Volume 2

April 2010

Le t’ s
M a ke
M at h
F un

Tease Their Brain

with Brain Teasers

Turn Your Classroom

into a Game Show

Do Your Kids
Sudoku?

Free Math Printables

Brain Teaser Cards
Board Games and
Sudoku
Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]-board
[Link]
 The Let’s Make Math Fun MAGAZINE

is brought to you by

Making Math More Fun at [Link]

and

Math Board Games at [Link]

Copyright © 2010 Teresa Evans.

All rights reserved.

Permission is given for the making of copies for use

in the home or classroom of the subscriber only.

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 In thIs edItIon
The Game Show Game $$$$$$$.$$$$$$$$$$$$$.$.$$.. Page 4

Teaser Their Brains $$$$.$$..$$$$$$.$$..$$$$$$.$.$.$$. Page 5

Do Your Kids Sudoku? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...$$$$.. Page 6

Useful Links $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.$$$..$$$.$$$$ Page 7

Favorite Card Game$$$$$$$$$$$$$..$$$$$$$$$..$...$$ Page 7

Environmental Math Ideas $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.$.$$.$$. Page 7

Kids Sudoku Puzzles Printables $$$$$$$.$$$$$$$..$$.$$...$ Page 9

Brain Teaser Cards $$$$$$$$$$$$.$.$$$$$$$$.....$.$..$ Page 11

Printable Board Games $$$$$$$$$$$.$$$$$$$$$$$$$.. Page 14

Welcome to another edition of the Let’s Make Math Fun Magazine.

There are so many different ways to get kids practicing math skills. Some of them are
fun and some definitely aren’t. In this edition we look at some of my favorite ways to
liven up math practice and make it entertaining, interesting and FUN!

In my classroom I have found that competitions can be a great way to motivate kids to
practice skills. One format that I like to use is the ‘Game Show’ format. Just divide the
kids into teams, put on a funny game show host persona and you’re ready to go!

I also use Brain Teasers and puzzles all of the time. Kids love the challenge and it helps
them to develop thinking skills and problem solving skills too.

Sudoku puzzles are also great for teaching kids strategic thinking but you need to make
sure that they are kid friendly. Most Sudoku puzzles are far too hard for kids to do and
will only frustrate them. This month I have some kid friendly puzzles for you.

Hope you and the kids have fun with this month’s ideas and free printables.

Kind regards,
Teresa

Cover Photo Info [2009] Ron Rutgers Image from [Link]

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 The game show game
This one is mainly for teachers to use in Practice comparing values – Each
the classroom but parents could easily contestant draws a card and the one
adapt it for use with two children instead with the highest value scores one point.
of a whole class. Cards could have 2 or 3 digit numbers
or even larger numbers. Decimals
If you are looking for an interesting way numbers or fractions could also be
to reinforce a particular calculation skill, compared.
consider turning your classroom into a
game show stage. Practice addition – Each contestant
draws two cards and adds the two
Break the class into 4 or 5 groups for 4 numbers. The contestant with the
or 5 rounds. Every student participates largest answer wins the round. Practice
in one round. The winner of each round adding single digit numbers or numbers
goes into the final round and wins a with 2, 3, 4 or more digits.
prize. This can be played in one day or
held over a week with one round each Practice Subtraction – Each
day. contestant draws two cards and then
calculates the difference between the
So how does math come into this? two numbers.
Simple – in each round the winner is the
one who answers the most questions Practice Multiplication – Each
correctly or the one who draws the contestant draws two cards and then
cards to give the largest answer. multiplies the two numbers. To practice
skills like multiplying one digit by 3 or 4
If you want to ask questions you can set digits use two sets of cards – one with
up a panel style desk where answers single digit numbers and one with 3 or 4
are written on card or paper and then digit numbers.
help up. The first one to hold up the
correct answer scores a point. Practice calculations with fractions –
Each contestant draws a card with a
The other method is the ‘draw cards’ calculation on it, for example 1/9 of 54,
method. For example, to practice 2/5 of 45.
addition, students simply draw 2 cards
from a bag. The numbers on the cards Practice percentage calculations -
are then added. The person with the Each contestant draws a card with a
highest answer is the winner. The whole percentage and number on it, for
class can be involved in calculating example 60% of 80 or 25% of 64.
each contestant’s answer.
To get kids even more enthusiastic, you
What skills can you practice with a can act like your favorite game show
Game Show? The answer – almost host or choose one of the aspiring
anything! In fact you could have a actors in the class to be the host. Hope
different game show every week! Here you have fun with this one.
are a few ideas to get you started.

