Math Masters: Aerobics of the Mind: Description
Grades 4-5
Session 2: 10:30 - 11:55 am
Explore the deeper concepts in mathematics through strategy games and explorations. Students will explore a variety of mathematical strategies and stretch their minds with mathematical challenges in this fun, fast-paced class! This class is geared toward students who have a passion for mathematics and seek enrichment. A variety of technologies, cooperative game-play, and individual challenges will exercise your mind and stretch your mathematical applications!
Session 2: 10:30 - 11:55 am
Explore the deeper concepts in mathematics through strategy games and explorations. Students will explore a variety of mathematical strategies and stretch their minds with mathematical challenges in this fun, fast-paced class! This class is geared toward students who have a passion for mathematics and seek enrichment. A variety of technologies, cooperative game-play, and individual challenges will exercise your mind and stretch your mathematical applications!
Class Introduction Letter:
Games We Play in Math Masters:
- 24
- Snap It Up!
- Mastermind
- Rush Hour (free online version is here! - http://www.agame.com/game/rush_hour_2)
- Set
- Blink
- Math Dice Tournament
- Multiplication Bingo
- Zip Around
- River Crossing: The Perilous Plank Puzzle
- Geoboards
- Racko
- Tipover
- Skunk (a game of probability/chance)
- Colorku (Sudoku with colors)
- Prime Magic
- Fraction Battleship
- Magnetic Pattern Blocks
- KenKen Puzzles
- Origami
- Brain Teasers/Puzzles
- Ciphers/Secret Codes
Math Books We Read:
- "How Much is a Million" by David M. Schwartz
- "Let's Fly a Kite" by Stuart J. Murphy
- "Ready, Set, Hop!" by Stuart J. Murphy
- "Betcha!" by Stuart J. Murphy
- "Divide and Ride" by Stuart J. Murphy
- "Sir Cumference and the First Round Table" by Cindy Neuschwander
- "On Beyond a Million" by David M. Schwartz
- "Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland" by Cindy Neuschwander
- "Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi" by Cindy Neuschwander
- "Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone" by Cindy Neuschwander
- "G is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book" by David M. Schwartz
Sir Cumference Books (online video versions):
Skills/Concepts We Explore:
- Sudoku/KenKen/Number skills
- Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/Division
- Binary Numbers/Binary Expansion
- Data: Mean, Median, Mode
- Rhombicosidodecahedron, with 240 triangular faces and 122 edges.
- Euler's formula that can calculate vertices (v), sides (s), and edges (e): v + s = e + 2
- Probability from our group game "Skunk": they learned that there is a 1/6 chance of rolling a 1 on one dice, and a 1/36 chance of rolling two 1's --> (1/6 x 1/6 = 1/36).
- "Independent Events" with probability - rolling a 1 on the dice once does not impact the next roll, there is still a 1/6 chance of getting any number 1-6.
- Patterns and logic puzzles
- Chance and choice through the game "Skunk"
- Using variables to solve equations
- Prime numbers, factors, divisibility rules, and fact families
- Geometry and Origami
Week 1 Newsletter:
Week 2 Newsletter:
Week 3 Newsletter:
Week 4 Newsletter:
Some of our Origami:
Resources for Students:
Binary Code:
- Website for Binary Magic Trick: http://www.edb.utexas.edu/resources/mathclub/magictrick/index.html
- Binary Magic Card Kit: http://www.edb.utexas.edu/resources/mathclub/magictrick/lessonkit_magic.pdf
- Rush Hour (online version): http://www.agame.com/game/rush_hour_2
- SKUNK: http://illuminations.nctm.org/Lesson.aspx?id=956
- KenKen Puzzles: http://www.kenken.com
- Sudoku Puzzles (online): http://www.websudoku.com
- Sudoku Puzzles (to print): http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/quizzes/sudoku.html
- Crypto Club Ciphers: http://www.cryptoclub.org/tools/ciphers.php
- Crypto Club Additive Ciphers: http://www.cryptoclub.org/tools/additive_cipher.php
- Make & Takes Secret Codes: http://www.makeandtakes.com/3-secret-codes-to-try-with-your-kids
- Tessellations: http://www.tessellations.org
- Tessellations (DIY Paper Method): http://www.tessellations.org/methods-diy-papercut.shtml
- Origami Instructions: http://www.origami-instructions.com
- Origami Frog: http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-hopping-frog.html
- Origami Tea Cup: http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-tea-cup.html
- Origami Tie: http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-tie.html
- Origami Crown: http://www.origami-instructions.com/easy-origami-crown.html
- Brain Teasers/Logic (4th Grade): http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mhm/brain/gr4/
- Brain Teasers/Logic (5th Grade): http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mhm/brain/gr5/
- APlus Click Logic Questions: http://www.aplusclick.com/wordproblems.htm
- Norwood Logic Puzzles: http://www.sites.norwood.k12.ma.us/k5curr/math_info/logic_problems.htm
- Puzzlers Paradise: http://www.puzzlersparadise.com/page1042.html
- Daily Dose Brainteasers: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/brain_teasers.htm