DIFFY - A subtraction Investigation

 Instead of regular worksheets, it is often more exciting for students if the activity has an investigative or a surprise result.

Diffy, from Nimble With Numbers is one of these activities.

Four In A Row Multiplication

 Recent FB Posts have been asking for ideas on how to help students memorise (and use) multiplication facts.

There are many game type activities that help with this and one of my favourites is the one that follows.

The beauty of this one is it requires thinking and strategy development to win, which in my view is better than more worksheets that do not require this sort of thinking, problem solving.

This game could be played with two teams(pairs). Encouraging teams to play means students will need to discuss the possibilities for placing the paper clips, perhaps blocking opponents etc.  Communication in maths is very important.

The Temple of Gloom

 I have just been asked for this activity.  It was one I used extensively while working with teachers in an endeavour to use more investigations and problem solving in the maths classroom.

With the recent pronouncements by the Govt about our declining Math's abilities at year 8-10 perhaps it is time for more of these to be included in our programs.

The beauty of this activity is that:

1. it can be used with individuals, pairs, small groups.
2. it can be acted out with children, and hoops, in the playgound
3. it can be modelled using stones and circles.
4. it can be done with pencil and paper (and lots of crossings out!!!
   
5. it may not have one unique answer
6. it lends itself to students to create similar problems(work backwards etc

 

Please post some of the ways your students solve the problem.  Teachers-not too much direction please.