Jessica Dieffenbacher, Zach Ortolano & Deb Zibreg
Math Day Activity
November 20, 2008
Math is Hot
Math is Hot is a fast paced vocabulary building game that encourages good communication and a wide range of mathematical knowledge. This game is similar to the popular game “Catch Phrase”.
Materials
Math vocabulary spiral bound index cards (book)
Stop watch
Random Time Sheet
White board/markers (for scoring)
Game Set Up
Players sit in a circle. Starting with a player as player 1, every odd numbered player (counting to the right) is a member of team A. The even numbered players are members of team B. (Should there be an odd number of players; the player on player 1’s left plays for both teams A and B).
A score board is to be made visible to both teams and the referee will have a stopwatch and time sheet with random times (anywhere from 5 to 60 seconds). The math vocabulary book is given to player 1.
Game Play
At the start of the game the game referee will set a timer for a random amount of time. Player 1 looks at the first word and describes it to team A. When a teammate gives Player 1 the correct answer Player 1 passes the book to player 2 who then flips to the next card and describes the word for team B. The book is passed around the circle to the right and players continue the game while the timer is going.
During game play, only team members play with other team members (as to not give points to the opposing team).The object is the pass the stack around as fast as possible (like hot potato). Should a player opt to pass on their word, they may flip that card and pass the book to the next player. Players cannot act out the word (i.e. draw an imaginary square in the air), use “rhymes with”, “starts with” or say part of the clue. (For example: if the word is equatorial triangle, the player cannot say “It is a triangle that has…”)
Points
There are three ways to earn points:
· Each word correctly identified gets a point for the team.
· When the timer stops, whichever team not holding the book receives a point.
· If the timer goes off in the middle of a turn, the opposing team has a chance to steal an extra point by guessing the word.
Winning
The first team to 20 points wins the game!
Math is Hot
Preparation Worksheet
For this game you will need to describe math words to your teammates. You may not use the word in the clue (see example). Write mathematical clues for the following words.
Word / Mathematical Clues1. Equilateral Triangle / Example Correct: A three sided shape with equal sides and equal angles.
INCORRECT: A triangle with equal sides.
2. Square
3. Even number
4. Fraction
5. Product
6. Bar Graph
7. Scalene Triangle
8. Trapezoid
9. Rounding
10. Pie Chart
11. Percent
12. Meter
13. Mean