Classroom Conversions
Let's get started with some middle school math challenges. There are a number of games that can be played in the class, not only for learning, but also to develop a sense of competition and the desire for improvement among the students.
Divide the class into three. Each team can be given a math theorem and asked to make a mini project about it. They can include the history of the theorem, some nice pictures, some interesting facts related to it and finally a few sums based on the theorem.
Divide the class into three teams. One member of each team comes to the board. The teacher asks a simple sum and the first one to complete, with the correct solution, earns 2 points for his team.
All the students are made to stand in their places. The teacher asks questions and the students can answer randomly. Whoever gives the correct solution first, can sit. At the end, the person who remains standing gives a treat.
While the main focus of the games must be on interactive learning through problem solving, the teacher must remember that the games must be really interesting to hold their attention.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/middle-school-math-games.html