Number Skills

What skills are needed for mastery of number operations? Assuming that addition and subtraction are under control at the middle school level, I have emphasized here multiplication, factoring, and work with fractions, percentages, and estimation. Assuming also that you have a quantity of standard drill sheets on hand, I have selected exercises in a puzzle or game format, usually interactive. The hope is that these innovative formats will engage your students in needed practice.

---

Multiplication Matho http://www.aplusmath.com/games/matho/MultMatho.html

Practice on multiplication facts! Students must select the correct response from choices set out in a grid, all the while competing against the clock. Five correct answers in a row spell Matho! MSP full record

Math Cats http://www.mathcats.com

Among the many interactive math activities on this site are opportunities to work on multiplication and fractions. For example, go to Broken Calculator, Egyptian Fractions, Interactive Multiplication Table and Multiply It. MSP full record

The Maths File Game Show http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/mathsfile/index.shtml

In this collection are four interactive number games that drill concepts of number and operation. Students can practice such skills as rounding off numbers to significant figures, matching fractions with equivalent decimals or percentages, and finding factors and multiples. Three levels of difficulty are available for each game. MSP full record

Fantastic Four Activity http://nsdl.exploratorium.edu/nsdl/showRecord.do?id=10896

Students are given four randomly selected numbers and challenged to use as many as possible in creating an equation that equals a fifth number. The game can be played using either a computer or a deck of cards. Particularly helpful are the suggestions for leading the game, including hints for students. All arithmetic operations enter here as well as powers and factorials. MSP full record

The Factor Game http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/mathline/lessonplans/msmp/factor/factor_procedure.shtm

Two students use a game board with the numbers 1 to 30. One student circles a number; the other circles all its factors. Play continues until no more numbers can be circled. Each student’s score is the sum of his or her circled numbers. A complete lesson plan guides the analysis of the game, resulting in students’ identifying the properties of prime, composite, abundant, deficient, and perfect numbers — and honing their winning strategies! MSP full record

Fraction Four http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/fgame/index.html

A great way to practice fraction, decimal, and percentage skills! This two-player game allows players to choose which type of fraction-related problem they want to solve and at what level of difficulty. MSP full record

Quick Take on … Action with Fractions http://msteacher.org/epubs/math/QuickTakes/Fractions.aspx

Even students in the higher middle school grades may lack a firm grasp of fractions. This one-pager features online resources that offer visually compelling, hands-on interaction with these numbers. MSP full record

Estimator Four http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/egame/index.html

In this online game, two players practice addition, multiplication, and percentage skills as they estimate answers to calculation problems. Players choose the level of difficulty, the time allowed for solving each problem, and which skill to practice. These calculations will challenge middle school students at all grade levels! MSP full record

---

 Back to top

Copyright October 2007 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.