Incorporating play in math education is not just a fanciful idea; it’s a transformative approach that has tangible benefits for both teachers and students. Play fosters an environment of exploration and curiosity, helping to dispel the myth that math is a dry, unapproachable subject. Through games and interactive activities, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This playful methodology aligns perfectly with fostering a growth mindset, breaking down barriers of anxiety and opening up new avenues for intellectual development. Ultimately, integrating play in math education can lead to deeper understanding, improved engagement, and a lifelong love of learning.
Category: Math
I Dreamed of a Book – An AI Collaboration
We all have an idea for a book, how do we make the book? With Book Creator of course. A little help from AI makes this a fast process from idea to actualization.
Farkle to Teach Students Strategy
Use the game Farkle, a dice game, to teach students how to communicate their strategies. This will allow you to focus on increasing critical thinking in your class.
25 Things to Do Instead of Timed Math Tests
Timed math tests have long been a staple in classrooms, but research indicates they can cause anxiety, limit understanding, and lead to negative attitudes toward math. As educators, it’s crucial to consider alternative strategies that foster a deeper understanding, long-term retention, and overall success in math. Some effective alternatives to timed math tests include incorporating visual representations like number lines or arrays, engaging students in real-world problem-solving activities, using math games and activities for practice, teaching mental strategies and grouping techniques, and encouraging cooperative learning through peer collaboration. By embracing these research-backed approaches, we can create a more engaging, supportive, and effective learning environment that promotes positive attitudes and long-term success in math for our students.
Visualize Adding Fractions
Students have long struggled with fractions. Continuing the traditional way of teaching fractions knowing that they have not worked is possibly the definition of insanity. Students need to visualize and explore concepts to gain number sense in order to increase their confidence and understanding of fractions. Have students visualize adding fractions until they are able to discover the pattern rather than telling them the rules for common denominators. Use Mathigon Polypad to help students with the visualization.
Is Math Teaching Critical Thinking?
Math class SHOULD be teaching students to critically think, find patterns, analyze, and manage data. Is Math Teaching Critical Thinking? Using traditional math textbooks is this happening? No.
Factor Puzzles for Math by Pam Harris
Get students thinking about math and factors! Check out these factor puzzles from Pam Harris. Use the Add-on to add to Google Slides anytime!
Students Should Decompose Fractions
I am a big fan of helping students to use STRATEGIES when approaching math rather than mindlessly following steps in an algorithm. Personally, I rarely follow order of operations when simplifying a math expression. Having number sense means you look at the math task and THINK about it and find ways to break apart and…
Let’s Play Greedy Pig Game
Play games for learning! Games build classroom culture and help students to practice math skills. The Greedy Pig game is great for playing with students of all ages. Use Dice Slides by Alice Keeler to play Greedy Pig in Google Slides.
How Would You Visualize a Fraction Divided by a Fraction
Do you DO fractions or UNDERSTAND fractions? Many adults (and kids) have a fear of fractions let alone are able to understand them. When we focus on tricks and rules it is not surprise some people don’t get fractions.
Photomath is NOT Cheating
Photomath is NOT cheating. It is time to stop burying out heads in the sand and pretending that students are not going to use Photomath. cheating with photomath is a shift in perspective.
Digital Math Manipulatives with Mathigon
Digital Math Manipulatives are free and easy. Check out how to provide students with the digital tools they need to explore mathematical concepts.
Fight Photomath – Use Graspable Math
Join me to learn about how Graspable Math can help with transforming your math class. Students are cheating with Photomath, let’s look at some alternatives!
Join CMC in Support of the Draft CA Mathematics Framework
Support the California Math Mathematics Framework. Sign the letter.
FREE Math Puzzles for K-12
In this guest post by Alice Aspinall, she shares number puzzles she made for her own children. Alice Keeler made a Math Puzzle spreadsheet we all can use for students K-12!
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