Interactive Games: The Cure for Mathaphobia
Some kids love math! They're good at it, and they enjoy a challenge.
Other kids hate math! For them it's hard, or worse, boring!
This lens was created with both groups in mind!
Whether you're a teacher, parent, or tutor, you'll find these sites to be highly motivating. I did leave out two types of sites: those that are "too much fun" at the expense of learning, and those that distract students with ads and other visual junk. My classes have always felt that these sites are the best of the best; we hope that you'll agree!
When I selected sites for inclusion, I chose only those that were
- bright and colorful,
- distraction-free,
- highly interactive,
- skill-level adaptable,
- self-checking,
- entertaining, and
- free of charge!
Know another great site that should be here? Email me!
Table of Contents
NumberNut
Enough Math Can Make Anyone Nutty
The bold homepage of Number Nuttells you that this site means business! Yes, it has some great tutorials if you need them, but unlike some other sites, it doesn't force your child to complete tutorials before offering up the action. For each given math skill (subtraction, ratios, fractions, etc.) you'll find two to four games.
If you do choose to use the tutorials, you'll find the language to be accurate, yet simple. For example, from the landing page for Ratios:
Ratios are values that compare one number to another. Other terms that describe ratios are scale and odds. Basically a ratio compares two values or amounts. The two numbers are usually separated by a colon ":". Examples of ratios are 1:4 or 3:5. If you were writing it out you would say "One to four" or "Three to five."
What does that expression mean? When you say "One to four" you really mean to compare the value of one to the value of four. If you were talking about cars, the speed of one would be equal to four times the speed of another. If you were talking the size of planets, one planet would be four times larger than the other. Here are some examples.
The ratio of the mass of Saturn to the mass of Earth is 95 to one (95:1). That means the mass of Saturn is about 95 times larger than the mass of Earth.
The ratio of heights of Mount Everest to Mount Rainier is 29,028 to 14,410 (29028:14410) That ratio could be simplified to about 2:1. That means the height of Mt. Everest is about twice that of Mt. Rainier.
Arcademic Skill Builders
Too Much Fun to be Math!
Arcademic Skill Builders features arcade-like games that help students practice their math and language arts skills. Students can choose to play against computer opponents, or race their friends in public, multi-player games.If your child is a video game fan, then this is the first site on the list to visit. In addition to the math skills, you'll also find some language arts and even social studies skills games.
Once your child figures out that each game requires a few clicks to get started (winding through a small set of choices about Play options), he'll be ready to play on his own for hours.
Math Game Resources
Mega-fun Card-game Math: grades 3-5
Amazon Price: $7.91 (as of 01/03/2010) 
Games for Math
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 01/03/2010)
Math Games: 180 Reproducible Activities to Motivate, Excite, and Challenge Students, Grades 6-12
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 01/03/2010)
Mega-Fun Math Games and Puzzles for the Elementary Grades: Over 125 Activities that Teach Math Facts, Concepts, and Thinking Skills (Jossey-Bass Teacher)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 01/03/2010)
Instant Math Games That Teach
Amazon Price: $11.69 (as of 01/03/2010)
Railroad Repair
All Aboard!
Railroad Repair is just one of several math games which can be found at Cyberchase, the PBS Kids (aka public television) web site. At first glance these games may seem meant for the younger set, but give them all a look; you'd be surprised at the advanced learning concepts covered.In this particular game, students must use their knowledge of adding decimals to replace missing track pieces so that the train can continue to run. My students were able to get this game immediately without referring to any instructions, and it helped them to practice a fairly mundane skill in a fun way.
Hooda Math
Math that is Fun...Really!
Hooda Math is a fabulous collection of math games, featuring both drill games (such as a PacMan-like multiplication game) and logic games (such as an interactive version of the classic "Farmer Crossing the River" problem). It also features superb "concept" games such as Bloxorz which defy explanation, yet students will find addicting.All in all, Hooda provides a safe, multi-leveled environment which means that students of all ages and abilities will find something of challenge at this site.
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Interactive Resources for Reading Comprehension
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Teaching with Picture Books
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Picture books deserve a place in the upper elementary and middle school grades for a number of reasons. Through this site, I hope to make you a true believer! For those wondering, "Are picture books for me?" I've provided thirteen reason...
Leon's Math Dojo
Leapin' Lizards! It's Mathematical Martial Arts!
From the awesome website I Know That.com comes Leon's Math Dojo. Your child is given a series of math problems, with multiple choice answers appearing on four heavy sacks. If your child clicks on the correct answer, Leon the Lizard (a karate master) kicks, chops, or punches that bag. If your child chooses the wrong answer, Leon still hits the bag, but now the bag hits back!At the end of a set time period a score is tallied, giving bonus points for both speed and accuracy. Be sure at this point, however, to click the "replay" feature. That allows your child to watch Leon attack the answers in high speed, which is an impressive show of mathematical martial arts.
Like all games listed here, the operations (add, subtract, divide, multiple) and the skill level can be chosen to match your child's abilities, allowing both your second grader and your fifth grader to enjoy the same activity.
