Major Wager Decimals Review - Grade 5
A strategy-based review game using decimals questions to build accuracy, confidence, and smart risk-taking.
What is this?
Major Wager is an individual review game where students start with $10 and strategically wager money on each question. For every round, students may wager up to half of their current total, rounding down if the amount is odd. Students solve each problem independently and show their work on a whiteboard. If the answer is correct, they add their wager to their total. If the answer is incorrect, they subtract their wager. This particular Major Wager set focuses on decimal skills, such as place value, comparing decimals, and decimal operations. The game encourages strategic thinking, accountability, and persistence while keeping students engaged through risk-based decision making.
How do I use it?
1. Set a clear intention: today is a Major Wager review day. 2. Decide how students will play: •Whole class, with each student working independently, or •Small groups, where students collaborate and one student from each group shares the answer 3. Remind students they start with $10 and may wager up to half of their total (rounding down if needed). 4. Display the next slide. Students make their wager before knowing the question. 5. Reveal the question (most are decimals review, with a few surprise non-math questions mixed in). 6. Students solve or respond and show their work when applicable. 7. Reveal the correct answer and adjust totals by adding or subtracting the wager. 8. On designated slides, pause for a Boot Camp Break (sit-ups, high knees, wall sits, etc.). 9. Repeat until the game is complete.
Other tips?
•Don’t warn students about the non-math questions. The surprise is part of the strategy. •Lean into the theme and run the game like a drill sergeant for extra engagement. •Keep Boot Camp Breaks short and fun so momentum stays high. •Use group play if you want more discussion before committing to a wager. •Require wagers to be written before questions are revealed to maintain fairness. •Remind students that smart wagers matter more than perfect streaks.
Visual teaching support for your projector. Put an agenda and timer up, run interactive activities, and much more.