The Amazing Equation Race

Title: The Amazing Equation Race
Source: http://www.education.com/activity/article/Equation_Race_fifth/
Grade Level: 5th

Activity:
What you need for materials:

• scrap paper
• pencils
• white paper
• black markers
• blue and red markers

What you do:

1. cut 3 sheets of paper into 12 strips. On each set of strips, write the following equations in black marker:

n +2

n+3

n+4

n+5

Cut 4 sheets of paper into 30 playing cards. On 7 of the cards, write the following:

Subtract 1

Subtract 3

Subtract 5

Subtract 7

Add 2

Add 4

Add 10

On each of the remaining playing cards, write a value for n (the variable), up to 10.

For example:

n=1

n=2 and so on.

2. When you are ready to begin the game, each player should get scrap paper, a pencil, and 4 equation strips. Shuffle the playing cards and put them face down on the table

3. Player one begins by picking the top card in the deck. If it is a variable, player 1 fills in the value for n on their first equation strip.

For example:

equation strip: n+2

player picks n=5

5+2=7

Player 1 now has 7 points

If a player pulls an ADD or SUBRACT card, they add of subtract the amount from their points.

The winner is the first player to reach 25 points.

Note: If a fifth grader's score drops below zero, you may have to help them add or subtract negative numbers.

What introductory information is necessary for children to have prior to starting this activity? Students will need to know how to add, subtract, and know the basics to solving an equation. They will have to learn to follow directions so the game is set-up properly and can be a fun way to learn a new math concept.

What grade level is appropriate for this activity and what MN standards are covered? This activity is intended for grade 5. "Represent real-world situations using equations and inequalities involving variables. Create real-world situations corresponding to equations and inequalities." Grade 5, Algebra, 5.2.3.2, Understand and interpret equations and inequalities involving variables and whole number, and use them to represent and solve real-world and mathematical problems.

How will you engage students with different learning styles?

Visual- the students will be able to see the problem written out and the scrap paper will have different colors, which helps visual learners focus better.

Verbal- they will be in groups playing this equation game, so they will be allowed to talk if they have a question.

Physical- there will be movement along with lots of hands-on. Students are allowed to relax and have fun as long as they are learning and not being to disruptive to others.

Logical- they will need to write out the equation on another sheet of paper and find the answer. Some problems can be done mentally while others will have to figured by paper and pencil.

Social- this game is meant for talking the problem over and working and playing with groups or as a class. It's a competition to see who can get to 25 first. The luck of the draw!

Solitude- for those who don't like working in groups or likes to study and work on their own can play this by themselves but just not keep score.

How does this activity connect to the real world for students? In the real-world equations usually aren't written out, but are done by using mental math without even realizing you set up an equation in you head and solved it. Example: I have $5 saved for this new toy and it costs $10, how much more do I need to save? 5+n=10. We as adults use this daily but don't think of it as an equation or word problem. This will also help them with addition and subtraction especially when they learn how to figure out equations when there is a negative number.

Why is this activity with its concepts important for student learning? It will help them with their basic equation problems and make them more comfortable using equations when solving a problem. They will feel more confident and not so threatened about learning new concepts. It is used a lot in math classes throughout school so having it become second nature will ease the tension when they are seen on a test or in another math class.

What are your comments on this activity? Would you use it in your classroom? I like this project and think it's a game that can be played at home with family and friends as a study material. It's a game that can be played a couple of different ways and used again when other new concepts are learned, like using negative variables. This extra step wouldn't take much time to set-up, plus it is a review of what was taught earlier. I think a set of these cards need to made for school and home. This way you can assign homework and they can do it at home just as easily as they can do it at school. Most parents should be able to play this game with their children for extra help at home.