Dynamic Paper

Be sure to check out the Dynamic Paper app from NCTM's Illuminations site.  This app allows teachers to customize and print out graph paper, grids, number lines, tessellations, spinners, pattern blocks and more.  Users control the number of sections in the spinner and colors.  Likewise, users set the size of the sides of pattern blocks or the range of the number line. 


Dynamic Paper is a great resource for teachers designing activities to support math learning.  It's also an invaluable tool for teachers needing to differentiate classroom learning activities to meet the varied needs of learners in their classrooms.


Check out Dynamic Paper.

Baseball Multiplication Game

Teachers familiar with the Everyday Math Program are familiar with the Baseball Multiplication Game played to help students master basic multiplication facts.  Players toss two dice, multiply the numbers, then enter the product to score.  According to the table, that product earns a single, double, triple, home run or an out.  Students will enjoy playing against the computer and practice multiplication facts at the same time.


Try Baseball Multiplication online at the Everyday Math Games Site.

Napier's Bones

Once students are comfortable with lattice multiplication, Napier's Bones is a great enrichment activity. Students order the bones as they would write the problem in the lattice. They are then able to read the answer without any writing. It's magic!


Download the Napier's Bones template that students may cut apart to create the bones. The file contains three different versions including blank bones that students fill in to create the bones, developing a richer understanding of the magic of the bones. Copy the handout on card stock and laminate before cutting to create more durable classroom sets.  Teachers may also elect to create a transparency of the bones and cut apart for use on the overhead.


Interactive Napier's Bones:
This site allows students to manipulate the Napier's Bones to multiply large numbers and check the accuracy of their answers.  Simply click on Get Multiplication to start, then click the appropriate bones to add them to the problem on the left.  Students then read the correct answer, post it in the answer box and click Check answer.


Note that the site may also be used to do any problem.  Simply click Reset, then click on the bones needed, and read the answer.  This would be a powerful introduction to Napier's Bones using a whiteboard or projector. 

NCTM Number Sense Games

Primary Krypto

This NCTM Illuminations online game helps students develop number sense as they combine 5 different numbers with any of the 4 operations (+ - X /) to produce the target number. This online adaptation of the Krypto game is a great site for student practice of basic facts. Consider pairing students to work together and strategize solutions. Visit Mathwire's What's New? page to download a template to use with students who are not at the computer.

Add this game to your Game Day repertoire and send home the link to parents so that students can practice at home as well.

Calculation Nation

Create a free account on this site to play the games: Square Off, Factor Dazzle, Fraction Feud, Times Square or Slam Ball. This is a great way to practice multiplication and division facts. Two of my favorites are Factor Dazzle and Times Square.

In Factor Dazzle (Factor Game), students must correctly identify all of the factors of a number to gain points. But beware: the student chooses the number but the computer gets points for the sum of all the factors still available on the game board. Then the computer chooses a number and the student must identify all the factors still left on the game board. The player with the most points wins the game so students learn to choose very carefully and rehearse several options in the search for the best choice that yields the most points for them while giving their opponent the fewest points.

In Times Square (Product Game), students change one of the two given factors to create a new product on the game board. Four squares in a row wins the game. Students try to extend their own patterns while blocking their opponent. Once again, students must choose a factor carefully so that they don't give their opponent the winning edge.

The Calculation Nation site offers two different modes of play: players may challenge themselves by playing against the computer or they may challenge others by choosing another online player from a menu of available players. In fact, students are encouraged to try to play someone from each of the 50 states and the site keeps a record on a US map for students to view.

Once again, add this valuable free site to your classroom Game Day resources. Be sure to send this URL home to parents so that students may play at home as well. Students may easily challenge fellow students or their parents in the multi-user format. The challenge others option is an incredible format for tech-savvy kids!