Teachers on their favorite ways to use Number Hive

Posted in
January 19, 2025

By Chris, Math Teacher & Founder of Number Hive

Getting students excited about math and building their skills in meaningful ways can be challenging. As a math teacher, I know firsthand the importance of making learning both engaging and effective. That’s why I created Number Hive—a game designed to help students build flexible fluency with math facts.

In this post, I’ll break down some favorite ways teachers use Number Hive in the classroom. From quick warm-ups to collaborative problem-solving, there’s a use case for every learning goal. Here’s how teachers are integrating Number Hive and seeing results!


1. Warm-Up Activity: Engage and Motivate with Quick Rounds

Starting the class with a quick warm-up can be a game-changer. Number Hive is perfect for short, focused rounds that wake up students’ math brains while keeping energy levels high.

  • How It Works: Begin with a few 5-minute rounds of Number Hive to get everyone warmed up. Students can play in pairs or individually, competing against each other or working through the app’s mazes and challenges. This quick session builds confidence in math operations without pressure.
  • Tip: For an even quicker setup, the printable version is a great option, requiring minimal tech and set-down time.
  • What You Need: Digital or printable versions of Number Hive; projectors if demonstrating for the whole class.

2. Individual Practice: Reinforce Math Facts at Their Own Pace

Number Hive provides focused practice for students to master essential math facts at a comfortable pace.

  • How It Works: Students log into the app on their devices and work through game levels that reinforce specific math facts. Start by practicing against the AI bot where they can increase difficulty as they progress, building confidence and fluency in a low-stress environment. Once more confident, students can play with classmates.
  • Tip: Set up a Class Hive for easy tracking of time, progress, and points, keeping students motivated and accountable. Use our Hive Challenges for students to work through some tough challenges.
  • What You Need: Devices for each student, either digital or printable versions of Number Hive.

3. Small Group Challenge: Foster Teamwork and Strategy

For a collaborative twist, try team-based Number Hive activities that encourage communication and strategic thinking.

  • How It Works: Divide students into teams to play against one another. Working together to solve math problems faster than their opponents encourages teamwork and peer learning. For a less competitive approach, mazes or challenges can be a collaborative alternative.
  • Tip: Rotate team members weekly to encourage students to collaborate with different peers, helping build communication skills and sharing strategies. Use our Hive Challenges for students to work through some tough challenges.
  • What You Need: Digital or printable game boards, mazes, and challenges.

4. Whole-Class Tournament: Build Energy and Celebrate Math

Tournaments are an exciting way to bring the entire class together and spark enthusiasm for math practice.

  • How It Works: Set up a class tournament where students play in rounds, with winners advancing through stages. You could even hold a “School Champion” tournament! This format allows all students to participate and enjoy the game as a fun, celebratory event.
  • Tip: Give shout-outs for qualities like effort and sportsmanship, not just victories. Recognizing these attributes fosters a positive, inclusive atmosphere.
  • What You Need: Digital or printable game boards and a projector for whole-class visuals.

5. Class Reflection: Reinforce Learning Through Discussion

Ending a lesson or taking a pause with reflection helps students consolidate their learning and provides valuable insights for both students and teachers.

  • How It Works: Ask reflection questions like, “What strategy worked best for you?” or “Did you encounter any challenging moments? How did you overcome them?” This encourages students to articulate their thinking and reinforces problem-solving skills.
  • Tip: Track and share successful strategies to build a collaborative environment where students can learn from each other. You could use our effective questioning guide to help.
  • What You Need: Digital or printable versions of Number Hive; a whiteboard for capturing strategies. For a helpful scaffold, you can also use our discussion questions.

6. Explicit Instruction Through Game Situations: Deepen Understanding of Number Operations

Using Number Hive with explicit instruction allows students to explore concepts deeply and understand the why behind math operations.

  • How It Works: Choose a game scenario where students face an interesting challenge, like reaching a target number with few moves. Project the scenario, and walk through possible moves with guiding questions like, “Why choose this number?” or “What would happen if we used multiplication here?”
  • Tip: Connect these scenarios with other math topics to show students that math skills are interconnected.
  • What You Need: Projector, digital or printable Number Hive boards. Our discussion questions can be used for this.

7. Teacher vs. Student Battle: Build Engagement and Excitement

A teacher vs. student game can be an incredibly engaging way to play, fostering a fun learning environment while discussing strategy in real-time.

  • How It Works: Set it up as a teacher vs. student challenge on the big screen. Build hype by inviting classmates to assist each side, creating a fun, engaging atmosphere. Use this time to discuss strategy and engage the class in math-rich discussion.
  • Tip: Manage this activity carefully to maintain a supportive environment, encouraging teamwork and camaraderie.
  • What You Need: A digital device connected to a projector for whole-class visibility.

8. Outside the Classroom: Backfill Skills & Involve Families

Outside the classroom, Number Hive is ideal for reinforcing foundational skills and engaging families in math practice.

  • How It Works: Students can use Number Hive at home to fill in any gaps and build foundational math skills at their own pace. Teachers are also encouraging families to play Number Hive together, making math a positive, shared experience.
  • Tip: Many families purchase a Family Hive account, allowing them to track points and analyze progress, while reinforcing correct techniques.
  • What You Need: Family Hive subscription for home use.

9. Substitute-Friendly: A Go-To Activity for When You’re Away

Number Hive is perfect for substitute teachers, providing an easy, structured activity that students are already familiar with.

  • How It Works: With simple rules and engaging gameplay, students can work independently or in small groups, keeping them engaged and focused even when their teacher is away.
  • Tip: Leave a Class Hive setup and some printed game boards so substitutes can manage the activity with ease. Feel free to give students our Number Hive Challenges.
  • What You Need: Printed Number Hive boards for quick setup and digital access if devices are available.

10. Retrieval Practice with Spaced Repetition: Strengthen Long-Term Retention

Number Hive also supports retrieval practice with spaced repetition—a proven technique to help students retain information long-term.

  • How It Works: Number Hive revisits math facts across different game scenarios, encouraging repeated exposure to essential concepts. This spaced repetition solidifies recall and supports lasting retention.
  • Tip: Schedule Number Hive sessions periodically to help students reinforce skills they’ve previously learned, boosting their math confidence.
  • What You Need: Digital or printable game boards.

Final Thoughts

Number Hive is a versatile, engaging tool for math lessons. From quick warm-ups to rich discussions, it adapts to a range of classroom needs, helping students build fluency, confidence, and strategic thinking.

Integrating Number Hive into your instruction might take a little experimentation to find the perfect fit for your students, but in my experience, it’s well worth the effort. Not only does it make learning fun, but it also lets students connect with math in a way that feels like play.

I’d love to hear how Number Hive works in your classroom! Give it a try, and feel free to reach out if you have questions or need tips.

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