I assume I am not the first person to think of this, but just in case I am, this is the game that I played today in class (if you have seen this before tell me in the comments)!
The Rules
It is pictionary, but with integers! Basically it runs like this.
- The teacher has a list of x number of worked out equations involving integers (ex. (-3)+(+2)=(-1)) written on a piece of paper.
- Students in pairs/groups send one person who is the "drawer" to see the equation.
- Students return to their group, where on one mini white board they draw the equation (using a number line or army men [what lesser people call "integer chips"]).
- Other students in the group use their own mini whiteboards to write down the equation exactly.
- When students correctly answer on their whiteboard they send the next student up to the front to receive an equation.
- The process continues until all teams are finished (if you are into rewards give the top team some candy or something).
Why I like it
I really want students to understand the models that they are applying to these problems. I feel that drawing it out is way harder for students than "doing it" as they seem to think memorizing mnemonics is true math. It gets students thinking laterally about mathematics, and translating something concrete into something abstract.
Other Uses
I can easily see using this with algebra tiles, fractions, etc. I really do not think it is for integers alone. What do you think?
