CyberWorld

Math is a subject which I have always been disinterested in. The reason might be 'grapes are sour' or because they took too much time and the outcome was usually unconvincing (read 'disgusting' cause they were always wrong!). Whatever be the reason, I can assure you that in our times, we never had interesting middle school math games and the monotony of solving long (I mean LOOONG!) and complicated (here too, I mean TOOO COMPLICATED!) equations, which did not have any meaning, was highly unwelcome. Let's try and make some efforts so that your and my kids do not undergo the same 'traumatic' phase and enjoy doing mathematics instead.

Classroom Conversions
Lets get started with some middle school math challenges. There are a number of games that can be played in the class, not only for learning, but also to develop a sense of competition and the desire for improvement among the students.

1. Divide the class into three. Each team can be given a math theorem and asked to make a mini project on it. They can include the history of the theorem, some nice pictures, some interesting facts related to it and finally a few sums based on the theorem.
2. Divide the class into three teams. One member of each team comes to the board. The teacher asks a simple sum and the first one to complete, with the correct solution, earns 2 points for his team.
3. All the students are made to stand in their places. The teacher asks questions and the students can answer randomly. Whoever gives the correct solution first, can sit. At the end, the person who remains standing gives a treat.

While the main focus of the games must be on interactive learning through problem solving, the teacher must remember that kids are not fools and the games must be really interesting to hold their attention. More on elementary math games.

Indoor Indices
Your daughter spends her evening in the kitchen with you, instead of completing her homework. You wonder if it's 'mommy love' or is it 'algebra allergy'. Well, get her to bake a batch of binomials (Alliteration intended!). Get all the ingredients and ask her to calculate the quantity and therefore the ratio. You can ask her to calculate the price of each ingredient and in turn, the cost of making the cookies. Once you are done with it, get started with the baking. Find out if she wants to sell some of them and she can keep the profit (if she makes any) in case all her calculations are correct. Ask her to make a rough draft and get going. She learns to earn her pocket money and your job is done! Read more on fun indoor games for groups.

Online Ordinates
There are innumerable online sites which have again, innumerable middle school math activities, games and puzzles. Games which are highly popular are listed below.

• Comets
• Mancala
• Five dollar bill scrambler
• Cows and bulls
• Bread winner

Log on to one of them and see your son glued to the computer like a bee to its honeycomb. Though a child must be encouraged to socialize instead of living in seclusion, there must be no compromise when it comes to learning. Learn more on free online games for kids.

External Equations
The knowledge of basic mathematics is essential for using money properly. If a child is given an opportunity, he would be amused to know the relevance of math in his day-to-day activities. Tell him to calculate the expenses of a fun night out. First, he needs to make a list of all the activities he wants to enjoy during his fun evening. Then, he needs to find out the prices. Starting from movie ticket expenses and popcorn to joyrides and traveling, he has to find out all expenses including the sales tax. Check the list and hand him over the exact amount. Your child would not only learn calculations, but also the importance of calculated expenditure. However, play safe as a revolution at home is not very pleasing after all. More on solving math word problems.

A competitive atmosphere converts an otherwise mundane afternoon into a live ground full of activities. Math riddles and puzzles, memory builders and other games can activate the minds of the little geniuses in no time. The numbers they dread the most can open a whole new world of surprises for them and believe me, kids love surprises. Kudos to the makers of these exciting middle school math games!