Matching in Math?

Note: Sorry, today's column is running a bit late but due to attending a conference, traveling back in time for Parent Teacher Conference, I didn't get things done ahead of time.

Back to the regularly scheduled column.   Last night, my mind woke me up in the middle of the night thinking about matching games based on the concentration model.  The one where a person chooses two cards to see if they match.  If they match, the person gets the pair, if not they are flipped over for the other person to try.

The conference I just finished attending, said that sometimes you need to unplug and do things without digital devices.  These can be done using index cards and pens.  You can have students prepare sets so that you do not have to make them.

1.  Vocabulary - Prepare two cards per word.  The first card has the word while the second card has the definition.
           Make a set with the vocabulary word and an example
           Make one with the vocabulary word and a picture,

2.  Word sentences - Prepare two cards per word, the first card has the written sentence while  the second card has the algebraic or arithmetic equation.
           This can be done the reverse way from the equation to the word sentence.

3.  GCF or LCF.  The first card has a pair of numbers while the second card has the GCF or LCM of the two numbers.  You just have to make sure none of them repeat so they do not share answers.

4. Process - The first card can have the equation while the second card has the next step to solve the equation.  Its quite possible to set it up so it takes a couple rounds to solve the equation from start to finish.  If an equation takes four steps to finish, it requires the student to find two matching pairs.

5.  Geometry - the first card has the shape while  the second card has the the name of the shape.
             The first card has the shape while the second card has the formula for area, volume, or perimeter.
             The first card has a description of the shape while the second has a picture.
             The first card has a picture of angles and the second card has the name or vice versa.

6.  Decimals, Fractions, and Percents.  The first card has a decimal and the second a fraction or the first a fraction with the second being a decimal, or a decimal and a percent.

So many possibilities to create games.  If you would rather use digital devices, there are some websites you can go to to create actual games.

This site allows you to create your own matching game but they show both options at once you just have to match them from a crowd of choices.  They also have a gallery of games made by others so you don't always have to begin from scratch.  It is free and allows one to sign in through your google I.D.  It also gives you a code to let people access the game.

This is a site that makes the game more of a concentration with cards facedown.  You can create for free but it costs if you want to download it to your computer to print. 

Both look easy to put together. The only reason, I'm more into the cards rather than the digital for this game is that I can have students talk a bit more rather than focusing on their devices.  Next week, where do you find templets for other games and google home use in the classroom.

Have a great day and let me know what you think.