Do you have a student or two who seem to always finish their work early? Here are a few math activities you can give your early finishers to promote deeper understanding while challenging them and keeping their interest.
Games
Games are fun and engaging and can be used to practice math facts and processes they are learning in class. However, the Math Card Games book has many more games than what is used in the curriculum. You can find a new game to review skills they are currently learning, or you can find a game that will introduce them to a new skill. You can make it even easier on yourself by subscribing to math card game instructions through Vimeo. Then, your student can learn how to play a game on their own!
Peer Tutoring
Encourage your strong learners to work with students who are struggling. Sometimes, struggling learners learn better from their peers. In addition, the strong learner will develop teaching skills and deepen their understanding as they present the concept to another.
Exploration of Numbers
If you have any of the RightStart Math Tutoring books, such as Number Sense and Multiplication and Division Book 1, you will find engaging exploratory lessons. These lessons are interesting and fun and will challenge your students to think of math differently. If you do not have those books, you can find similar activities here.
Play with Probability
Let your student play around with probability by using dice. Have them look for four specific sums: 3, 7, 11, and 12. Have them roll two dice, calculate the sum, and fill in the form below. The questions on this form require deeper thinking, enhancing the student’s learning experience.
Research a Mathematician
Encourage your student to explore the lives of influential mathematicians, such as Archimedes, Euclid, Fibonacci, Pascal, Ptolemy, or Pythagoras. As your students understand the history and contributions of these mathematicians, they may be inspired to learn more about their contributions and how those discoveries influence math today.
These math activities are fun ways to engage and challenge your early finishers with little to no extra work for you.
If you would like to learn more about RightStart Math, please contact us.
