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Math Activities
1
Pasta With Pizzazz
Fill a plastic bowl with three or more different kinds of uncooked pasta shapes. Attach a sample of each pasta shape to a board labeled with each "pasta value." Each student places a scoop of pasta on a napkin and uses the code to determine its total value.
Domino Addition and Multiplication
Use dominoes to find different sums. If the number 6 is after the equal sign, the student(s) must find a domino that adds up to 6. (The same can be done with multiplication. ) The dominos can also be used to find missing addends. If 7 is the sum and only a 4 is shown as one side of the domino, a domino must be found that matches the side of the domino given as well as add up to 7. Students can also go on to find sums on their own or with partners to challenge themselves.
Box Lid Math
Program a rectangle on the box lid with a grid of desired numbers for adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing. A student sets two paper clips atop the grid. Next he scoots the clips around the grid by maneuvering the box lid When the clips come to rest, he copies the numbers under the clip on his paper and performs the specified math operation.
Parking Garage
Mark each parking space of the garage with a single or double digit number. Roll two dice to see what the two numbers add up to. Move a car into the parking space with the matching number. When all of the parking spaces are taken, the activity is over.
Sock-Hop Math
Begin play by calling out a math fact. One member from each team calculates the answer, then attempts to locate and stand on that answer in the playing area. Since only one student may occupy a number, students who do not locate the appropriate number return to the sidelines. If the student is standing on the correct number he receives a construction-paper square. The team with the most squares wins.
Bunny-Hop
To help with drill practice in multiplication, form a Bunny-Hop line with your students.
State one multiplication problem and "Bunny-Hop" around the room saying the problem over and over with rhythm.
On-Target Math Review
On a plastic tablecloth draw a dartboard. Label each section of the dartboard with a two-digit number. To play, each student tosses a beanbag on the dartboard twice. Add the number. The highest sum wins a point for their team.
Goldfish Math
Give each student the same amount of goldfish crackers. By using your hand as a
"whale", demonstrate how the whale "eats" the fish. Ask the children different subtraction problems by having your "whale" eat different amounts of fish. For addition practice, have the "whale" cough up some fish again and add to the fish that were not eaten.
Salad Bowl Facts
Display a salad bowl, a pair of salad tongs, paper plates, pencils, and blank paper at a center. A student uses the tongs to put a serving of salad on a paper plate. Then, using the numbers on his salad ingredients, he writes on his paper the problem and solves it.
A-MAZE
To incorporate more than one math operation and add fun practice at the same time, design a maze according to the skill level of those playing. In these mazes, students do math along the way. However, the object is to reach the END square with the correct answer. Mazes can consist of simple subtraction and/or all operations. End results can also vary depending on the number chosen for the outcome.
Monster Math
Create a simple "Draw A Monster" form that lists several monster features. As the student draws his monster, he refers to the form to find out how may arms, feet, noses, and so on his monster should have.
TIC-TAC-TEN
The object of this game is to place the numbers across, up/down, or diagonally so that the numbers add up to ten. Players take turns filling in the TIC-TAC-TEN board so that one row will add up to ten. This game can be played in partners or against the teacher up at the board. The game can also be made more complex for higher grade levels.
You're In the Hot Seat
Write approximately 20 fact problems (with answers) on the chalkboard. Near one end of the chalkboard, draw a large star. Ask one volunteer to sit in the hot seat with his back to the chalkboard and ask another volunteer to be the recorder. In turn, students appointed by the recorder ask the child in the hot seat to solve a math fact from the chalkboard. If he can correctly answer five fact problems in a row, he writes his name under the star on the chalkboard and becomes the recorder.
First to 500!
Students roll two dice at a time to see how may rolls it takes them to get to 500. Simple one and two digit addition are used - gradually increasing to double and triple digit addition. The 500 can be made higher or lower depending on the grade.
Paper Punch Addition
A student selects a card, then, using the hole puncher, the student punches a set of holes to match each addend. Next he counts the holes and writes the fact answer on the back of each card.
Mayan Math
Show the students the Mayan numbers. Compare these to our number system. Ask them to do addition and subtraction practice using Mayan numbers only. Game board can be used to supplement this activity.
