Scavenger Hunt {Review Game}

I like LOVE to play games in my math class. The more interactive, the better. It's hard being a teacher and trying to compete for my student's attention when they've got things like Nintendo, facebook, sports, Playstation, etc. on their minds. So at the end of each chapter, we have a review right before their test. One of my favorite reviews is the "Scavenger Hunt."

Here's what you'll need:

• Index Cards to write the "clues" on
• 15 - 20 math questions covering concepts you want your kids to know for their test.
• A "Small, but fabulous prize" for everyone that finishes before class ends :)
• A class period (45 - 60 mins) to play

Instructions for Play:

• Number each card in the upper left-hand corner.
• Write a math problem on the first card.
• Take another card out of numerical sequence and write the answer in the upper right hand corner.
• Write another math problem on the card you just wrote the answer to the first problem on.
• Repeat until all cards are filled up.
• RECORD your numerical sequence (this way you can help students who have made a "wrong turn" along their hunting)
• Place cards in random places around the room to encourage students to "hunt"

What you will have is a numerical sequence that allows the kids to HAVE to work the problems out to find the next card. I always tell them "Don't think you can cheat because you are on card #2. The answer is NOT on card 2, or 3 or 1!"

• Pair up students in groups of 2 - 4 (depending on class size). Have each group start at least 3 cards apart from each other.
• No matter where students start, they will all be able to complete each card since the system allows for a "loop"
• Students will know when they have completed all the cards when they arrive back at the card they started with.
• I give the team that finishes first with the correct sequence an added bonus of 5 test points on their test average. We don't play this game often, but they LOVE it!

Here's some photos of my 6th graders during Friday's "Hunt":

Algebra Tiles: Order of Operations

I LOVE manipulatives. They have a place in the middle school classroom too.

When I first started teaching in 2004, I attended a conference for Marcy Cook. The way she taught us was the way I had envisioned teaching - hands-on, discovery-focused, learning. So I spent what little money I had on a few of the tiling task cards and started in my 8th grade classroom.... with students just six years younger than me.... It worked! They have become a vital part of my teaching techniques as they not only create a fun, learning atmosphere, but they can easily be worked into whatever curriculum you are using and promote higher level thinking. Here's what I do:

• Place students into groups of two or three and hand each group a tub of quiet tiles and a task card.

• Students can use each tile only ONE TIME. There will be no single digit or three digit numbers as solutions (except the last one is a single digit). There will be no "doubles" (11, 22, 33, etc.)
  
  

•  Make a competition or something fun out of it. I usually create a tally board on my white board and then at the end of the allotted time I give the team with the most points some sort of reward (candy, points, etc).

• There are 20 task cards ranging in difficulty and when you order, you recieve a fun tracking sheet, so I simply sign it for each completed card to make sure no group does the same one twice and to get a wide range of cards in there.

• HAVE FUN and challenge students to think critically if they get stuck.

Students will enjoy the challenge and it helps build teamwork and communication. Remember to always switch up your groups to avoid "cliques" and hurt feelings.