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 Tease TheIr BraIns
I am a big ‘Brain Teaser’ fan. I have I also find it works really well to let
been using Brain Teasers in my children pair up to solve Brain Teasers. I
classroom for many years. I love giving will often introduce three Brain Teasers
kids little problems to solve that involve and then let children sit in pairs and work
using math skills. It is a great way to get together to solve them. There is some
kids looking at numbers and other math great peer tutoring that goes on when
concepts in a different way and applying this happens.
math skills to problems.
I have included a set of 5 printable Brain
It is also a great way to teach problem Teaser cards for you on page 11.
solving skills. Sometimes some of the
best teaching comes from letting kids If you want to ‘tease their brains’ even
share their solutions and their method for more, you’ll find loads of great ideas in
solving the problem. Over and over these books too.
again I have seen kids think of a
completely different strategy to use
instead of the rather obvious one that I
thought should be used.

I also love seeing the enthusiasm when

they are presented with a ‘Brain Teaser’.
For some reason Brain Teasers are
much more interesting than a problem or
math drills. Kids seem to love the
challenge and also love to compete with
others to see if they can be the first to 5-Minute Math
solve the Brain Teaser. Problem of the Day
by
Over the years, I have used Brain by Martin Lee, Marcia K. Miller
Teasers in many different ways. One
year I had a weekly competition with one
Brain Teaser put up at the start of the
week. The children would work out the
answer and write it on a piece of paper
along with their name. This entry would
then go into the entry box.

At the end of the week we would work

out the answer together and then draw
out an entry. The first entry drawn out Math Puzzles and Math Puzzles and
with the correct answer on it was the Brainteasers Brainteasers
winner of the competition. We even Grades 3-5 Grades 6-8
ended up with adults and kids from other by
classes wanting to enter. Terry Stickels

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 Do Your KIds Sudoku?
Many of you will already know that I am They need something much simpler and
a big Sudoku fan. easier when they are starting out.

I love using Sudoku puzzles with kids It’s a good idea to teach them the basics
because there are so many benefits to with simple 4x4 puzzles. Then move
be gained by playing around with onto 6x6 puzzles and then go to the
Sudoku puzzles. Although Sudoku is regular 9x9 puzzles – easier ones that
only loosely related to math, I still think of won’t frustrate them.
it as a great math puzzle because it is a
fantastic resource for teaching kids This month I have 2 pages of Sudoku
problem solving. puzzles for you. My friend, Brooke
Watson, has created them for you.
There are also many other benefits.
Kids have lots to gain by using these At Brooke’s new site
puzzles. [Link] she has
loads of Sudoku puzzles for kids
Solving Sudoku puzzles teaches kids: including the novelty ‘Word Sudoku’
Logical Thinking Skills type. She is giving away more free
Concentration Skills puzzles from her site and also has
and Reasoning Skills created 2 books loaded up with kid
friendly Sudoku and the ‘Word Sudoku’
And at the same time they also develop puzzles.
Patience
Creativity Make sure you check out Brooke’s site.
and Confidence.
[Link]
I’ve been using Sudoku with kids for
some time now and I’ve seen many kids
come to me with a big cheesy grin after
they enter the final number into a
Sudoku puzzle. It is a satisfying and
rewarding feeling!

But please don’t go and grab the nearest

newspaper or magazine and put an adult
Sudoku puzzle in front of the kids.

Not all Sudoku puzzles are suitable for

children. Most of them are far too hard Click here for your 2 free pages of
and kids will simply find them frustrating. Sudoku puzzles from Brooke.

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 USEFUL LInks ENVIRONMENTAL
There are loads of great math games MATH IDEAS
online, but often you need loads and
loads of time to find them. Here’s some What’s in a tree?
that might be just what you need!
Take one simple tree and you have
Get Interactive loads and loads of ways to get kids
All kinds of math – you can even create measuring, counting and estimating.
your own games!
[Link] Here are a few simple questions that
you can pose to get kids thinking and
I could explore this one all day! applying their math skills and problem
[Link] solving skills.
html
Some of these are questions that kids
My favorite multiplication game! might not be able to find an exact
[Link] answer to, but the answer isn’t
important. What is important is the
planning and processes that they use.

What is the circumference of the tree

trunk?
Please Note that due to the ever changing nature of the
internet, I cannot guarantee the content of these sites. What is the circumference of the
Remember, it is always advisable to supervise children while tree’s canopy?
online.

How could you calculate the height of

FavorIte Card Game the tree without climbing the tree or
Addition Quick Draw using ladders?
Use a deck of cards with colored cards
removed. A game for 2 players How could you calculate the number
Getting Ready of leaves on the tree without
Deal out all of the cards to the two counting each one individually?
players.
Play the Game How many children would need to
One player calls, ‘Draw’ and both stand on top of each other to reach
players turn over their top card and the height of the tree?
place it face up in the center.
The players add the two numbers that
are showing and the first player to say
the total out loud wins the two cards.
After all cards have been used, the
players count the number of cards that
they have won. The winner is the
person who has the most cards.

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 ThIs Month’s Free PrIntableS

include

KID FRIENDLY SUDOKU

These 4x4’s, 6x6’s and 9x9’s are provided by Brooke Watson
from KIDS SUDOKU PUZZLES .

