Translating Verbal Expressions: Four Corners Game

-
This may seem like one of "those" mathematics topics that are difficult to teach content to students and keep them fully engaged.  However, here is an interactive activity that I used to teach this concept and keep the students involved and interacting with the content.

I started with a blank graphic organizer of the 4 mathematical operations.  Then I had the students talk to their seat partner on some words that could be added under each operation heading.  Students were then invited to write ideas on the board or I would write in for them (depended on the time available and the class--some children can't make it to the board and back without incident). In some classes I did have to guide the students to come up with most of the words.


After, this portion of the lesson we played "Four Corners".  My version of Four Corners is played like the traditional game (students go to a corner and the person who is it guesses a corner and the students in that corner are out). However, this is the Translating Verbal Expressions version.  Students choose a verbal expression (such as sum) from a pile of previously made cards, they are to then go to one of the four corners of the room (which have been labeled as add, subtract, multiply, and divide).

There are two ways to get out: 1. they are in the wrong corner (I check after each student has reached a corner) 2. the student who is deemed it guesses their corner.


My students love this activity! After playing a few rounds, I have the students work independently at their seats continuing to translate the verbal expressions but at a more rigorous level.

Tips:

  • I have my cards color-coded (all of the green cards mean addition) so that I can instantly see when a student is in the wrong corner.
  • I begin with the filled in graphic organizer on the board and after a few rounds I take it off of the board.
  • I may use a timer if students are being indecisive about which corner to go to.

I have also used a Four Corners variation at the beginning of school in a Strongly Agree/Agree/Disagree/Strongly Disagree getting to know the students activity.  I put a statement on the board and the students go to the corner that reflects how they feel about the statement. Ex. I believe that I will get an A in this class.

What are some other ways that this activity can be used or that you have used in in your class?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Questioning Techniques: Questions that Extend Responses

-
Image
  Posing the right questions to students is one of the most important techniques that can be used when teaching and assessing students.  Your questioning techniques can expose misconceptions, uncover gaps in learning, cause students to look deeper at a topic, encourage a higher depth of knowledge, and provide students with opportunities to make connections between many different topics.     Because questioning is a topic that has many different levels , I am going to HAVE to spread the techniques that I use over several different posts...Hopefully these posts will come quick and in successive order, however, due to my tremendously busy schedule and A.D.D. (undiagnosed and I which that I had even a slight case of hyperactivity as an adult) I am not sure if this will be the case... This first questioning techniques post will be about questions that require students to extend their responses .  As a math teacher, it is easy to fall into the habit of ...
Read more

Classroom Management Strategies

-
Image
picture credit Classroom management is an important aspect in teaching students.   For those who manage adults, being an effective people manager is important also.   Although the intended audience of this post is classroom teachers, many of these strategies can be used to manage adults, also. Here are some strategies that I have used in my classroom to manage student behavior: Stand at the classroom door greeting and talking to students as they enter into the classroom .   This can alert you to any student issues before the students enter your classroom.   If you notice that a student is having an issue, talk with them and try to get it resolved or diffuse it before it becomes a larger issue.   Constantly monitor and circulate around the room as a way to be proactive in your classroom management.   As mentioned earlier, becoming aware of an issue before it becomes an even bigger issue will cut down on management issues. Circulating aro...
Read more

Integer War

-
Image
                           Picture Source Here is a fun game that I have used in the past that is quick and gives students tons of practice adding integers.  This card game is an interactive way to reinforce the addition of integers .   It can also be modified to reinforce subtraction and multiplication.  The kids love it and I love watching them enjoy integers (for a change).  What I enjoy most of all is beating the student who has beaten all of the other students in the class and has an inflated ego.    Materials: Deck (or stack) of playing cards for each pair of students Rules: • Students should get into pairs. • Using a deck of playing cards, the students should divide the cards evenly among themselves. • The red cards are negative and the black cards are positive.   For example a red 10 is a negative ten. The face cards are all 10s.   • The play...
Read more