Websites for Math Intervention
1. www.mrnussbaum.com/mathgames
This website has a lot of really fun and entertaining math games ranging from first to sixth grade. The games cover a range of standards but there are three games that my sixth grade summer school students really enjoyed. The directions are all organized with visuals instead of a list of directions. This makes the games more independent for the students.
· Place Value Pirates: 6.N.2- Demonstrate an understanding of place value to billions and thousandths.
Students identify place value from tens to hundredths. There are five pirates standing on a platform. Each platform has a number. The top of the screen displays a clue, such as “a 3 in the tenths place”. The student needs to choose the pirate that matches this clue.
I really like this game because although it is a basic matching game, it keeps the students’ interest with the music and fun colors. It is also a nice game because a student could play when they had five free minutes or when they finished their work early.
· Clara’s Fraction Ice Cream Shop: 6.N.5- Identify and determine common equivalent fraction, mixed numbers, decimals, and percents.
Students convert improper fractions to mixed numbers. The game starts with an ice cream order. For example: 4/3 chocolate, 7/3 vanilla, and 9/2 coffee. The student then have to construct the ice cream cone by selecting whole scoop or fractions of a scoop for the different flavors. When they are done, they send the cone to the customer and receive money for correct orders.
Students really make connections between mixed numbers, improper fractions, and real life situations. I love how the students have to pick the write fraction of the scoop to represent the flavors. This aspect of the game really forces them to separate the wholes from the parts/fractions. This game involves some time and thought and it might be played best with a partner.
2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/mathsfile/gameswheel.html
This website is so much fun that the kids want to keep playing and trying different games. The games are presented on a wheel that is divided into four categories; Number, Data Handling, Shape Space and Measure, and Algebra. Each section has several games that help students practice and develop math skills. These games all have three levels and most of my sixth grade summer school students were successful at the first two levels. I really liked how each game was differentiated for different levels. This was great for intervention.
· Grid Games: 6.N.8- Apply number theory concepts-including prime and composite numbers, prime factorization, greatest common factor, least common multiple, and divisibility rules for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10-to the solution of problems.
Students are given a 4x4 grid filled with numbers and are asked to choose the numbers that fit the corresponding rule. An example of a rule is: “All prime numbers”, or “multiples of 6 and 7”. This game has a button labeled “tip” that the students can choose if they get confused by the vocabulary. The tips are very clear and help the students continue along with the game.
· Builder Ted: 6.N.7- Compare and order integers (including negative integers), and positive fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, and percents.
Students are given a pile of bricks, which are labeled with various numbers, including decimals. They have to use the bricks to build the ladder so the Builder Ted can climb to the top. This game is a great way to practice ordering numbers that include decimals.
· Saloon Snap: 6.N.5- Identify and determine common equivalent fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, and percents.
Students are given two numbers; a fraction and a decimal. They have to press the buzzer when the two numbers are equivalent. This game is hard because the numbers move along quickly and the students really have to know their equivalent pairs of fractions and decimals. This was a good game to challenge the students who were doing well with this concept.
3. www.funbrain.com
This website has a lot of great math games for the students to play independently. The site has various grade levels for each of the games. This is a really nice feature because students can play their favorite game year after year without it becoming too easy! These games are pretty basic which allows for a quick computer session when a student has five minutes of free time. This is a good website to have on your favorites for those students who are always asking what to do when they are done.
· Line Jumper: 6.N.6- Find and position integers, fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals (both positive and negative) on the number line.
Students are given a choice between three number lines ranging from -20 to 20 to -10 to 10. The computer then provides the student with an equation, which they then have to solve and place the number/answer on the number line. This game focuses mainly on positive and negative integers. The part of the game that I really like is that they provide the student with the number line and a starting point. For example, if the problem read: -6+3; there would be a red dot on the -6 integer on the number line. This addition of visuals can really help a struggling student become successful.
· Soccer Shootout: 6.N.14- Accurately and efficiently add, subtract, multiply, and divide positive fractions and mixed numbers. Simplify fractions.
This game has students play soccer against the computer. Students choose whether they are going to play by adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing fractions with uncommon denominators. The students can score five goals by answering their computation correctly. They also have five opportunities to block their opponent’s shots by correctly solving five more computation problems. I suggest that students work in pairs for this game so that they can check each other’s work. Paper and pencils should also be provided at the computer station.
· Place Value Puzzler: 6.N.2- Demonstrate and understanding of place value to the billions and thousandths.
This is a great review game for naming numbers based on their place value. The students are given numbers and asked to click on the number in a particular value, such as the hundred thousands. If they choose correctly, a piece of the puzzle is revealed. Once they have correctly answered nine problems, the final puzzle is shown. The numbers given represent from the millions to the millionths. This is a really quick game and nice filler for any extra five minutes.