Math Games

Posts Tagged ‘resources’

Question: Any ideas for good review games for students?

I am a first year high school math teacher. I have some fun ideas for review games before tests to use with my students. We have played all sorts of games like Jeopardy, Basketball, even variations of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. I like to use these games because the kids get really involved and excited about learning when it's fun. But I'm always looking for more ideas to help my students. Are there any ideas you might have for fun review games for high schoolers?

Answer: I know you mentioned Jeopardy already, but there are a few sites on the internet that allow you to download a PowerPoint Jeopardy program. If you have an Infocus in your classroom, the kids really get into this kind of review. Some of the PP's come with the Jeopardy sounds and everything!

I do a thing called a Waterfall with my kids in math, but it's more for skills related tests. I line the kids up facing eachother in their desks. Let's say it's 7 kids and 7 kids. I make review worksheets with, maybe, 10 problems on each one. I make 7 worksheets. It's technically a game of speed, so it's only sensible for a homogeneous class where no one will be embarrassed by slow processing speed. The first person on each team gets a stack of the 7 worksheets. I set the timer for something like 45 seconds or something. It depends on the worksheet. You click the timer and the first person on each team starts doing the work on the first worksheet. They do as many problems as they can and then you yell "Waterfall" and they give that sheet to the next person in line. They start on the next one, and so forth and so on. When the last person finishes the last sheet, i.e. you yell "time", the team with the most CORRECT answers wins. I give out free homework passes or something like that.

Whole Brain Teaching: High School Math

Question: Has anyone got any ideas on maths games for 4-5 year old children that can be used in the classroom?

Designed to assist in the development of an understanding of concepts of shape or number.

Answer: I'll just copy and paste a few ideas that I've collected through the years. If you care to email me I can email you more if you are interested.

"Jump Cards": Use to reinforce colors, shapes, numbers, alphabet recognition, etc. Find plenty of cardboard squares to use. For example to make "Shape Jump Cards" - you will need to make all different kinds of shapes on construction paper - cut and glue each shape onto it's own cardstock square. Laminate. On other cardstock squares draw a stick figure person to look like he is jumping. When completed - shuffle all cardboard squares together - the children sit in a circle (on the floor or in a chair) and the teacher uses these as flash cards. The children call out the shapes as they are shown but when they come to the "Jump Guy" - they can jump up out of their chair. All of my children throughout the years have loved this activity. It keeps their attention focused on the cards - and they just can not wait to JUMP!! Use this idea to make color cards, alphabet cards, number cards, name recognition cards, etc ( I made mine on the computer-used various objects that were definately a main shape...printed and cut the cards out. They get much use.)

Jump ‘n’ Dial: Create 9x12 inch numeral (black on white like the phone). Use the number 0 though 9. Arrange the number on the floor to resemble the layout of a telephone keypad. Invite the children to take turns jumping from one square to another in the sequence of his phone number. Have him call out the numbers as he jumps. Memorizing a phone number has never been so much fun.

Stack a Tower: Create cards with numbers/dots to be reviewed. Place cards with about 15 blocks. Have the children count the dots on the card and create towers with the same number of blocks. Create as many towers as they can with that number.
• Place cards in block area.

Counting Box: Cover a shoebox with colorful covering and die-cut numbers. Each day, put a number of theme-related items inside the box. For example, you might put in candy corn pieces at Halloween or bear counters for a bear theme. During circle time, ask a child to shake the box and guess what might be inside. Then have him open the box, reveal the contents to the class, and then count the items.

Simon Says: Teacher is Simon and gives the children directions using numbers. Count together as the children follow the orders that Simon gives them.
“Simon says, ‘Hop up and down 3 times.’”
“Simon says, ‘Slowly clap 6 times.’ ‘Quickly.’”
“Simon says, ‘Twirl your arms 4 times.’”
“Simon says, ‘Nod your head side to side 10 times.’”
•Instead of the children sitting down when “out”, have them repeat the action correctly and then join the group again.

Hokey Pokey Numbers: A neat way to teach number recognition is to use the words to the Hokey Pokey song. An example would be: Have four children stand up during Group Time and give them the "number 4" to hold out in front of them. (You can print the number on a large index card in advance.) Then sing......You put your number 4 in, you take your number 4 out, you......you do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around. That's what it's all about. The kids love playing this game. You can do the same thing with other numbers as well as with shapes and letters.

Beanbags Galore: Teaching: Shapes, number names, colors Cut from cardboard ten shapes (triangles, circles, squares, rectangles) and color the shapes different colors with magic marker and number them 1-10. The object of this game is to have the child try to toss a beanbag and make it land on a cardboard shape. In the beginning, the child would be asked to name only the color. Later on, after the child is comfortable with colors, shapes and then number names may be added.

Erase a Number: Write numbers all over a chalkboard including many 5s. Show the children a number five that has been written on a sheet of paper. Talk about the shape. Point to several of the number 5s on the chalkboard. Then allow the children to erase the number five.
•Have the children erase all the numbers but five.
•Have the children use chalk to practice writing their own fives on the board.

iPod Gaming in the Classroom: Meet the Math Coach's SIM