Teach Through Games: Math Magic Mixer

Age level: Upper Elementary, Middle School

Description: Originally designed as a travel game, this is a teaching game that I always keep in my teacher-bag now (along with a traditional deck of playing cards.) As pictured below, the Magic Mixer has one black dice in the center, then six dice surrounding it. To play the game as described in the instructions, the player rolls the Magic Mixer between his/her palms, then places it on a flat surface. Then the player adds up the numbers on the two black dice to find the “target sum.” Finally, the player uses the numbers on the other dice to create an equation (using addition, subtraction, multiplication and/or division) to reach the target sum. The game can also be played with multiple players trying to reach the target sum simultaneously, and the first player to reach it calling out “stop!”

Skills & Modifications: While I have played the game as directed, I have also found that it is incredibly easy to make simple modifications to meet the skill level of your student. For each skill listed below, there are descriptions of how to modify the rules for different skill levels.

• Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/Division – The game is designed to practice all of these skills. Each turn may require the learner to use the skills in different combinations. For learners who have not mastered all of these skills, I may give an instruction such as “add the green number and the orange number” before they roll the Magic Mixer. This type of instruction can be used for all types of number sentences, though you may have to wait until after the learner has rolled the Magic Mixer to give an instruction for subtraction or division.
• Long Division – This is also a great tool for practicing long division. For this activity, I will instruction the learner to divide the center black dice by one of the other colored dice. For example, I might say, “Divide by the yellow dice.” The learner then rolls the Magic Mixer. If the center dice says “50” and the yellow dice says “4,” then the learner will complete long division for 50 divided by 4.
• Comparing Numbers – This looks similar to the long division modification described above, except for this activity I will tell the learner to compare two outer dice, such as “compare the blue dice and the pink dice.” After the learner rolls the Magic Mixer, then he/she will write a number sentence using < or >.
• Simplifying Fractions – I have also used this with one student to practice simplifying fractions. The center dice is the denominator and then I choose a color and verbally instruct the learner to use it as the numerator, or I use a worksheet such as the one shown below. The learner fills in the numerator and denominator based on what he/she rolled on the Magic Mixer.

Pros: This is a great item if you have students that throw dice or if you’re in a location where dice easily roll under furniture. It’s also very easy to modify the game to meet the specific needs of your learner. This is also a great tool for learners who are motivated by sensory activities because they may be reinforced by rolling the Magic Mixer between their palms on each turn.

Cons: The plastic casing for the dice has not held up well between traveling in the bottom of my teacher-bag and being handled my multiple students. I have had to do some repair work with super glue.

Cost: $9.99 You should invest in this game if: you are looking for motivating ways to practice math skills, you are a parent searching for fun ways to practice math skills over vacations or breaks from school, or you are a classroom teacher looking for a math center activity.

ABLLS: R9, R10

VB-MAPP: N/A

Teach Through Toys: Move & Learn Math Activity Mats

Age level: Preschool, Early Elementary, Upper Elementary
Description: This set of “activity mats” contains large circular mats that can be spread around a room. Each mat has a number 0-9, and there are two of each number. The set also contains rules for ten different games you can play with the mats. The games practice a broad range of skills including multiplication skills, place value, and subtraction.
Modifications: All of the games in this set are designed for grades 1-4. However, it is quite simple to modify the activities for lower level learners. For example, you can have your students order the mats from smallest to largest, jump to a number that is more or less than the one the student is currently standing on, have your student find a number you have just named, or give your students objects to count out and place on each number (placing four cars on the number four.) For higher level learners, you can practice algebraic thinking by responding to questions such as “5 x __ = 20″ or fractions by responding to questions such as “Jump to the denominator for the fraction 3/5.”
For students working on interacting with peers, I will have the student give directions to a peer (such as “Jump to a number that is bigger than four.” and respond to directions from the peer. Depending on the student’s skill level, I will have them generate their own directions or I will provide directions for them to engage in the interaction.
Skills: Number Identification, Sequencing, Comparing Numbers, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Algebraic Thinking, Gross Motor Skills, Listening Skills, Manding
Pros: The biggest pro is that you can easily modify the materials for any skill level. I also love that you can practice such a wide range of math skills with a gross motor activity. This is great for your learners who struggle with maintaining attention, remaining seated during instruction, or holding a pencil. You can also play with more than one student, but easily differentiate it based on each student’s goals. This is especially great when working with siblings.
Cons: It is somewhat limiting to only have mats that go up to 9.
Cost: My set it discontinued. Should I buy this? However, Lakeshore Learning has a set that does have the numbers 1-20 with game cards. It is $40, which is a bit steep but you can create this game on your own. If it is a tool you think you will use frequently, it may be worth it to make the purchase because the mats are motivating for students, they are durable, and they have a non-slip surface on the bottom. Lakeshore also now has this product which has a variety of materials for gross motor activities involving math skills.
ABLLS: R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R13, R14, R17, R18, R20, R29
VB-MAPP: Listener Responding 8, Social Behavior 9, Social Behavior 10, Math 11, Math 12, Math 14, Math 15

Teach Through Books: Math Art

Age level: Early Elementary, Upper Elementary (specifically designed for grades 2, 3, and 4)
Description: This book is exactly what it sounds like: art projects centered on teaching and providing visual models of math concepts. It’s fantastic for visual learners. For each project, it includes materials needed, an introduction to the lesson, step-by-step instructions for completing the project with illustrations of each step, and an assessment. All necessary blackline masters are also included with the book.
Modifications: Individual modifications may be necessary dependent upon the project and your student’s skill level. Modifications may include hand-over-hand prompting, other physical prompts, the teacher/parent holding one item while the student manipulates it (for students with poor motor skills), or having the student imitate you as you complete each step of a sample. A major modification I’ve made with some projects included in the book is to break it up over several sessions and/or days. For example, there is an art project related to parallel and perpendicular lines that I worked on with one student for about ten minutes a day for two weeks until she completed it. It’s important to consider your student’s frustration tolerance when planning how to implement the project.
Skills: Time, Money, Addition, Fractions, Measurement, Symmetry, Place Value, Graphs, Percent, Multiplication, Division
Pros: This book includes projects that I have not seen in other places. The projects incorporated end with a permanent product that can be referred to again and again as the student learns new skills (especially because math skills build upon previously learned skills so frequently.) Moreover, for many students who may resistant to completing math work, art projects such as these increase motivation to learn the skill. Although this book is not designed for special education,  I can’t stress enough how wonderful it is to have meaningful, age-appropriate art activities to help our students with special needs master math skills.
Cons: Sometimes the projects can be tedious for students with delays in gross motor skills, attention, or sequencing skills. To account for this, projects must be broken down over several sessions and/or days as mentioned in the modifications section.
Cost: $20 Should I buy this? It is a good purchase, especially if you are a teacher who will be able to use it with multiple students.
ABLLS: R18, R20, R21, R22, R23, R24,
VB-MAPP: N/A