Let s Make Math Fun Volume 6 October November 2010 Halloween Math Ideas Halloween Board Game Halloween Puzzle Sheet Math Card Games Subtraction Tiles Board Game Math Books and more!
The Let s Make Math Fun MAGAZINE is brought to you by Making Math More Fun at www.makingmathmorefun.com and Math Board Games at www.math-board-games.com Copyright 2010 Teresa Evans. All rights reserved. Permission is given for the making of copies for use in the home or classroom of the subscriber only.
In this edition Halloween Math Ideas page 4 Grid Games.. Math Books. Perimeter and Area Exploration Printables.. Pumpkin Number Cards. Batty Odds and Evens. Thirty-One Puzzle Sheet.. Subtraction Tiles.... page 7 page 9 page 10 page 11 page 12 page 15 page 17 page 21 Welcome to the October/November edition of Let s Make Math Fun. Well Halloween is almost here so why not use it to motivate kids in math. In this magazine, you ll find a few different ideas for Halloween math. You can start off with predicting pumpkin measurements. Next you can try some Halloween counting. Then you can finish off with some skeleton fun. You ll also find a Halloween Board Game Batty Odds and Evens that can be played in an addition version or a more advanced multiples version. There is also a puzzle sheet Thirty-One - that challenges kids to find pathways that add up to thirty-one. This one is in a Halloween characters version and an animal version for those of you who don t celebrate Halloween. The Subtraction Tiles Board Game follows on from last editions Add Up Tiles and Times Tiles Board Games so you can add this one to your collection. This edition I ve also included three simple games that can be played on grid. To give kids practice at calculating perimeters and areas, there is a great activity that makes it hands on and gets them estimating first. Hope you and the kids enjoy the activities and games. Till next time, Teresa Cover Photo Info [2009] Petr Kratochvil from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net
Halloween MATH Ideas Halloween math is a great way to motivate kids to actually want to do math. Let s face it, math isn t always a favorite subject. But it will quickly become a favorite when you add a Halloween twist to math practice. There are many different skills that can be practiced by adding a Halloween twist to math time. Below are my four favorite ways to get kids excited about math as Halloween approaches. 1. Grab Some Pumpkins There are many different Halloween math activities that can be done with a few pumpkins. Get about 6 or 7 pumpkins and label each of them with a letter or to make it even more fun let the kids give each one a name. Now the kids can get involved in estimating and measuring. Have them guess the order of the pumpkins according to weight, from the smallest to the largest. Then they can estimate how much each pumpkin weights. They can also estimate the circumference of each pumpkin and then the height and width of each one. If this is a bit difficult for the kids, do the measuring for one of the pumpkins first so that they will have some idea of the mass and measurements on one pumpkin before they do their estimating for the others. After all of the estimating has been done it is time to start measuring. Get out the scales and some measuring tapes and record the weight, circumference, height and width of each. Children can then record their results and see how accurate their estimates were. 2. Halloween Buzz Buzz is a counting game that has been played by kids for ages. It can quickly become a Halloween math game just by changing the word buzz to a Halloween word. You might like to use Dracula, Boo or trick or treat. Start with multiples of seven being the banned numbers that have to be replaced by the buzz word.
To play the kids just go around the group counting in ones but when they get to the number seven, any multiple of seven or any number that contains a seven, they say the buzz word instead. If they don t they are out. So the counting should sound like this one, two, three, four, five, six, boo, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, boo etc. Sounds easy but it does require concentration and also a good knowledge of multiples.. Build a Skeleton In this Halloween math game, two teams or two players compete against each other. This game involves choosing a basic skeleton shape to be drawn as the game progresses. A math question or problem is given and the first player or team to answer correctly wins the right to draw a piece of their skeleton. The first team or player to complete the skeleton is the winner. To make it even more fun paper skeletons can be bought and pulled apart. The winner of each round can then take one piece of their skeleton. The game is over when one player or team has all of the pieces of the skeleton. 4. Four Dice Skeleton A simple math Halloween activity that requires very little equipment is a game called Four Dice Skeleton. The class can be divided into teams for this game or it can be played by groups of three or four children. To play this game, you will need four dice. Start by writing the alphabet across the board or on a piece of paper. Under each letter write a number value starting with 1 for a, then 2 for b, etc. Each player or team also draws eight dashes ready for the word skeleton to be written on the dashes.
