Talk:Math Tutoring





Comment by Bob Albrecht 9/14/2011
Here is a copy of an email message.

Ahoy Cheryl, I do believe that IEP students can learn algebra better and faster, and like it more, by playing games designed to teach algebra. Play on the Internet and play my never-ending bunch of paper and pencil games. Result: better grade in algebra and pass the Oregon State math test. While writing Becoming a Better Math Tutor, Dave Moursund and I explored hundreds of math Web sites. Here is one we recommend to help IEP students learn algebra and have fun, perhaps acquiring a better attitude towards learning algebra. Web site: Math Playground http://www.mathplayground.com/ Math Games In the menu on the left, you see Math Games and Logic Puzzles. Click on Math Games. You go to http://www.mathplayground.com/games.html. You see 23 games. Together they cover a big chunk of algebra. Here are direct links to 15 games I like that reinforce topics in algebra. Shape Mods http://www.thinkingblocks.com/ShapeMods/ShapeMods.html [Transformations] X Detectives http://www.thinkingblocks.com/XDetectives/XDetectives.html [Integers, solve algebra puzzles, graphing, functions, translations] Project T.R.I.G. http://www.thinkingblocks.com/ProjectTRIG/ProjectTRIGPreloader.html [Select angle and velocity to land a food package on target] . Algebra Reasoning http://www.mathplayground.com/algebra_puzzle.html [Solve puzzle with three 'variables'.] Algebra Reasoning http://www.mathplayground.com/algebraic_reasoning.html [Find values of 3 objects.] Decention http://www.mathplayground.com/Decention/Decention.html [fraction, decimal, percent] Number Bonds http://www.mathplayground.com/PartPartWhole.html [Shoot down the number that makes 100 with a given number - arcade game style.] Bridge Builders http://www.mathplayground.com/FractionGame/FractionGame.html [Add fractions to build a bridge.] Number Invaders http://www.mathplayground.com/balloon_invaders.html [multiplication & division arcade style] Space Racer http://www.mathplayground.com/spaceracer_multiplication.html [Navigate through asteroids using multiplication.] Making Change http://www.mathplayground.com/making_change.html [Make change by clicking on coins and bills.] Toy Shopping http://www.mathplayground.com/percent_shopping.html [Calculate price, discount, and discounted price.] Alien Angles http://www.mathplayground.com/alienangles.html [Estimate angle and fire a rescue rocket to save a friendly alien.] Locate Aliens http://www.mathplayground.com/locate_aliens.html [Locate friendly aliens by entering their graph coordinates.] Space Boy to the Rescue http://www.mathplayground.com/spaceboyrescue.html [Drag Space Boy to the given location (coordinates) on the graph.] Logic Puzzles

At Math Playground http://www.mathplayground.com/, click on Logic Puzzles. You go to http://www.mathplayground.com/logicgames.html. We like these. We don't claim that they reinforce algebra, but they DO encourage thinking and problem solving. Factory Balls 1 http://www.mathplayground.com/logic_factoryballs.html [Manufacture multi-colored balls as shown in the picture on the box.] Factory Balls 3 http://www.mathplayground.com/logic_factoryballs3.html [Manufacture multi-colored balls as shown in the picture on the box.] Sugar Sugar http://www.mathplayground.com/logic_sugarsugar.html [Draw 'ramps' to direct the falling sugar into one or more cups.] Think Outside the Flock http://www.mathplayground.com/logic_duck.html [Figure out what to do to get the ducks to move off the screen.] Doggnation http://www.mathplayground.com/logic_doggnation.html [Help the dogs bring the right stuff to upgrade the castle.] Full Moon http://www.mathplayground.com/logic_fullmoon.html [Feed the rabbit.] Speedy http://www.mathplayground.com/logic_speedy.html [Help Speedy the mouse grab the cheeses.] Sliding Block Puzzle http://www.mathplayground.com/slidingblock.html [Move the red block out of the box. Plan ahead!] I think that many of your IEP students will become better than me (better than you too?)at these puzzles, especially the arcade-game-type puzzles, and get a big ego boo (old science fiction fanzine word for 'ego boost') and realize that they are smart, can do math, and can enjoy math. This is only the tip of the iceberg. There are many more -- hundreds, maybe thousands of sites that can help students learn and enjoy algebra. Reality expands to fill the available fantasies, Bob & George PS Of course, I hope that YOU will play all of these games/puzzles!