Category: Math Games

Teaching Fractions with Yummy Pizza Pie

The rate of success for learning fractions in elementary class math depend on the teaching method used. Some of these methods are outlined here – simple to teach, and simple to apply. Having real life examples for students to connect with makes it easier for the brain to get into the right lane. Learners then have a good foundation in fractions to better understand how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

Most kids LOVE pizza, so make it fun and bring REAL pizza into the classroom, several if parents are okay with chipping in on the cost or if the principal authorizes this as a project. Or, do what we did, and bring in the ingredients, borrow the home economics room, and cook them right there in the classroom. If neither of these possibilities is viable, then divide the kids into groups of different numbers and ask them to draw a simple picture of a pizza on a piece of paper, with the number of slices drawn equal to the number of kids in their group.

May 10, 2011 | 2 comments View Post

Gratitude for Teachers: Goals of Teaching Elementary Math

Giving teachers a heads up Thank You is something that happens usually once or twice a year – maybe Valentine’s Day, Christmas time…we often wonder if parents and kids truly realize the giving that teachers do in their daily classroom lives – so we want to say Thank You!

Making the task of teaching elementary math a little easier on the shoulders of the teachers, here is a checklist of goals for the year, to check off through the year, and give yourself a pat on the back for all of your teaching efforts and successes. Given all that teachers do in the run of a teaching day, month, term and year, saying thank you is the least any of us can do.

Mar 02, 2011 | 0 comments View Post

Decimal Activities

Even kids use decimals almost everyday without even realizing it. They speak of dollars and cents in everyday conversation, and are using one of the applications of decimals. Yet for some reason, this remains one area of math that elementary students find intimidating. It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are several creative methods of teaching about tenths and hundredths that your learners will find simple and actually enjoy.

1) Kids seem to have trouble saying decimals correctly. The Human Decimal Machine is a way of helping them. On pieces of construction paper, write the digits 0 through 9, and another one with a decimal point, and give one to each

Oct 26, 2010 | 2 comments View Post

Tips for Teaching in the Elementary Classroom

Teaching math is teaching math, right? Not by a long shot! The way we approach teaching children is far different from how we teach adults, and both are completely different from how we teach adolescents. Although certain elements are the same, there are at least six differences in how it is better to teach in the elementary school classroom from how we would teach other students. Here’s a brief rundown of those six differences:

1) Working smarter to keep their attention. Elementary kids cannot focus on a long, drawn-out lecture for 45 minutes. Generally, they need to change up what they’re doing every 10 to 15 minutes. So if you have a 50 minute class, be prepared to change up what they’re doing about four or five times. This keeps it fresh and flowing!

2) We have to fill the child’s day with interactive activities. Kids won’t recite multiplication tables for 50 minutes, or memorize 50 states without some sort of fun game to do it through. Instead, we have them talk and share.

Oct 12, 2010 | 6 comments View Post

Meteor Madness

Meteor Multiplication assists students in learning multiplication. This is a fun video game for learning elementary multiplication. Large meteors with multiplication problems in them move from all around the screen toward a large star station in the center of the screen. Answers to the problems are placed in the center of the star station, the station gun is aimed at the approaching meteor,… and the gun is fired to disintegrate the meteor. If a meteor reaches the star station before disintegrated with the correct answer, the meteor hits the station and shatters. Answers are placed in the star station and gun moved and fired by designated keyboard keys. Hits and misses are recorded in the galaxy at the bottom of the screen. For a link to the game, you can go here:
http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/games/meteor/meteor.html

And for one of our fun games for teaching multiplication, division, subtraction and addition, you can try our Quiz Master:

http://math-lessons.ca/review/math-review4.html

Jul 26, 2010 | 1 comment View Post

Tic Tac Toe and Times Tables

We as adults play board games all the time. They are a way to break free from the everyday mundane tasks and allow us to enjoy some quality leisure time with the people we enjoy spending time with. The same philosophy goes for students. Students day in and day out are always learning new material so by incorporating a fun game into their learning activity will not only make time move a lot quicker, but the children will also be engaged as well. One game in particular that you can tie into your lesson plan could be Tic Tac Toe with times tables. Tic Tac Toe.svg

Dec 15, 2009 | 4 comments View Post

Point System for Multiplication Tables

$42-16225331$ You can teach the students a fun activity incorporating multiplication times-tables with this inquisitive game that includes the concept of a point system. Who doesn’t love a little competition? I think just about everyone, including children. So with that in mind how about teaching them a little about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as well?

Did you know that most people in general tend to do better with any activity when they are competing against someone else? One great way to accomplish this is to incorporate a technique through a fun and stimulating school activity. The way that this game works is that each student is given different times-tables problems.

Dec 09, 2009 | 2 comments View Post

Pyramid and Fractions

Many of us enjoyed playing with legos and blocks when we were younger. We used these to build what ever our little imaginations at the time seemed to be fascinated with. These building blocks, no pun intended, are the same philosophy applied to very basics of architecture throughout the world. Many students also enjoy any type of activity that gets them involved as well as allows them to be able to do something with their hands, which makes this next activity ideal for many students. By having the students use their hands to apply basic mathematical methods and apply these techniques into real life situations, their interest is captured in a great way.

Dec 04, 2009 | 0 comments View Post

Smarties Game for Learning Fractions

Teachers can implement a fun game for students that not only give them a chance to have fun learning fractions, but they can also learn how to use fractions in real life. This game CB058388 incorporates many skills that engage the students and motivate them in wanting to learn more. Some of the skills that are used are many of the fundamentals of math – as well as a variety of other subjects. Several of these skills include adding, creating their own fractions, and the opportunity to use their imagination. By using this innovative lesson plan students will have fun interacting with other students, share ideas, as well as practice their ability to understand fractions.

This game is ideal for students in grades 5-7. Students will learn how to compare fractions with one another.

Materials:

Mini-smarties candy bag

Nov 30, 2009 | 0 comments View Post

Puzzle Pieces for Multiplication Tables

Almost everyone loves the mystery of solving puzzles. They give us a chance to use our critical thinking skills – and, give us a sense of accomplishment when we are able to see the final product. By putting together a picture, separated into pieces, you are showing the class that sometimes more than one answer is required in order to solve the problem. You will also be demonstrating the importance and the value of teamwork. This is a great activity to use when teaching the students. What is even better is that you get involved as well, so everyone is included in this fun game. $math times$

Materials:

A 4×6 Poster or any size you desire

Construction Paper

Dark Marker

Regular Paper

Nov 25, 2009 | 0 comments View Post