Fraction Plates
Write a fraction on the board. Have each student divide their plate into the correct amount of equal parts. Then the students place a bean on the appropriate amount of spaces.
Light Bulb Fractions
Match fraction pictures with their partners by connecting wires to make a light bulb shine. If the light bulb shines, the answer is correct. If it does not shine, the answer is incorrect.
Flavorful Fractions
Give each student eight candy pieces in a variety of colors. Have each child determine what fractional part of his set each color represents.
"Move Along"-Recognizing Fractions
There is a game board consisting of many pictures of fractions. By taking turns, move
along the game board until a fraction has been completed. See how many fractions each player can complete.
Dominoes Delivers
Instruct each student to draw each of her group's dominoes on a sheet of paper. Below each domino, a student writes the two fractions that describe the dominoes' dot arrangement.
Fraction War
This game is used to compare fractions with unlike denominators. Label 24 index cards with fractions. Each player receives twelve cards. Shuffle the cards. Each of the two players then turn over their top card. The card with the higher fraction, is the winner. (Game can also be adjusted to lowest fraction.) Continue play until all cards are flipped over. Whoever has the pile with more cards in the end is the winner. This game can also be played with the teacher using the chalkboard.
Fraction Maze
Students work independently to add fractions as they move along through a maze. The object is to find the route with the lowest sum.
ONE - Many Ways
Find out different ways to make ONE using different fractions. This will be your only
way out of the maze.
Musical Multiplication
Place 3x5 cards with multiplication problems on either chairs or on the floor. As the music plays, the students circle around the problems. When the music stops, the student must call out the correct answer to the problem. If the wrong answer is called, the student has to step aside. There may be more than one person who has to step out of the game at one time. If all students respond correctly, there will still be one student who has to step aside because there will be one card short when the music stops.
Picture A Product
To make a fact bag, label the outside of a plastic bag with the appropriate fact. Then use a hole puncher to punch each of 10 to 12 cards with the appropriate number.
Multiplying Checkers
This game is played just as the regular game of checkers is played. Place single digit
numbers on the checker pieces. Play as you would normally. However, points can be
gained when a person is "jumped". For instance, if your seven jumps your partner's
number eight, you have 56 points. The game continues in this fashion until one color has dominated over the other color. Whoever has the most points will win.
How Long? How Many?
In this game, children experience multiplication in a geometric context. They make
rectangular arrays with Cuisenaire Rods and place them on grids until no more space is available.
Circle and Stars
This is a two-person game in which children first roll a die to find out how many circles to draw and then roll again to find out how many stars to draw in each circle. The winner is the child who draws the most stars after seven rounds. Students write the correct multiplication sentence under each drawing.
Finger Multiplication
Have children hold out their hands, palms down. Each finger is given a number from 1 to 10, starting from the left. Suppose students wish to multiply 9x4. They simply tuck under finger number 4. That leaves three fingers to the left of it and six fingers to the right of it, which stands for 36.
Tangram Animals
Using the book, Grandfather Tang's Story , as an example, ask the children to create
animals using the seven tangram pieces.
Tangrams
Students use specific pieces or a specific number of pieces to cover the inside of a
geometric shape outlined on the page. By doing this students will experience ways various shapes can be formed.
Grid-Lock
Graph points on a grid by sticking objects to Velcro lines on poster board. Can also be
used as a cut worksheet.
Centimeter Snakes
Place a container, a ruler a supply of paper, and pencils at a center. A student numbers his paper from 1 to 15. Then he removes each snake, measures it, and records his answer.
"Runt" Graphing
First, graph "Runts" (foods pieces) according to color on one sheet or an overhead.
Second, tally the "Runts" to see which shape appears most. Sort each runt on paper
according to shape. Third, use the "Runts" to complete "more than" sentences. Example: I had 4 more orange "Runts" than green runts.
Magnificent Money Toss
One student sits by the bowl and is designated to be the counter. The remaining students are the coin tossers. A student randomly picks a coin and tries to toss the coin in the bowl. The counter begins to count the coin value only if it goes in the bowl. Students try to reach $1.00.
Area/Perimeter - "Stuck on You"
Detach and reattach units to the poster paper with Velcro. Problems can be changed many times over for practice. Area and perimeter can both be practiced.
