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 Games: Shopping List

Age Level: Preschool, Early elementary, and upper elementary
Description: A memory game designed for 3-7 year olds, the goal of this game is to be the first to fill your grocery cart with the items from your grocery list. I use this game with older students as well, as it is easy to modify for a variety of skills.
Modifications: This game is a basic memory game, but I make adjustments frequently to teach students about shopping, categorizing grocery items, and spending money. For example, I frequently assign dollar amounts to each item and have the students pay for each item (using pretend or real money) before placing it in their cart. I can make minor modifications to that level of play based on the student’s current skill level with money such as: calculating change owed, adding the dollar amounts of multiple items, or estimating the total cost of your shopping list for that day. I also may use the pictures to help students practice what items might be close together in the grocery store. Finally, I will have older, higher functioning students look at their grocery list and prioritize their expenditures. This game is also great for teaching kids to give directions or explanations of how to play the game. The steps are clear and there are natural visual prompts to guide them through the steps.
Skills: Money, Addition, Subtraction, Class, Describing Actions
Pros: The game is very easy to use and typically motivating for elementary-aged students. It is incredibly easy to modify based on your student’s skill level. The company who makes the game (Orchard Toys) also has expansion kits so you can increase the number of items available and the number of shopping lists. (The game comes with four chopping lists and a total of 32 items available for purchase.)
Cons: The pictures aren’t always clear, which can be a challenge for some of my students who already display difficulty labeling items. Other than that, there aren’t any major cons to this game. I think it’s a great, flexible game for teaching a variety of skills related to real-world math.
Cost: $14.00, but frequently much cheaper on Amazon.com. Should I buy this? Not necessarily. The price is good and the materials are high quality (wipe-down surfaces and sturdy cards/shopping lists.) This may be a game you want to make on your own, but it should be noted that if it’s a game you think you’ll use a lot, it’s definitely worth the price.
ABLLS:
VB-MAPP: Mand 14, VP-MTS 14, Linguistic Structure 14,

Teach Through Books: Learn to Count

Age Level: Preschool, Early Elementary
Description: This book comes with number and animal magnets that can be placed on different pages to complete math-related tasks.
Modifications: The book is designed so that the tasks get more difficult as you go. When I do use this with a student, I typically only do one page, so you can choose the page that best suits your student’s needs.
Skills: Counting, finding missing numbers, addition, subtraction, using math symbols
Pros: Great for students who love interactive books or enjoy magnets. It’s a good activity to bring out once in a while to help with generalization or reteaching. The magnets are great. I use them for multiple other activities without the book, and some of my students like to play with the magnets by themselves.
Cons: It’s not a book you can use over and over with the same student, since the page is exactly the same each time.
Cost: $18.00 (but frequently much cheaper on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble) Should I buy this? I do like this book. If you have a student who particularly enjoys magnets, interactive books, or math-related activities this will be a great purchase. As mentioned in the pros section, the magnets can be used for multiple other activities, including counting, comparing numbers, and sorting animals. However, the activities created in the books are relatively easy to reproduce.
ABLLS: R1, R3, R5, R6, R8, R9
VB-MAPP: VP-MTS 6M, VP-MTS 7M, Math 11M, Math 12M