Using games and online tools to teach math
If your students look bewildered and confused after you explain a little math problem, wake up their brains with even more math -- Math games, that is.
Start off with Quick Math, a test of speed in identifying the math symbol that completes the equation. Now that your students are warmed up, check out FunBrain's Change Maker, where purchases are computed mentally. The class can play the game with American, Australian or Mexican dollars or British pounds, making it very interesting indeed.
From basic mathematical operations, move on to algebra with Algebraic Reasoning. Here, the task is presented using several scales and toys in a store. One scale with four presents could read “36”, and a second scale with 3 presents and 2 drums could read “35.” The task of the students includes finding the value of 1 drum.
This way, algebraic equations do not end up as an incomprehensible string of letters and numbers.
If you want to follow this with geometry, you can try the Eyeballing Game, which challenges students to estimate answers to various geometric tasks. This includes adjusting graphics to make a parallelogram, or finding the midpoint of a line segment.
The game gives out scores based on how close you were to the actual “units.” Other ways on visualizing math concepts can be found in these posts: visualizing math, visualizing Pi and visualizing scale.
If you also want to add more information in your lessons, or give students a chance to try out interactive math sites, check out these sites:
Matter loading
The British Society for the History of Mathematics
Encyclopaedia Britannica – has more than 400 mathematicians’ biographies
A Visual Dictionary of Plane Curves
Lesson plans
Lesson Plans for the Graphing Calculator
Lesson Plans using Geometer's Sketchpad
Math Activities for K-12 Teachers
Math Central's Resource Room
Math Forum's Math Lesson Plans
New York Times - Daily Lesson Plans - Mathematics
SCORE Mathematics Lessons
Teachers Helping Teachers - Math Section
Centre for Teaching Mathematics
Classroom Compass
Games and interaction
Figure This! – math challenges for families
The Interactive Mathematics Program
Project MATHEMATICS! – has videotape and workbook modules on basic high school math
The Role of Story Problems in Transition from Arithmetic to Algebra
Wonderful Ideas- is a newsletter featuring math activities and games for teaching
Math and technology
Teachers Using Technology in Mathematics
Teaching Mathematics and Its Applications
Technology And Mathematics Education (TAME) Forum
Technology Tools for Secondary School mathematics
Technology Tools for Science and Mathematics Learning
Sources:
“Links to external pages.” Retrieved October 21, 2009 from
http://www.gap-system.org/~history/External/external_links.html
“Math Lessons.” Retrieved October 21. 2009 from http://archives.math.utk.edu/k12.html
“Math games.” Retrieved October 21, 2009 from
http://headinside.blogspot.com/2009/03/math-games.html
(Published 3 November 2009, Smart Communications Inc.)