The object of the game is to be the first player or team to complete the word skeleton. Players do this by throwing the four dice and adding the value of the numbers. They then look at the alphabet chart to see which letter corresponds to this number. If it is one of the letters in the word skeleton, they can write the letter in their word. For example, if they throw a five with 1, 1, 1, 2 they can write in the e s into the word. This game can take a while to play so it can be shortened by having only one word to be filled in instead of having a word for each player or team. The winner in this version is the person who completes the word by adding the last letter. The game can also be played with other Halloween words such as monster, frighten or pumpkin, but avoid words with the letters a, b, c, d, y or z as with four dice the children won t be able to throw the corresponding number value. Such words can be used though if these letters are written in before the game starts. Not all kids like math but when math becomes Halloween math this will change and the kids will be begging for more. Hope the kids enjoy these Halloween math activities. Happy Halloween! Halloween Math Book Monster Math Kindergarten-Grade 2-A counting book that shows a little monster greeting guests arriving for a party. More Halloween Math Printable Halloween Math Sheets, Word Puzzle Sheets, Sudoku, Mazes, Bingo Games, Dominoes, Board Games, Coloring Sheets and more available at www.kids-halloween-activities.com
GrId Games There are many different games that can be played with a simple grid drawn on the board or on a piece of paper. The following games are three of my favorites. EquatIon LIne For this game you will need a 7 x 7 grid drawn on the board or on paper. Fill the grid with random numbers from 1 10 so that there is a number in each square. A larger 10 X 10 grid can be used for a longer game. This game can be played by 2 4 players or 2-4 teams. If teams are competing, one team member is chosen to represent the team on each turn. This game can be played using addition or subtraction but the following instructions are for the addition version. Each player tries to create a line of three numbers that can be made into an addition equation. The line can be three numbers in a row, horizontally or vertically or it can be three numbers aligned in an angle. The examples below show what is allowed. These equations have been covered 6 + 1 = 7 7 + 2 = 9 1 + 7 = 8 7 1 10 5 8 5 10 9 4 5 4 6 2 7 1 10 2 9 2 9 8 1 7 8 6 4 7 8 6 1 10 4 5 6 6 2 The last player or team that covers an equation is the winner. The game can also be played with players covering subtraction equations like 6, 4 and 2 for 6 4 = 2. Total Up For this game use a 7 x 7 grid filled with the numbers from 1 9. The aim of this game is to create the largest digit numbers possible by joining numbers vertically or horizontally and then adding these numbers together.
The game is played by two teams or two players. The players take turns to circle a three digit number on the board and then record it. When no more three digit numbers can be made the players add their numbers and the one with the largest total is the winner. This game practices comparing three digit numbers and also adding three digit numbers. It can also be played with 4 digit numbers. Corners 1 1 4 5 8 7 6 8 2 5 6 1 6 2 9 7 1 8 9 1 4 1 4 5 6 6 9 5 8 6 8 9 2 8 1 2 7 5 7 7 7 2 5 9 This is a fun game that can be played when you have a few spare minutes. It is a game of strategy but children may need to be encouraged to think strategically when the end of the game is getting closer. Need 2 different colored pencils or markers. Both players start in opposite corners. Players take turns at coloring a block of 2 squares. Every block colored after the first one must join to one of your other colored blocks, but only at the corner. A player cannot have 2 of their colored blocks joined side by side. When a player has nowhere to go, he is out and the other player is the winner. An example of a game is shown. This game is a Print and Play Games Master in the Bonus Print and Play Games Master Book when you order the Making Math More Fun Collection.
Math Books Math Games to Master Basic Skills: Addition & Subtraction 14 Reproducible Games That Help Struggling Learners Practice and Really Master Basic Addition and Subtraction Skills Math Games to Master Basic Skills: Multiplication & Division Familiar and Flexible Games With Dozens of Variations That Help Struggling Learners Practice and Master Multiplication & Division Facts Math Games to Master Basic Skills: Fractions & Decimals Familiar and Flexible Games With Dozens of Variations That Help Struggling Learners Practice and Master Fraction and Decimal Skills and Concepts Easy MathART Projects and Activities (Grades K-2) Math + Art = Fun for young learners! MathART Projects and Activities (Grades -5) In this unique book, you'll find dozens of creative projects that make a natural connection between math and art. Math will soon be a favorite subject!
PERIMETER AND AREA EXPLORATION This activity is ideal for students who have a basic knowledge of perimeter and area and need practice at calculating perimeter and area. Start with 5 shapes cut out of card. Measure the shapes so they have dimensions that the students will be able to work with. These can be all rectangles and squares or if children are able to calculate the area of other shapes, these can be included also. Label each shape with a letter. A B E C D Ask students to order the shapes from the one with the smallest area to the one with the largest. Students can record the letters in order, e.g. D, B, C E, A. Have the students repeat this for the perimeter of each shape. Next ask students to estimate the area and perimeter of each shape. Finally, have the students measure the shapes and calculate the perimeter and area. Students can then compare these with their estimates.
