Math Games
Math games can be math-oriented games and intelectual puzzles that can be used to engage maths tutees. As games are seen as more fun learners may be more inclined to play them and therefore be more inclined to practice the maths skill set used by the game.
Maths related games, puzzles, brainteasers and other activities can be linked with math tutoring during lessons. Maths tutors can improve tutees math skills and interest in mathematics by assisting them with math games. A good math tutor uses a set of games to help improve the tutees ability where possible.
Good math games should:
- Be easy to grasp yet still be challenging
- Use math concepts and math-style thinking
- Create a chance that the tutee will be intrinsically motivating i.e. The tutee should find the game interesting and play it on their own accord. This means the tutee may very well play the game outside of lesson time
- Activities in the game allow for transfer of learning/transfer of practice
Wordsworth
Wordsworth is a game that uses both mathematics and language skills and can aid in developing both.
| a = 1 | b = 2 | c = 3 | d = 4 | e = 5 | f = 6 | g = 7 | h = 8 | i = 9 |
| j = 10 | k = 11 | l = 12 | m = 13 | n = 14 | o = 15 | p = 16 | q = 17 | r = 18 |
| s = 19 | t = 20 | u = 21 | v = 22 | w = 23 | x = 24 | y = 25 | z = 26 |
To play Wordsworth, each letter is assigned a value. A is given the value 1, B the value 2 and so on as in the table above. Uppercase letters are given the same value as their lowercase counterparts. To calculate the Wordsworth value of a word the value of each individual letter is calculated and added together.
Examples of Wordsworth values of words are:
- math = m + a + t + h = 13 + 1 + 20 + 8 = 42
- game = g + a + m + e = 7 + 1 + 13 + 5 = 26
When playing, words are selected from the dictionary and the learner can be asked the following
- The Wordsworth value of each word
- The word with the lowest Wordsworth value
- The word with the highest Wordsworth value
- To sort the list alphabetically
- To sort the list by Wordsworth value
Place Value Game
The decimal number system expresses numbers using the digits 0 – 9 by the concept of place value. A 1 digit number only has a 1's place, a 2 digit number has a 10's place and a 1's place, a 3 digit number has a 100's, 10's and 1's place and as the number of digits increases so does the place value. The more digits the more place values. For a further explanation of place value see www.aaamath.com/plc.html
| 100's | 10's | 1's |
The rules for 3 digit place value game are:
- A single dice is rolled 3 times
- After each roll the value can be placed in either 100's, 10's or 1's place
- A place may only be used once i.e. for the first roll the number may be placed in 100's, 10's or 1's, for the second roll the number may be placed in either of the places not chosen in the first roll and for the third roll the number must be placed in the remaining place not chosen during roll 1 and 2
- The object of the game can be to create the highest or the lowest number possible from 3 rolls
The following is an example of a game:
| 100's | 10's | 1's | |
| Rolls a 6 and places the 6 in the 100's place | 6 | ||
| Rolls a 2 and places the 2 in the 1's place | 6 | 2 | |
| Rolls a 3 and places the 3 in the 10's place | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| The game is complete with the number 632 created |