Two trains leave the station at the same time on parallel tracks. One travels 560 miles in the same amount of time it takes the second one to travel 630 miles...and why do we care?
Did you spot anything special about the numbers used in this problem (that isn't a problem)? If you have good "number sense" you most likely noticed that 2, 5 and 7 are factors of both numbers. If you didn't catch that, you might want to give this instructable a try.
Students working on multi-step math problems often struggle reaching the correct answer because they have to stop and calculate a small part of the problem and by the time they have that worked out they don't remember what they needed it for. If we can train their brains to solve basic math equations without conscious effort math will get easier for them.
I developed this activity about 10 years ago in my tutoring business. I have used it successfully with students from 5 to 75. The specialized, "Solar Powered, Recycled, Numeric Devices" needed are two decks of ordinary playing cards!
Did you spot anything special about the numbers used in this problem (that isn't a problem)? If you have good "number sense" you most likely noticed that 2, 5 and 7 are factors of both numbers. If you didn't catch that, you might want to give this instructable a try.
Students working on multi-step math problems often struggle reaching the correct answer because they have to stop and calculate a small part of the problem and by the time they have that worked out they don't remember what they needed it for. If we can train their brains to solve basic math equations without conscious effort math will get easier for them.
I developed this activity about 10 years ago in my tutoring business. I have used it successfully with students from 5 to 75. The specialized, "Solar Powered, Recycled, Numeric Devices" needed are two decks of ordinary playing cards!
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: Getting Started
First- Get two decks of playing cards
Second- Remove all Kings, Queens, Jacks and Jokers (except for that one kid in the back row. He may learn something here!)
I use the cards as random number generators. I prefer two decks of cards because of the greater possible card sets. I use the aces as 1's. That gives me eight sets of the digits 1-10. This number works very well for three or four students to play together.
It is not necessary to shuffle too much or to deal the cards out one at a time to the students. Students don't even need to hide their cards from each other. Some of the best teaching in this game comes from one student seeing something a neighbor can do with their cards and giving them a clue (i.e. "I see a way you can make it with four cards!")
Second- Remove all Kings, Queens, Jacks and Jokers (except for that one kid in the back row. He may learn something here!)
I use the cards as random number generators. I prefer two decks of cards because of the greater possible card sets. I use the aces as 1's. That gives me eight sets of the digits 1-10. This number works very well for three or four students to play together.
It is not necessary to shuffle too much or to deal the cards out one at a time to the students. Students don't even need to hide their cards from each other. Some of the best teaching in this game comes from one student seeing something a neighbor can do with their cards and giving them a clue (i.e. "I see a way you can make it with four cards!")
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
Isn't everything, ultimately, solar powered?
Including that in the title was just an attempt to be funny. I suspect it may have driven a few more people to the page than might have otherwise checked it out.
My students do love this game. I have many families who go to it as their "game of choice" for family time and I'm seeing big improvement in their kids math skills.
Have fun!
Steve