| In every math class, there are those students | | | | practice game or ask them to answer questions |
| who just don't seem to be able to grasp the | | | | orally, they might be too embarrassed to try |
| concepts. Some of them outright hate math. | | | | their best. On the computer, however, these |
| How can these students be reached? One | | | | students are not faced with their peers. They |
| technique that can work to motivate students | | | | can progress through the math games at their |
| is with interactive math games that they play | | | | own level, gaining valuable practice each |
| at their own pace. | | | | day. |
| | | | |
| Math games do not replace the need for a | | | | As you are shopping for math games, you need |
| teacher. There is nothing that educational | | | | to realize that there is a wide range of |
| software can teach in math that can be taught | | | | products available. You will still be able to |
| without a teacher. Math is one of those | | | | find traditional math games. These are the |
| subjects that really requires an instructor. | | | | games where students practice their basic |
| However, math games can be used to reinforce | | | | facts with arcade-like programming. But, math |
| and reward in the math classroom. | | | | games are no longer only the arcade-style |
| | | | games you may remember. You can find software |
| Imagine if you are teaching junior high math | | | | that contains your students' favorite cartoon |
| and realize that some of your students do not | | | | or movie characters. As they move through the |
| know how to add and subtract. If you have to | | | | levels they must answer math questions to |
| take valuable class time to teach these basic | | | | proceed. Tracking student's progress and the |
| elementary math skills, the rest of your | | | | cability to personalize lessons to the |
| students will suffer. However, if this | | | | student's ability are features of some math |
| student group is not able to do simple | | | | game software. Students advance levels once |
| addition or subtraction, they are going to | | | | they've reached competency on skills being |
| struggle all year. One way to encourage them | | | | worked on. Some math games have features that |
| to practice in a fun, competitive way without | | | | encourage and build analytical skills, |
| detracting from the overall class is to allow | | | | problem approach, logic and systematic |
| them to play math games. Maybe time can be | | | | thinking. While your students may not realize |
| set aside regularly and designated as free | | | | this is math, you know that these thinking |
| time. Students who need to reinforce skills | | | | skills are essential to finding success in |
| can get extra math practice and students | | | | the subject. You can even purchase mystery |
| already at grade level can start homework or | | | | programs where the students act as detectives |
| be challenged at a higher level. Teachers can | | | | solving "math mysteries." |
| set up the math games so that they focus on | | | | |
| areas that need reinforcement. You can make | | | | Whatever program you decide to use in your |
| random groups and rotate them so all of your | | | | math classroom, be sure to set aside time |
| students get a chance to play during the | | | | when the students can play math games. |
| week. This way, certain students are not | | | | Interactive math games are one way to |
| identified and all students receive important | | | | introduce and reinforce math concepts with an |
| practice. | | | | entertaining medium. With math games, math |
| | | | can become a little bit more fun for |
| One benefit of math games that is often | | | | everyone. |
| overlooked is the fact that the students are | | | | |
| working independently. Sometimes those | | | | Math games can make developing math skills |
| students who struggle in subjects, especially | | | | fun & games! Check out our wide selection at |
| math, are embarrassed about their | | | | All Educational Software. |
| difficulties. If you were to play a group | | | | |