Fill a plastic bowl with three or more different kinds of uncooked pasta shapes. Attach a sample of each pasta shape to a board labeled with each "pasta value." Each student places a scoop of pasta on a napkin and uses the code to determine its total value.
Domino Addition and Multiplication
Use dominoes to find different sums. If the number 6 is after the equal sign, the student(s) must find a domino that adds up to 6. (The same can be done with multiplication. ) The dominos can also be used to find missing addends. If 7 is the sum and only a 4 is shown as one side of the domino, a domino must be found that matches the side of the domino given as well as add up to 7. Students can also go on to find sums on their own or with partners to challenge themselves.
Box Lid Math
Program a rectangle on the box lid with a grid of desired numbers for adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing. A student sets two paper clips atop the grid. Next he scoots the clips around the grid by maneuvering the box lid When the clips come to rest, he copies the numbers under the clip on his paper and performs the specified math operation.
Parking Garage
Mark each parking space of the garage with a single or double digit number. Roll two dice to see what the two numbers add up to. Move a car into the parking space with the matching number. When all of the parking spaces are taken, the activity is over.
Sock-Hop Math
Begin play by calling out a math fact. One member from each team calculates the answer, then attempts to locate and stand on that answer in the playing area. Since only one student may occupy a number, students who do not locate the appropriate number return to the sidelines. If the student is standing on the correct number he receives a construction-paper square. The team with the most squares wins.
Bunny-Hop
To help with drill practice in multiplication, form a Bunny-Hop line with your students.
State one multiplication problem and "Bunny-Hop" around the room saying the problem over and over with rhythm.
On-Target Math Review
On a plastic tablecloth draw a dartboard. Label each section of the dartboard with a two-digit number. To play, each student tosses a beanbag on the dartboard twice. Add the number. The highest sum wins a point for their team.
Goldfish Math
Give each student the same amount of goldfish crackers. By using your hand as a
"whale", demonstrate how the whale "eats" the fish. Ask the children different subtraction problems by having your "whale" eat different amounts of fish. For addition practice, have the "whale" cough up some fish again and add to the fish that were not eaten.
Salad Bowl Facts
Display a salad bowl, a pair of salad tongs, paper plates, pencils, and blank paper at a center. A student uses the tongs to put a serving of salad on a paper plate. Then, using the numbers on his salad ingredients, he writes on his paper the problem and solves it.
A-MAZE
To incorporate more than one math operation and add fun practice at the same time, design a maze according to the skill level of those playing. In these mazes, students do math along the way. However, the object is to reach the END square with the correct answer. Mazes can consist of simple subtraction and/or all operations. End results can also vary depending on the number chosen for the outcome.
Monster Math
Create a simple "Draw A Monster" form that lists several monster features. As the student draws his monster, he refers to the form to find out how may arms, feet, noses, and so on his monster should have.
TIC-TAC-TEN
The object of this game is to place the numbers across, up/down, or diagonally so that the numbers add up to ten. Players take turns filling in the TIC-TAC-TEN board so that one row will add up to ten. This game can be played in partners or against the teacher up at the board. The game can also be made more complex for higher grade levels.
You're In the Hot Seat
Write approximately 20 fact problems (with answers) on the chalkboard. Near one end of the chalkboard, draw a large star. Ask one volunteer to sit in the hot seat with his back to the chalkboard and ask another volunteer to be the recorder. In turn, students appointed by the recorder ask the child in the hot seat to solve a math fact from the chalkboard. If he can correctly answer five fact problems in a row, he writes his name under the star on the chalkboard and becomes the recorder.
First to 500!
Students roll two dice at a time to see how may rolls it takes them to get to 500. Simple one and two digit addition are used - gradually increasing to double and triple digit addition. The 500 can be made higher or lower depending on the grade.
Paper Punch Addition
A student selects a card, then, using the hole puncher, the student punches a set of holes to match each addend. Next he counts the holes and writes the fact answer on the back of each card.
Mayan Math
Show the students the Mayan numbers. Compare these to our number system. Ask them to do addition and subtraction practice using Mayan numbers only. Game board can be used to supplement this activity.
