Sometimes just being able to attract the student’s attention in class can be a chore in itself, especially if some students are having comprehension issues between different types of math such as Fractions and Probability. This is one of the reasons why math can be challenging for some people to grasp. Unlike other subjects in [...]
This is a fun game for teachers to incorporate into their teaching lessons and it is fun because of the partial element of surprise. Kids love surprises and the best part of this game is that the students will have even more fun learning because they won’t even realize they are in class. This will [...]
Everyone loves those cute complimentary crispy cookies when enjoying some delightful Asian cuisine. These cookies are not only uniquely aerodynamic, but they have a nice little message inside that is inspirational and uplifting. So why not combine this same concept to your teaching lesson by having your students learn more about fractions by making their [...]
This fun game is ideal for anyone who wants to learn multiplication tables in a non-traditional way and make some music at the same time. The great thing about this game is that it can be played with multiple players or with one player, which makes it a great way for students to practice in [...]
You can teach students a fun activity incorporating multiplication times-tables with this inquisitive game that includes the concept of a point system. Who doesn’t love a little competition? Just about everyone, including children. With that in mind, how about teaching your students a little about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as well?
Did you know that most [...]
Learning multiplication facts can be very challenging for young children. Children gain a certain confidence from understanding and mastering multiplication facts that can be leveraged to master other math skills. There is a new video game by a company, Tinman Learning, called Arithmemouse Times Tables that is focused on teaching children this one important skill– [...]
I’m an elementary mathematics methods professor at the University of Oklahoma and recently I coordinated a project to help pre-service teachers create stories with math questions that are enhanced with technology.Small groups of elementary pre-service teachers collaborated by posting (non-consecutively) to a wiki (on www.wikispaces.com) in order to co-create a “story of the day” and [...]
If people do not believe that mathematics is simple, it is only because they do not realize how complicated life is. ~John Louis von Neumann
“The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple.” S. Gudder
Someone asked me once: “Why do you pay so much importance to math? [...]
Teaching mathematics to children can sometimes be difficult particularly if you are teaching “over their head” and lose them – because once they are lost it is difficult to reel them back in! So some tips to keep it light and make it a good experience for all might be helpful.
Simple doesn’t have to mean [...]
Teaching fractions is relatively simple when you are at the one-half (1/2) or one-quarter (1/4) but when you start getting into tenths and hundredths it becomes a little more difficult to adequately explain it to children. Graphics are an easy way to show the class so that the concept becomes clearer as you go along. [...]
Small dry erase boards (or white boards from your local home supply store cut into squares) and dry erase markers are great tools when teaching math. You write a problem out on the board and have all of your students copy it down and work it out. The first one that lifts their board in the air with the correct answer wins a treat. (Tip: Maybe set a time limit for each problem)