Maria's Math news - a FREE math newsletter for parents and teachers

May 2013

Subscribe below:

Latest from my blog
This is where you'll find the latest happenings, news, & ideas in math teaching

Math teaching videos
My videos at YouTube show you how to teach concepts.
How to help students with multiplication tables?

Online games for the four operations and order of operations

Many of these games practice mental math and logical thinking, and suit best grades 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Using all four operations   Order of operations

Practicing the four operations

Calculator Chaos
Most of the keys have fallen off the calculator but you have to make certain numbers using the keys that are left.
www.mathplayground.com/calculator_chaos.html

ArithmeTiles
Use the four operations and numbers on neighboring tiles to make target numbers.
www.primarygames.com/math/arithmetiles/index.htm

MathCar Racing
Keep ahead of the computer car by thinking logically, and practice any of the four operations at the same time.
www.funbrain.com/osa/index.html

The Crazy Counting Machine
Make the target number by doubling, halving, adding 7, or subtracting 3.
www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=crazyc

Math Scramble
Arrange the given numbers into the equation to make it true.
www.pompuzzle.com/Math_Scramble

Math Mammoth Add & Subtract 4 A self-teaching worktext for 3rd-4th grade that covers mental addition and subtraction strategies, adding and subtracting in columns, Roman numerals, the connection between addition and subtraction, solving word problems with bar models, order of operations, graphs, and money problems. Available as an affordable download ($5.00), and also as a printed copy. Learn more and see the free samples! See more topical Math Mammoth books

Number Target
Using playing cards, students try to make the target number using the given operations (+ - x /)
richgamesforlearning.com/wordpress/number-target

Number Pyramid
Arrange the bottom numbers of the pyramid in order to achieve the highest/lowest possible number on the top.
www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=PYRAMID3

Math Mahjong
A Mahjong game where you need to match tiles with the same value. It uses all four operations and has three levels.
www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/mixed_mahjong/mahjongMath_Level_1.html

Pop the Balloons
Pop the balloons in the order of their value. You need to use all four operations.
www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/numberballoons/BalloonPopMixed.htm

Math Mammoth The Four Operations (with a Touch of Algebra) A self-teaching worktext for 5th-6th grade that covers simple equations, expressions that involve a variable, the order of operations, long multiplication, long division, and graphing simple linear functions. Available as an affordable download ($6.00), and also as a printed copy. => Learn more and see the free samples! See more topical Math Mammoth books

Operation Snowman
You are shown a simple word problem, and you choose which of the four operations will solve it. The snowman gets built when you answer right.
www.harcourtschool.com/activity/operation_snowman

Mental Math Wikibook
Explains with examples lots of common mental math techniques and strategies, for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Mental_Math

Fill and Pour
Fill and pour liquid with two containers until you get the target amount. A logical thinking puzzle.
nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_273_g_2_t_4.html

Math Mountain
Climb to the top of the mountain by answering simple math questions faster than your opponent (computer or human).
www.pompuzzle.com/Math_Mountain

Balance Beam Activity
A virtual balance that provides balance puzzles where student is to find the weights of various figures, practicing algebraic thinking. Includes three levels.
mste.illinois.edu/users/pavel/java/balance

Mental Math Tricks
Some mental math shortcuts (tricks) for each of the four operations.
freestylemind.com/mental-math-tricks

The Abacus
History, instructions, articles about the age-old calculating aid.  
See also an interactive Java applet with a demo showing how counting and calculations are done. Nurtureminds.com sells workbooks that teach abacus.
www.ee.ryerson.ca:8080/~elf/abacus/index.html

Bitesize Revision—Numbers
Has summary-type fact sheets/flash movies and little interactive test for understanding on several subjects: subtraction, addition, division, multiplication, fractions, number system, percentages, etc.   Very nice and appealing graphics.
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/maths/number.shtml

Order of operations

Free worksheets for order of operations
Generate printable & customizable worksheets for order of operations. Choose from five operations and parentheses. You can choose the number range used, number of problems, and more.
www.homeschoolmath.net/worksheets/order_of_operations.php

Choose Math Operation
Choose the mathematical operation(s) so that the number sentence is true. Practice the role of zero and one in basic operations or operations with negative numbers. Helps develop number sense and logical thinking.
www.homeschoolmath.net/operation-game.php

My Dear Aunt Sally
A fun game you can play online for free, or purchase as an app. Choose whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, or rational numbers, and then which of the five operations to use. In the game, you need to place the given numbers into two expressions so that the operations make the two expressions have the same value.
www.mydearauntsally.com

Order of Operations Quiz
A 10-question online quiz that includes two different operations and possibly parenthesis in each question. You can also modify the quiz parameters yourself.
www.thatquiz.org/tq-1/?-j8f-la

The Order of Operations Millionaire
Answer multiple-choice questions that have to do with the order of operations, and win a million. Can be played alone or in two teams.
www.math-play.com/Order-of-Operations-Millionaire/order-of-operations-millionaire.html

Exploring Order of Operations (Object Interactive)
The program shows an expression, and you click on the correct operation (either +, —, ×, ÷ or exponent) to be done first. The program then solves that operation, and you click on the next operation to be performed, etc., until it is solved. Lastly the resource includes a game where you click on the falling blocks in the order that order of operations would dictate.
www.learnalberta.ca/content/mejhm/html/object_interactives/order_of_operations/use_it.html

Order of Operations Practice
A simple online quiz of 10 questions. Uses parenthesis and the four operations.
www.onlinemathlearning.com/order-of-operations-practice.html

Quick Calculate
Practice your arithmetic of all four operations plus order of operations. themathgames.com/arithmetic-games/addition-subtraction-multiplication-division/quick-calculate-game.php

Online math resources menu
	Addition and subtraction Place value Clock Money Measuring	Multiplication Division Math facts practice The four operations Factoring and number theory Geometry
	Fractions Decimals Percent Integers Exponents Statistics, Graphs, and Probability	Geometry Algebra Calculus Trigonometry Logic and proof
	Math in real world Problem solving & math projects For gifted children Math history	Math games and fun websites Sites with interactive math tutorials Math help & online tutoring Assessment, review, and test prep Online math curricula