Fraction Plates
Write a fraction on the board. Have each student divide their plate into the correct amount of equal parts. Then the students place a bean on the appropriate amount of spaces.
Light Bulb Fractions
Match fraction pictures with their partners by connecting wires to make a light bulb shine. If the light bulb shines, the answer is correct. If it does not shine, the answer is incorrect.
Flavorful Fractions
Give each student eight candy pieces in a variety of colors. Have each child determine what fractional part of his set each color represents.
"Move Along"-Recognizing Fractions
There is a game board consisting of many pictures of fractions. By taking turns, move
along the game board until a fraction has been completed. See how many fractions each player can complete.
Dominoes Delivers
Instruct each student to draw each of her group's dominoes on a sheet of paper. Below each domino, a student writes the two fractions that describe the dominoes' dot arrangement.
Fraction War
This game is used to compare fractions with unlike denominators. Label 24 index cards with fractions. Each player receives twelve cards. Shuffle the cards. Each of the two players then turn over their top card. The card with the higher fraction, is the winner. (Game can also be adjusted to lowest fraction.) Continue play until all cards are flipped over. Whoever has the pile with more cards in the end is the winner. This game can also be played with the teacher using the chalkboard.
Fraction Maze
Students work independently to add fractions as they move along through a maze. The object is to find the route with the lowest sum.
ONE - Many Ways
Find out different ways to make ONE using different fractions. This will be your only
way out of the maze.
Musical Multiplication
Place 3x5 cards with multiplication problems on either chairs or on the floor. As the music plays, the students circle around the problems. When the music stops, the student must call out the correct answer to the problem. If the wrong answer is called, the student has to step aside. There may be more than one person who has to step out of the game at one time. If all students respond correctly, there will still be one student who has to step aside because there will be one card short when the music stops.
Picture A Product
To make a fact bag, label the outside of a plastic bag with the appropriate fact. Then use a hole puncher to punch each of 10 to 12 cards with the appropriate number.
Multiplying Checkers
This game is played just as the regular game of checkers is played. Place single digit
numbers on the checker pieces. Play as you would normally. However, points can be
gained when a person is "jumped". For instance, if your seven jumps your partner's
number eight, you have 56 points. The game continues in this fashion until one color has dominated over the other color. Whoever has the most points will win.
How Long? How Many?
In this game, children experience multiplication in a geometric context. They make
rectangular arrays with Cuisenaire Rods and place them on grids until no more space is available.
Circle and Stars
This is a two-person game in which children first roll a die to find out how many circles to draw and then roll again to find out how many stars to draw in each circle. The winner is the child who draws the most stars after seven rounds. Students write the correct multiplication sentence under each drawing.
Finger Multiplication
Have children hold out their hands, palms down. Each finger is given a number from 1 to 10, starting from the left. Suppose students wish to multiply 9x4. They simply tuck under finger number 4. That leaves three fingers to the left of it and six fingers to the right of it, which stands for 36.
Tangram Animals
Using the book, Grandfather Tang's Story , as an example, ask the children to create
animals using the seven tangram pieces.
Tangrams
Students use specific pieces or a specific number of pieces to cover the inside of a
geometric shape outlined on the page. By doing this students will experience ways various shapes can be formed.
Grid-Lock
Graph points on a grid by sticking objects to Velcro lines on poster board. Can also be
used as a cut worksheet.
Centimeter Snakes
Place a container, a ruler a supply of paper, and pencils at a center. A student numbers his paper from 1 to 15. Then he removes each snake, measures it, and records his answer.
"Runt" Graphing
First, graph "Runts" (foods pieces) according to color on one sheet or an overhead.
Second, tally the "Runts" to see which shape appears most. Sort each runt on paper
according to shape. Third, use the "Runts" to complete "more than" sentences. Example: I had 4 more orange "Runts" than green runts.
Magnificent Money Toss
One student sits by the bowl and is designated to be the counter. The remaining students are the coin tossers. A student randomly picks a coin and tries to toss the coin in the bowl. The counter begins to count the coin value only if it goes in the bowl. Students try to reach $1.00.
Area/Perimeter - "Stuck on You"
Detach and reattach units to the poster paper with Velcro. Problems can be changed many times over for practice. Area and perimeter can both be practiced.