Weekly Report & Reflection Blog Week #3

Amirki. (October 11 2008). Addition Shapes. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addition#/media/File:AdditionShapes.svg

 

This week we explored “Whole Number Operations”.  This deals with whole numbers that are multiplied and/or divided amongst one another. Whole number operations are a unit that students study as soon as they start math. It is probably without saying, one of the, if not the, easiest unit of math. The numbers are easy to work with and make for simpler equations, as opposed to trying to multiply or divide decimals for instance.  

One of the in-class presentations dealt with a horse race. The task that each table had was to see how close your horse was to the finish line, after solving a set of mathematical equations. Each table had a different set of numbers; though the horse gradually moved up by 10 each time you got a new answer. Therefore, the presenter used a pattern to demonstrate whole number operations.

 

Resources:

Canoe Penguins Race

Demolition Division

The first game I explored in Great Games was “Canoe Penguins Race”. It shows that you have a partner in the game, though you are solving the math problems alone. This game involves a multiplication question followed by four possible answers. You job is to chose the correct answer for the corresponding question. If you answer correctly, your canoe moves forward in the race. However, if you answer incorrectly, you stay put until you answer another question correctly. You are racing against four other canoes in the race. You have one 2-digit number to multiply with a single digit number. This causes you to think more about your answer because it is not a simple answer that will always equal less than 100. At least half of the answers involved numbers greater than 100, which takes more time to complete.

The next game I explored was “Demolition Division”. This came involves tanks moving towards your blaster. Your blaster is where the answer is given. The object of the game is to shoot the blaster at the tank that reveals the equation to your answer. It is a one player game to get students practicing their division facts of 12. Although it is not a racing style game, the tanks move closer the longer you take to blast them. This game is opposite of “Canoe Penguins Race” for two reasons; (1) it is division rather than multiplication, and (2) you are given the answer and have to find the equation. I found this game to be easier to play because the math was at a lower grade level than the first game.

These games would be useful in an elementary school math class. It is a fun way for students to practice their multiplication and division skills, while being provided with the correct answers at the end of the game, in the event that they got answers wrong. Rather than teaching math the way I was taught, textbook and blackboard, I can use these resources to my advantage. Students will be more eager to learn math if they get to play a competitive game (seeing as these games all involve racing). Great Games is an excellent resource for engaging students in course content. Due to the competitive nature of the games, students will be more likely to want to answer questions correctly rather than guessing, in order to advance further in the race. I cannot wait to introduce this educational resource to my future students, in hopes of changing the negative opinion of math that so many students carry with them.