THIS ISSUE S FREE PRINTABLES PUMPKIN NUMBER CARDS WITH 2 GAMES TO PLAY BATTY ODDS AND EVENS BOARD GAME WITH 2 VERSIONS TO PLAY THIRTY-ONE PUZZLE SHEET HALLOWEEN VERSION AND ANIMAL VERSION SUBTRACTION TILES BOARD GAME More Printable Math Games are available from www.makingmathmorefun.com and www.math-board-games.com
PumpkIn Number Cards 1 2 4 5 6
7 8 9 O
Games to Play WIth The PumpkIn Number Cards Closest Number a game for 2 players or 2 teams Require 1 set of Pumpkin Number Cards 1. Turn the cards face down. 2. Choose a number that is to be the target number. (If practicing comparing 2 digit numbers, use a 2 digit number, e.g. 85. To practice comparing digit numbers use a digit number, e.g. 50. 4 or 5 digit numbers can also be used.). The players each select the number of cards to match the number of digits in the target number. (e.g. 2 cards if it is a 2 digit number) 4. Each player uses the cards to make a number as close as possible to the target number. (e.g. with 6 and you could make 6 or 6) 5. The player with the number closest to the target number is the winner. ThIrteen a game for 2 players or 2 teams Require 1 set of Pumpkin Number Cards The object of the game is to be the first player to have three cards that add to 1. 1. Turn the cards face down. 2. Each play chooses cards and adds the numbers together. If a player has cards that total 1 that player is the winner.. If no player has cards that total 1, players take it in turns to return a card face down, mix up the cards and select another card. 4. The first player to have cards that total 1 is the winner.
Batty Odds and Evens FINISH 1 51 52 56 50 55 40 44 46 45 48 5 6 2 0 24 28 21 27 25 14 16 12 15 18 START
batty Odds and Evens addition VERSION a game for 2 4 players Require a counter for each player, 2 dice, Batty Odds and Evens game board The object of the game is to be the first player to reach the finish. 1. Each player puts a counter on the start. 2. Players take turns to throw the 2 dice and add the numbers on the dice.. If the total is an even number the player may move up, across or diagonally one space to an even number. If the total is an odd number the player may move up, across or diagonally one space to an odd number. 4. If there is not a number available for the player to move to, the player stays on the same space. 5. The first player to reach the finish is the winner. The player s roll will need to total to an odd number to move to the finish as 1 is an odd number. batty Odds and Evens multiples VERSION a game for 2 4 players Require a counter for each player, 1 dice, Batty Odds and Evens game board The object of the game is to be the first player to reach the finish. 1. Each player puts a counter on the start. 2. Players take turns to throw the dice. The player can then move up, across or diagonally one space to any number that is a multiple of the number on the dice, for example if a player throws a 5 the player could move to 15 or 25 but not to any number that is not a multiple of 5.. If there is not a number available for the player to move to, the player stays on the same space. 4. The first player to reach the finish is the winner. The player will need to throw 1 to finish as 1 is not a multiple of any other number on the dice.
Thirty-One Find a pathway going from one witch to the other. The pathway must add up to thirty-one. 7 6 4 7 2 4 8 1 6 5 4 9 2 7 2 5 9 1 Find a pathway going from Dracula to Frankenstein. The pathway must add up to thirty-one. 5 2 7 1 9 4 6 4 1 5 7 6 6 2 1 9 8 5 7
On the following page the Thirty-One puzzle sheet is repeated without the Halloween theme for those who do not celebrate Halloween. More Printable Halloween Math Worksheets, Halloween Games and Halloween Puzzles are available from www.kids-halloween-activities.com
Thirty-One Find a pathway going from the kangaroo to the koala. The pathway must add up to thirty-one. 7 6 4 7 2 4 8 1 6 5 4 9 2 7 2 5 9 1 Find a pathway going from the dragonfly to the ladybug. The pathway must add up to thirty-one. 5 2 7 1 9 4 6 4 1 5 7 6 6 2 1 9 8 5 7
Thirty-One Answer Sheet One possible answer is given for each set. 7 6 4 7 2 4 8 1 6 5 4 9 2 7 2 5 9 1 5 2 7 1 9 4 6 4 1 5 7 6 6 2 1 9 8 5 7
SUBTRACTION Tiles 1 6 9 12 7 9 9 15 8 7 5 1 12 7 9 17 8 6 14 8 11 8 15 4 7 16 9 12 6 11 16 6 1 5 14 7 SUBTRACTION Tiles A game for 2 players All tiles are placed face down beside the board. Players take turns to choose a tile and cover two spaces on the board that have a difference of the total on the tile. For example, cover 8 and 6 with a 2 tile. The tile can be laid vertically or horizontally. A tile card cannot be placed on top of another tile. When a player picks up a tile and can t find a place to lay the tile, the other player is the winner.
Subtraction Tiles Cut along the dotted lines. 6 2 9 4 8 1 9 7 7 5 10 5 6 9 8 1 2 7 6 8 4 10