BRIAN TEASER CARDS

5 Brain Teaser Cards and the Answers
(So you don’t have to tease your brain too!)

BUILD + AND -
BOARD GAME

BUILD X AND ÷
BOARD GAME

More Printable Math Games are available from

[Link]

and

[Link]

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 Kids Sudoku Puzzles
Write a number from 1 - 4 in each square so that every row, column and mini grid contains the
numbers from 1 – 4.

3 2
2
4 1
1 3 4 3 1
1
2 3
Write a number from 1 - 6 in each square so that every row, column and
mini grid contains the numbers from 1 – 6.

3 4 1
1 2 3 5 4
3 4 2 2 1 3 6
4 1 5 4 6 3 5
4 1 3 6 2 6 2 1 3
5 6 3 1 4 6 2 5
5 2 3
3 2 1 5
More Sudoku Puzzles available at [Link]

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 KIDS SUDOKU PUZZLES
Write a number from 1 - 9 in each square so that every row, column and mini grid contains the
numbers from 1 – 9.

1 9 2
2 5 6 1 7 8 9 3
7 3 9 6 8 1 5 4
1 3 2 4 5
5 6 3 9 4 1 7 8 2
4 2 8 7 6 3 1 9
6 7 2 4 9 3 1
8 4 3 5 6 9 2
5 1 7 8

8 3 9 4
3 6 4 7 9 1 8 5
2 9 6 1 3
5 9 6 2 8 4
8 3 7 9 4 6 5 2
2 6 7 3 8 1 9
4 2 1 8 5 6
6 7 8 2 3 5 4 9
5 3 6 9 7 2 8
More Sudoku Puzzles available at [Link]

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 BraIN TEASER Cards

FINISH THE PATTERN

Complete the pattern in each row.

a. 3, 7, 15, 31, 63, ____

b. 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, ____

c. 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, ____

IN A CIRCLE

A number of children have been asked to stand in a

circle, with even spaces between them.

If the 3rd child and the 9th child are directly opposite
each other, how many children are in the circle?

Hint: Draw a diagram.

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 BOOK FRIENDS

Three friends have been reading lots of books.

Together they have read a total of 21 books.

Jason has read twice as many as Pete but only

half of the number read by Belle.

How many have each of them read?

PAINTED ROOM
Josh is painting each wall in his room a different color.
He has 4 walls to paint.

There are 6 different colors for him to choose from –

red, white, blue, orange, yellow, green.

How many different color combinations could he

choose for the walls of his room?

e.g. one combination would be red, white, blue, orange

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 EQUATIONS

Use the symbols +, –, x or ÷ and the numbers

to do what is asked.
An example is given to show you what to do.
EXAMPLE: Make five twos equal forty-four.
Answer: 22 x 2 + 2 – 2 = 44

a. Make five twos equal thirty.

b. Make six threes equal ninety.

BRAIN TEASER ANSWERS

Finish the Pattern
a. 127 (double the number and add 1)
b. 55 (add the 2 preceding numbers)
c. 22 (add 1 to 1st number then add 4 to next number)

In a Circle – Answer 12 children

Book Friends – Jason 6 books, Pete 3 books, Belle 12 books

Painted Room – 15 combinations

Equations – a. 2x2x2+22=30 b. 33x3-3-3-3=90

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]

 BUILD + and -

= 4 8 5 2 +
9 1
BUILD + And -
START A game for 2-4 players START
Getting Ready
Place the cards beside the
board.
How to Play

3 7 = 6
1. Each player puts a marker
on one of the Start Squares.

2. Players take turns to throw

the dice and move that many
spaces in any direction

- 2
staying on the purple
squares.

3. When a player lands on a

square, the player collects a
card with the same number or

1 0
symbol on it.

4. Players continue to move

around the board on their
turn, going clockwise or
anticlockwise, taking a card to

- + 3 -
match the square they
land on.

5. The winner is the first

player who can create a true
equation with their cards.

4 7
e.g.
3 + 9 = 1 2
START START
1 8 - 6 = 1 2

= 6 9 + 8 5
Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]
 BUILD X and ÷

= 4 8 5 2 X
9 1
BUILD X And ÷
START A game for 2-4 players START
Getting Ready
Place the cards beside the
board.
How to Play

3 7 = 6
1. Each player puts a marker
on one of the Start Squares.

2. Players take turns to throw

the dice and move that many
spaces in any direction

÷ 2
staying on the yellow
squares.

3. When a player lands on a

square, the player collects a
card with the same number or

1 0
symbol on it.

4. Players continue to move

around the board on their
turn, going clockwise or
anticlockwise, taking a card to

÷ X 3 5
match the square they
land on.

5. The winner is the first

player who can create a true
equation with their cards.

4 ÷
e.g.
3 X 9 = 2 7
START START
4 8 ÷ 6 = 8

= 7 9 X 8 6
Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]
 Cards for Board Games

1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5
6 6 6 6 6 6
7 7 7 7 7 7
8 8 8 8 8 8
Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]
 9 9 9 9 9 9
0 0 0 0 0 0
= = = = = =
+ + + + + +
- - - - - -
x x x x x x
÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷

Let’s Make Math Fun [Link] [Link]