the blue piece.
On the side, place a bucket or make a simple DIY container to hold the circles.
If there are teams playing, give yellow circles to one group and red circles to the other group.
Set a time limit for the game.
One team member comes at a time and places their team’s assigned colour circle in the grid.
Then, a member from the second team takes their turn.
Continue taking turns until the time is finished.
This activity can be made into a collaborative teamwork activity. Each group works together, while one member comes forward at a time to place the circle. The team members can discuss and decide where to place their circle.
Simple Printable Version
You can also play the activity using a simple paper version. Print the grid and coloured circles, laminate them, and reuse them for the activity.
Connect 4 for Math
Divide the class into 2 teams.
Put numbers or math questions on the board/cards.
Ask a question.
A team that answers correctly gets to place their colored counter on the Connect 4 board.
The first team to get 4 counters in a row wins.
Other Simple Ideas
Number Match: Put numbers on the board. Give a math problem. Students cover the correct answer.
Roll & Solve: Roll 2 dice. Students add, subtract, or multiply the numbers.
Math Bingo: Call out math problems. Students cover the correct answer.
Build the Number: Give a target number, such as 24. Students find different ways to make it: 6 × 4, 20 + 4, 30 − 6.
True or False: Show a math statement, such as 7 × 3 = 24. Students show 👍/👎 or move to a side of the room.
Mystery Number: Give clues: “I am greater than 20, less than 30, and divisible by 5.” Students guess the number.
More ideas here
4 Ways to Win: Free Collaborative Teamwork Activity with Free Printables
.png "Four Ways to Win")
Four Ways to Win
Divide the class into 2 teams.
Put numbers or math questions on the board/cards.
Ask a question.
A team that answers correctly gets to place their colored counter on the Connect 4 board.
The first team to get 4 counters in a row wins.
Number Match: Put numbers on the board. Give a math problem. Students cover the correct answer.
Roll & Solve: Roll 2 dice. Students add, subtract, or multiply the numbers.
Math Bingo: Call out math problems. Students cover the correct answer.
Build the Number: Give a target number, such as 24. Students find different ways to make it: 6 × 4, 20 + 4, 30 − 6.
True or False: Show a math statement, such as 7 × 3 = 24. Students show 👍/👎 or move to a side of the room.
Mystery Number: Give clues: “I am greater than 20, less than 30, and divisible by 5.” Students guess the number.
.png "Four Ways to Win") |
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