Math Games That Are Not Computer Based.

 

This year, I've been trying to incorporate games into my Algebra I class to help students practice the skills they are learning while making the learning more fun.  I use a couple of online games but I also try to incorporate some that are not computer based so my students get a chance to move around the room. 

One that my students enjoy is a mathematical scavenger hunt.  I post 10 to 12 problems around the room on separate paper.  Each paper has a number in the corner telling the student which problem it is so they can write the problem down on their answer sheets, a problem and an answer but the answer is not to the problem on this paper, it is to a different problem. 

 So once they've worked the problem, they have to search for the answer on another sheet of paper.  when they find the answer, they do the new problem on that sheet and continue until they've completed all the problems.  This activity usually takes most of the class period.  I allow students to help each other, check their work.  For a grade, I check for completeness rather than correctness because they have the answers.

Another activity many of my students enjoy, involves paper airplanes. This doesn't require a lot of preparation, only finding or making a worksheet with 5 to 8 problems of the type you want students to practice.  Give each student a copy of the worksheet and they need to work the first problem on the page.  When everyone has had a chance to complete the problem, allow them to fold it into a paper airplane.  Then students stand in a circle around the room and fly the planes towards the other side of the room to another student.  Everyone opens up their plane, works a second problem.  When they have an answer, they fold their papers back into planes, stand in a circle,  fly the plane to someone else and continue doing problems until all of the problems have been solved.  I collect the papers at the end and scan them looking for areas students need a bit extra help with. 

The final game for today, is baseball.  It does require a bit more prep but once everything is made, it is easy to reuse materials.  Step one is to create a set of cards with questions on them.  The cards should be set up as single, double, triple, or a home run questions.  A single should be the simplest form of a questions such as Solve 2x + 1 = 7 while the home run would be the most complex form such as solve 2(x + 3) - 8 = 4(x-8) + 3(x+1)-4.  Once the questions are completed, designate the four bases around the room, set up the score board with it's 9 innings, and divide the students into two teams.  Allow a bit of time for students to select a team name and set the line up.  The last step before playing is to designate which team goes first.

Yell "batter up" and let the first student choose the type of question they want such as single, double, triple or home run.  The teacher asks the student the question and if the student gets the problem correct, they move to the appropriate base but if they miss it, they are out.  Three outs for the side and students have to switch out. At the end of the game, the team with the most points wins.  If you want to make it a bit more exciting, have the team that is not up to bat, stand at the bases.  As the batter chooses a problem to work, the student manning the base also has to work the problem to get the answer.  If the student on base gets the correct answer first, the batter is out but if the batter gets it first, they go to the base.  It all depends upon how competitive you want the game to get.

Sometimes, it is nice to include a few games that allow students to get up, move around, while working on problems.  It makes the work more fun while doing some serious work.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  have a great day.