GREAT MATH GAMES WILL HELP MAKE MATH FUN

CHECK OUT THESE GREAT ARTICLES!
The following article includes great games for practicing multiplication skills.

HeliumHaving fun with numbers

HeliumHomeschool unit study - beginning money and economics

http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

MINI MATH PUZZLES

This math worksheet is a great way to discover if the children have trouble with their weights and measurements. It's great for 3rd grade through adults! (maybe some really smart 2nd graders as well) The order of operation comes into play on a couple of the examples. I use the word PEMDAS to remind the kids that the order you do the math is parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.

1. Multiply the # of legs on an octopus times the number of sides on a triangle. Next, add the # of legs on an ant to the answer and subtract the # of wheels on 8 unicycles. Finally, subtract the # of quarts in a gallon. What’s the answer?

2. Multiply the # of sides of a pentagon times the # of days in the week and add the # of months in a year. Next, subtract the # of wheels on four bicycles and and subtract the # of hours in a day. What’s the answer?

3. Multiply the # of legs on a spider times the # of sides on a quadrilateral. Next, add the # of degrees in a circle and subtract the # of seconds in a minute. Finally, subtract the # of ounces in a pound. What’s the answer?

4. Multiply the # of inches in a foot times the # of years in a decade. Next, add the # of days in a non-leap year and subtract the # of days in December. Finally, subtract the # of eggs in 3-dozen eggs. What’s the answer?

5. Multiply the # of feet in a mile by the # of years in a century. Next, divide your answer by the # of pints in a quart and subtract the # of days in a leap year times a century. Then subtract the # of eyes on 10,000 people. What’s the answer?

6. Multiply the # of ounces in a cup times the # of months it takes to have a normal baby and subtract the # of wheels on 5 tricycles. Next, add the # of horns on 20 unicorns and subtract the # of days in November. What’s the number?


ANSWERS KEY

1. 8 X 3 + 6 – 8 – 4= 18
2. 5 X 7+12-8 –24 = 15
3. 8 X 4 + 360 – 60 – 16 = 316
4. 12 X 10 + 365 – 31 – 36 = 418
5. 5,280 X 100 divided by 2 – (2 x 10,000) = 207,400
6. 8 x 9 – 15 + 20 – 30 = 47

http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html

http://kathystemke.weebly.com

MATH AND MOVEMENT

Games are a great way to include all learning styles and reach every student in your class. Enthusiasm is contagious! When I introduce a new math game to my students with excitement and joy in my voice, they respond in kind.

MATH AND MOVEMENT Coming from an elementary, as well as physical education background, I not only use conventional math games, but I also use math games that involve large motor skills. Instead of insisting that kids stay in their seats, they get to jump and hop as they learn math. Young children love to move, so when you combine math and movement, you are sure to have a winner!

BEACH BALL MATH requires the teacher to section off a ball into squares with a marker. Each square houses a math problem (add, subtract, multiply, divide, etc). The children toss the ball to each other, and when they catch it, they answer the problem under their right thumb. For young children the problem can be as simple as identifying numbers or shapes, and for older children a way of practicing multiplication or division facts.

MATH TOSS is a favorite game for all ages. The teacher paints and numbers shapes on a large foam board. In each shape, they cut holes big enough for a small beanbag to fit through. Being sure not to cover the holes, they then glue or staple the board to a large cardboard box. The children toss two beanbags into the holes and either add, subtract or multiply the numbers together. Use your imagination with the older students and have them square the numbers first and then add them together.

SKIP JUMP MATH is a favorite game for young children. Using lighter colored vinyl, cut out shapes, number them with marker, and tape them to the floor. The students jump from shape to shape, saying each number as they land. The children can skip count by 1's, 2's, 3's,etc. They can jump in ascending or descending order. Skip jumping is a great way to introduce multiplication.

Use your creativity! Any of these games can be modified to fit all age groups or concepts that you are teaching (even phonics or sight words). Create your own games using the kid's favorite activities. It could be anything from "soccer math" to "math bingo." I hope that I have sparked your imagination, so that you will invent innovative and exciting games for your students. Have fun! I know your students will.