The educational need I am going to address is how to use online math games to effectively get kids engaged in their learning. This will be done through the use of computers and a SMARTboard. I am going to utilize numerous educational math websites, as well as discover interactive games I can use on my SMARTboard to help students make worthwhile connections to their learning. My intent to use math games is to provide a fun and engaging way to learn about math. Most children that receive worksheets after worksheets are not going to retain the knowledge. With math games, they can have fun by connecting a variety of games to their own lives and not even realize they are learning in the process.
As often as possible, I will utilize math games into student learning. However, because my classroom only has three computers, I will use math games more often when I have parent helpers for math centers. That way, a group of students can use math games at once. Also, once I get my SMARTboard, I plan to use numerous quick activities to draw students into lessons. This will be used on a daily basis to impact student learning.
Here is some of the research I have gathered, as well as great interactive math sites.
Articles on why to use math games-
http://www.mathgamesandactivities.com/what-parents-of-successful-children-know-about-writing/
http://nrich.maths.org/2928
Links to math websites-
http://www.mec-math.org/math-at-home/math-websites
Interactive math sites-
http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html
http://www.mrnussbaum.com/
http://www.mathplayground.com/
My plan is to implement math centers often in the classroom (approximately 1x per week). I will know that I am successful over time with student achievement. If students are recalling knowledge from the units prior, I know that I have taught math concepts effectively and in a way they can recall. For example, some students had a difficult time with measuring angles. I found a great website to practice: http://www.mathplayground.com/measuringangles.html. After they practiced, many students had the aha moment every teacher looks for.
