Have fun with Math and Science Basics

Math:

  • See how many “number sentences” you can write that represent a given number.  Example: the number is 12 can be represented by: 3×4=12 14-2=12, 6+6=12, etc. An extra challenge: to reach these answers within a given time limit.
  • Write factors or multiples of a number on their Paddle Boards.
  • Have students categorize:

Example: Students are asked to write down the day of the month of their birthday. Then they are asked to get in order silently, using the Boards to show other students their number.

  • Reducing fractions given by teacher, then holding up Paddles to show their answer.
  • Turn board into a clock and practice time (Primary-hour and half hour, More advanced-Exact times)
  • Write numbers as high as you can in a time limit (counting by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, 10’s)
  • Draw certain shapes.  Start with basic shapes (rectangle, circle, and rhombus) which can get increasingly more difficult by grade (pyramid, cube, pentagon, hexagon, cone, triangle-isosceles, equilateral, and scalene).
  • Make a class pattern.  Each student is a part and continues the pattern.(Ad On)
  • Partner up-write a math problem and then switch boards, have your partner solve your problem, then give it back to be corrected.
  • Have 2 students write numbers, then a third student figures out the symbol that goes in the middle >, <, or =.  Could also make addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division sentences.
  • Draw a picture to solve a word problem and write a number sentence answer.

Science:

  • Draw picture of an animal when given a classification-bird, amphibian, reptile, fish, mammal, or living, non living, etc. (Lower grades)
  • Draw and label a picture. Examples: Lower grades-Label a plant, draw a butterfly life cycle, or the water cycle.  Upper grades-Draw the stages of photosynthesis or evaporation, or label a picture of an atom or the earth core.
  • Given an element write the form. Ex: Iron-Fe or Oxygen-O
  • Assign a previously taught vocabulary word. The student then defines in their own words and draws a picture to teach to the class.
  • Playing jeopardy.  The team that holds up the answer first wins.
  • Draw how a given human system works.

Donated by  Teachers from Whited Elementary School, Santa Rosa, CA