Fun With Numbers

Making the Sciences Applicable

Take a poll of current students and you are likely to find that mathematics and science are listed among the most difficult subjects to learn. While numbers and statistics may not come easy to everyone, there are many reasons and ways that these subjects can become not only applicable but also enjoyable to most students.

When it comes to subjects that don’t come “naturally” it’s all about a little effort and a lot of creativity. In other words, the text book might not be the best way for every student to learn. If that’s the case, the first step towards solving the student’s challenge is to identify what does work for that student. What are their loves? What does come naturally to them? After that is determined then you can find the corresponding points where their abilities and interests intersect with the subject at hand.

For example, a student that loves technology might enjoy learning mathematical concepts after using a software-based calculation program (such as Microsoft Excel(r) or OpenOffice Calc(r)) that uses principles of math to create complex equations. A student with business interests will be motivated by learning about a Profit and Loss report and how numbers not only reflect their business accomplishments but can be used as a learning tool to change their business future. Likewise, students interested in health care, environment or sustainability may quickly find the benefits of a science education and how that will not only add to their knowledge base, but their credibility as well.

Filed Under: Education, Mathematics Tagged With: Mathematics, Microsoft Excel, Student

Got Math Skills? Try Your Luck at an Online Casino

Mathematicians often make great gamblers because they quickly understand odds and probability. Try your hand at playing the odds at one of the hottest new gaming trends: playing at an online casino. Virtual casinos are becoming an increasingly popular way to have fun or make money online. Best of all, online casinos don’t require players to leave the comfort of their own home or travel long distances. Nowadays, all a good player needs to experience the thrill of online gambling is an internet connection.

Play Against People From all Over the World

When you play casino games online, you get the chance to play against people from all over the world. It’s completely interactive. Many casinos even offer live dealers in their online games, meaning that a human dealer and cards are shown to players via a live webcam. This replaces the often cold and impersonal feel of a random number generator or a complicated algorithm.

How to Choose an Online Casino

Only gamble at reputable casinos so you can ensure your online reputation and identity remain safe. Most casinos will let you choose between having a “fun” account and a “real” account. The first account is for “just-for-fun” players who want to play for free. The real accounts are for players who want to gamble to earn money. Be aware that live dealer games may only be available to “real” accounts.

Online Casinos: the Next Wave of Gambling

No matter how you choose to play, there’s no doubt that online gambling is the wave of the future. You’ll soon be using your math skills to calculate odds and win hands in no time.

Filed Under: Alexander Grothendieck, Education Tagged With: Casino, Online casino

Fun, Interactive Fourth Grade Math Games

Even though most fourth graders will try to pretend that they are grown up or almost in middle school they really do like to have a little fun while learning certain concepts. A great example of having fun while learning certain concepts is the ability to play some types of interactive math games with the fourth graders to help them learn and understand various math skills. Interactive games are a fun way to reinforce certain concepts that are vital for the students to learn and understand.

Here is a look at some of the interactive math games that some fourth grade teachers will use to help teach their students various math concepts and skills.

Cash Out. This can be a real fun creative game. The teacher will create various objects and items that are for sale. There will be one shopper and one cashier. The shopper will go along and shop through the store and take it to the cashier who will have to make change and add the items up. This can be done in a huge group setting or by breaking the students up into small groups.

Moving Day. Moving Day is another fun game. The teacher will bring in various objects and items that could be used on moving day. Some great examples include a toy car or stuffed animal for pets. Each item will have a tag that shows how much the items weigh. The student will have to figure out what combination will allow them to take as many items as possible without going over the moving day weight limit. This teaches students addition, subtraction and weight systems.

Filed Under: Education, Mathematics Tagged With: Fourth grade, Mathematics, Student

Math Stations for First Graders Part 1

Many first grade teachers have started to use the station concept of teaching. Stations allow students to be broken up into smaller groups and get more one on one time with their teacher as they learn various math concepts. Math is a very popular subject to have various stations in as it allows the teacher to reinforce certain concepts and make sure that each student understands the concept.

Here is a look at some types of math stations that teachers can create for their class. These activities are ideal for children in the first grade.

Money Cans. Money cans are a great way to see if children understand the concept of math. The children will be presented with various containers that contain play coins. You will show them the cans and have them count out the coins. You can record their answers or help them figure out how to add the coins up. This will allow you to see who is grasping the concept of money, who needs more work and what parts might need to be reinforced in the classroom.

Weight Stations. One of the basic math concepts children learn during the first grade is the concept of more, less or equal. Have various cards made up of different situations and have the children work out whether it will be more, less or equal. After they have guessed have them take the objects in the picture and try out the concept first hand. This will allow them to learn research, testing and reinforce the various math concepts that you are trying to teach.

Filed Under: Education, Mathematics Tagged With: Child, Concept, Mathematics, Teacher

Math Fun That Helps Develop Critical Thinking Skills and Geometric Shape Understanding

Some of the most interesting parts of math is the ability to develop critical thinking skills. Many critical thinking skills do not require the use of having to add up numbers or develop long equations. Instead critical thinking skills can come in handy for real life situations and even fun games. Here is a look at two of the best ways to develop children’s and adult’s critical thinking skills in a fun exciting way.

Tangrams. Tangrams have been used for centuries to help people understand the various geometric shapes. Tangrams show everyone an image of an animal or character and have the students develop that image using a set of geometric shapes. There are hundreds of images that can be developed and put together. If you don’t want to use some of the pre-set images you can have students cut out shapes using a pattern and make their own tangrams. It really is a fun creative way to not only learn about the various geometric shapes but to develop critical thinking skills.

Patterns. Patterns are everywhere in the world. They are on T-shirts, clothing, blankets and in the designing world. However, patterns are a great way to develop geometric shapes and have a bit of fun doing so. Many teachers will give their students various geometric shapes and encourage them to develop their pattern making skills by creating fun and exciting patterns. This activity can also be turned into an art project because the students can then color and design various layouts that will really stand out.

Filed Under: Mathematics, Numbers Tagged With: Critical thinking, Pattern, Skill, Student

How to Play Number Word Bingo

While many people envision school as children sitting there and learning various concepts it is more than just that. Many teachers have started to develop fun and exciting ways for their students to learn the various math concepts that are required by that particular age group. One of the most popular ways to do this is through the use of the popular game bingo.

Math bingo has become an extremely popular way to help children fine tune their math skills and have a little fun doing it. There are so many different ways that you can use math as a part of the bingo game. Here is a look at one way that teachers use bingo as a part of their math course.

One of the most popular games for elementary school children is the number word bingo. Number word bingo is a great way to have children learn how to read the numbers and the words of the numbers. This game is usually reserve for elementary school. A teacher will create a bingo card with the numbers written on it as if it were bingo. They will then create index cards with the number words on it. The child will be required to place a marker over the number word. The game can also be reversed and the child can place markers on the number words while the teacher shows an index card with the numbers on it. When a child has a bingo they can call out bingo just as if it were a regular game of bingo.

Filed Under: Mathematics, Numbers Tagged With: Bingo, Bingo card, Game