Practice makes perfect! (or at least it can help improve one's skills...). The following web sites are excellent for both practice and for enrichment opportunities.
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
- This website has just about every math manipulative you can think of
for grades K-12. We use this in class in just about every unit.
Everyday Math Online
- This website complements the Everyday Math curriculum used by the
School District of Clayton. There are math games and an electronic
version of the Student Reference Book available to students. Each
student at Glenridge has been given their own unique code to access
this site. (If students can not access this site, they should try the
following link to access the Everyday Math games only: EM Games Online)
AAA Math
- Practice! Practice! and more Practice! This is the ultimate "Drill
and Kill" site. Many students love this site because it presents
straightforward, no-nonsense problems AND will generate a report of how
accurately they completed the task.
Jefferson Lab - Games & Puzzles - This site has a number of speed tests, math magic games and logic puzzles to challenge the daring!
Interactivate
- This site has hundreds of interactive math activities for moderate to
advanced mathematical thinkers. Many of the tools/activities can be
adjusted for differing and developing skill levels.
FunBrain - Math Arcade
- Loaded with interactive graphics, this site is a kid pleaser. There
are a number of different basic tasks with some innovative ways to play.
A Math Dictionary for Kids - This is a unique dictionary that focuses specifically on math vocabulary and concepts. If you don't know it, look it up!
There's
no time like family time! One of the best ways to entice your child
into practicing math and reading skills while maximizing positive,
interactive family time is to play games together. Here are a number of
games that can improve critical math, logic and critical thinking
skills, while providing engaging meaningful time as a family. Most of
the games listed below are played in the classroom as a supplement to
the Everyday Mathematics Curriculum.
24
(all versions) - This is an execellent game in which each player uses
the numbers on the card to reach the result of 24. Players use a
combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to
reach the target number. (http://www.24game.com/)
3-D Tangrams
- 2-Dimensional tangrams are fun, but 3-Dimensional tangrams make great
statues and bring this ancient geometry patterning art/math form to
life. (http://www.mindwareonline.com/)
Abalone
- This strategy game helps students think multi-dimensionally and
promotes critical thiniking and planning. Players or teams attempt
to push seven of their opponents balls off of the game board. (http://www.educationallearninggames.com/abalone-game.asp)
Battleship - This classic game stresses coordinate geometry. It is still as fun as it used to be. (http://www.boardgamecentral.com/games/battleship.html)
Blokus - Blokus is the modern day equivalent of a game called "Cathedral."
Players place variations of pentominos on a gridded game board in an
effort to isolate their opponent. The player who is able to carve out
the greatest area for him or herself wins. (http://www.boardgamecentral.com/games/blokus.html)
DaVinci's Challenge - DaVinci's Challenge
is a beautiful pattern game that helps develop visual-spatial
awareness. Players take turns placing one of two specifc shapes on a
game board trying to create specific patterns. However, this a
continual offence/defense game as the players attempt to block their
opponent as they try build scoring shapes.
Equate - This is one of two math versions of Scrabble.
Players score points by creating math equations. They use the
equations of others as building blocks for their own problems. (http://www.conceptualmathmedia.com/)
Equazzle
- Players take turns placing specific shapes on a patterned board. As
each piece is placed, the player follows the instructions on the
covered patterns to collect points. Two different sides of the game
board promote addition and subtraction or addition, subtraction and
multiplication. (http://www.dominoes.com/product.aspx?product=365)
Kuba - This strategy game helps students think multi-dimensionally and
promotes critical thiniking and planning. Players or teams attempt
to push six of their opponents balls off of the game board. (http://www.amazon.com/Kuba-Board-Game/dp/B00000IZQ2)
Mastermind - Another classic, Mastermind promotes critical thinking as players attempt to read clues to recreate hidden patterns. (http://www.boardgamecentral.com/games/mastermind.html)
Monopoly
- An oldy but a goody (unless you play one of the 5,000 topic specific
versions produced by local colleges, towns, blockbuster movies or
holiday promoters) that helps children learn how to handle and
manipulate money, broker deals, and trade for desired property. (http://www.boardgamecentral.com/games/monopoly.html)
Othello - "Reversi"
is the other common name for this flippin' fantastic pattern game.
There are many versions of this critical thinking game including many
online versions. (http://www.boardgamecentral.com/games/reversi.html)
Rush Hour
- This traffic themed logic puzzle is an excellent way for players to
develop planning and patterning skills. Players try to unlock a
taxi-cab (or ice cream truck in Rush Hour Jr.) by sliding various size cars and trucks in and out of the way of the exit. (check out all of their amazing games at http://www.thinkfun.com/)
Set
- This is one of the ultimate pattern/anit-pattern games that promotes
recognition of attributes. Players look for "sets" of similar or
dissimilar cards with specific attributes. (check out all of their
amazing games at http://www.setgame.com/)
SMATH - This is one of two math versions of Scrabble.
Players score points by creating math equations. They use the
equations of others as building blocks for their own problems. (http://store.pressmantoy.com/Smath)
Triominoes - Triominos is Dominos with addition. A great family game, Triominos also helps players develop their visual-spatial understanding while rotating and matching tiles. (http://www.boardgamecentral.com/games/triominos.html)
Yahtzee
- A classic of probability, Yahtzee is also a fantastic game for
developing patterns, solidfying basic addition. This high energy,
fast-paced game is fun for the family and great for math learning on
multiple levels. (http://www.boardgamecentral.com/games/yahtzee.html)
Any game from ThinkFun - (check out all of their amazing games at http://www.thinkfun.com/)