Thinking Blocks
Model Your Math Problems
Thinking Blocks is an impressive, well-designed instructional site based upon the problem-building strategies of the Singapore Math Program (whether intentionally or not, who's to say?). What I do know is that the step-by-step, prompted examples allow most students, with just a little bit of direction from a teacher, parent, or coach, to understand word problems with greater ease and clarity. If your child digs this approach, and is learning from it, then I would recommend that you investigate other Singapore Math resources. It's a proven program based upon making math as concrete as possible. In the meantime, this site is an awesome place to start. Be sure to view the tutorial to get the most out of it! Singapore Math Resources
Primary Mathematics 4B Workbook (Std. Edition)
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
8-Step Model Drawing
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 01/02/2010)
Primary Math Challenging Word Problems 5 U.S. Edition
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Primary Math Challenging Word Problems 4 U.S. Edition
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Singapore Primary Math (U.S. Ed.) 4A Home Instructor's Guide
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 01/02/2010)
Times Tables Grid
Not Your "Old School" Times Tables
Times Table Grid takes the tried and true (yet somewhat boring) notion of the times tables grid and adds a tech twist.First, students choose the fact they would like to review (sixes, eights, whatever). The grid then tests them on just the multiples for that number. The screen shot to the right is from the instructional sequence, and illustrates how the student will use the traditional times table to find the facts requested.
This site is great for that child who has mastered the lowers sets (twos, threes, fives) but struggles with the higher numbers.
Math Trainer
This Training Tool is One Tough Coach!
Math Trainer is a simple, no-frills fact drill application.If you look at the screen shot, you'll see that I missed a problem. That's why the times table grid shows a pink spot (I'm not doing well on that fact). The single yellow spot marks the first fact that I've mastered (I correctly solved 4x4 five times). The purples which cover the remainder of the board are facts that I've completed well so far, but haven't yet finished to perfection (5 out of 5).
So by the end of this exercise, your child will be asked to solve for every product in your chosen range five times. That's good practice!
What I like most about this one (perhaps because I'm lazy) is that you don't need to press enter after entering each answer. Once you type a number, it's submitted! That's good practice too, as it teaches your child accuracy.
Teaching that Sticks!
Keith's Blog on How to Make Learning Stick!
Teaching that Sticks is the frequently updated blog that compliments this site. There you'll find teaching ideas, resources, and recommended sites for bringing the "sticky factor" to your teaching. Need inspiration, or just an idea you can use in class tomorrow? Either way, you'll find it there!
See the excerpts below for the latest resource or recommended site being featured at Teaching that Sticks right now!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCoffee Shop
Highly Addictive!
Coffee Shop is just one of several math games which can be found at Cool Math. Like many sites here, it requires that you take a look at all the possibilities to see what best matches your students' abilities and your teaching needsIn this the Coffee Shop simulation, students must use their knowledge of controlling variables to run a successful business. They use a base amount of money to purchase supplies (4 variables there), and adjust their recipe (at least 4 variables) based upon past sales and the predicted weather for the following day (2 variables). As you can see in the screenshot, my coffee recipe needed more cream! Some old lady (who looks a lot like my second grade teacher) isn't too happy and is pouring it out.
Like coffee itself, this game is addicting! It's a great simulation involving real-world variables in a highly entertaining way. Be sure to check out the other games at this site!
Quick Flash
Flash Cards in a Flash
Quick Flash is the high tech version of our old flash cards.But why waste time reviewing flash cards for those easier facts that are already memorized? Quick Flash lets you choose the fact group you need to practice. It marks incorrects (see pink in the picture) and corrects (see aqua in the picture), and a thermometer-type timer (the bar on the left) times each individual fact rather than the whole group. That way, if you time out on a particular problem (say, 8 x 12), then you know that's one you still need to practice.
Like Math Trainer above, you do not need to press enter after each answer is submitted.
Teach with Picture Books
Keith's Most Popular Blog!
Teach with Picture Books, is a frequently updated blog featuring picture book recommendations, themes, guiding questions, cross-curricular extensions, and related sites. Teachers, homeschooling parents, and tutors will find great ideas for integrating picture books into their existing curriculum. For you, the math teacher, you'll find some ideas here for using picture books to teach math! What a great integration!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWhich of these was your favorite? Have another site to suggest?
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- LuckoftheIrish LuckoftheIrish Nov 17, 2009 @ 10:06 am
- Great sites here! What's Teaching that Sticks that previous poster mentioned?
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- threegs threegs Apr 20, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
- Loved Thinking Blocks and all of the Math Playground site. I read the Teaching That Sticks anytime there is a new post.
Gregg
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- Jimmie Jimmie Mar 26, 2009 @ 2:02 am
- Oh, an excellent addition to the Learning and Teaching Math group. Thanks for joining us. I've found some sites that look really good for my daughter. Wonderful job!
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- Teddi14 Teddi14 Mar 13, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
- Nice lens. I am lensrolling it to my special education lens. Definitely 5*'s
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- mbrownauthor mbrownauthor Mar 13, 2009 @ 6:22 pm
- I just love your lenses!
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Meet Keith!
Some shameless self-promotion...
Keith Schoch is a 4th grade teacher in Bedminster, New Jersey. During his 20+ years in teaching he earned a Masters in Instruction and Curriculum, served on the New Jersey Department of Education ESPA Mathematics Item Review Committee, piloted tests for Educational Testing Service, assessed candidates for The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and was named a Governor's Teacher of the Year.In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Keith specializes in professional development for organizations such as the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), the New Jersey Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (NJASCD), the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA), The New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS), and the American Camping Association (ACA). He also shares his expertise with colleagues through three highly acclaimed blogs: Teaching that Sticks, Teach with Picture Books, and How to Teach a Novel.
During the summer, Keith serves on the leadership staff of LakeView Day Camp in East Brunswick, NJ.
by kschoch
Keith Schoch is a New Jersey educator active in the fields of education and summer camping. Follow him on Twitter at keithschoch. Contact him at KLSch...
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