FRIDAY FUN!

MANCALA

This week, we finished our first chapter in Science which was all about rocks and minerals. I thought it would be a fun reward for the students to learn a game that has been dated back to as far as 7AD in Ethiopia. The game Mancala, although played and named in various forms around the world, is a classic "count and capture" game. Students learned to play the game in many forms - on the Smartboard, computer, with a partner and a store purchased board, to a homemade version using an egg carton and marbles. Regardless of the way they played they all enjoyed learning a new strategy game with their friends. To play an online version of Mancala visit my web page and click on "Game of the Week" or CLICK HERE.

Logic Day

On Friday in my math classes, after going over our Problem of the Week, we had "Logic Day." Breaking up into groups, students worked alone or with a partner to solve different logical thinking puzzles and problems. The students rotated through various stations which all offered a new challenge. The stations were: 1. The First in Math site that allows the students to play an online version of the famous 24 card game. All students have a username and password so they can play this at home as well. 2. Cracker Barrel game. Students were given a wooden triangle with one missing peg. The object was to figure out how to only have one peg left after jumping over all other pegs - easier said than done! 3. Mind Teaser puzzles. This station was a favorite! It offered each student a puzzle with a clue. They had to figure out how to logically solve the puzzle. Some were harder than others - some students thought they were impossible - until that wonderful "AHA" moment happened! And finally, Station 4. Interstate 99 and Dodge Ball. Students worked together or alone to try to solve these tricky logic problems.

It was a fun, yet challenging, day in Math!!