Math Homework- Make Math More Fun By Assigning Fun Math Card Games

The following is an article I wrote about using math card games as a homework assignment.  The debate could go on and on about how much homework is necessary, and even if it is needed at all, but with math, the everyday practice of skills learned in class seem to make a big difference. Just think, if you were to make math more fun by having homework assignments that include math card games that actually give the same drill that they would get on a workbook page...why not try it? It would certainly be worth looking into, wouldn't it?  What you could do is every once and awhile use a card game instead of flash card drills!

Make Math More Fun - Use Printable Math Card Games For Homework

By Sue Gnagy Fegan

http://ezinearticles.com/?Make-Math-More-Fun---Use-Printable-Math-Card-Games-For-Homework&id=3400720

Math homework is a fact of life. The extra practice each night helps solidify concepts being taught and creates reinforcing connections in the brain to enhance memory. Typical homework is a worksheet or two with exercises to complete or a page from a text book. Creating homework around card games that can be printed out from the computer could be just as effective learning tool while and will also be homework that continues to make math more fun even while away from school. Card games can be played with parents who are always wanting to know what they can do to help. Chances are with a card game the student will go above and beyond the call and play the game more often than the assignment says.

Innovative Involvement:

• Print out a blank card game template and have the students write problems on the cards.
• Give the students the cards to cut up to use in games. These can be cards already printed out or cards you created.
• Give the students one copy of a set of problems to use for a card game and have them create the second or third copy needed to make the game.
• Students can add to their decks of cards when new facts or concepts are taught.
• Let the student think of ways to adapt a card game they know to use fun math cards.

Happy Holiday Homework

• Math teachers would prefer students to do some work over long weekends or holiday vacations.
• Having several math card games for the students to play at home over the holiday will make it feel less like homework and make math more fun, even if it is a homework assignment.
• Educational math games usually allow a limited number of facts to be used, so the same fact will be practiced multiple times in the course of one game.
• Choose some different games that include higher level thinking skills or includes a problem solving element.

Parent Playing Practices

• Students want to please their parents, so they should not be put in a situation where the work is too hard. Be careful in your choice of facts used in these card games.
• Make sure the problems are ones that need solid review and reinforcement and are not ones that students only have a tenuous hold on. This also eliminated parent anxiety when they students do not know something.
• Make sure the math card games sent home are based on the element of chance, this will level the playing field.
• Have the rules written out clearly so the student is not left trying to explain the game.

Homework does not have to be boring and can be engaging with fun math card games incorporated into the homework mix. Whether these games are sent home for holiday homework,, over summer vacation or just for a long three day weekend, they will help to not only make math more fun at school but home as well.

It is absolutely possible for a teacher to make the materials and activities they use challenging and still have fun in their classroom and for homework. Keep your students interested, active and engaged. It makes the biggest difference in their overall learning experience.

Discover some printable math games that were created and used in classrooms by a real live teacher!  Digital downloads--easy as pie---

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