World Math Day--March 7, 2012

We really like World Math Day and the Mathletics website.  I shared about it a couple of years ago HERE.  It's designed for ages 4-18.  This year, they are even adding an adult age category!


You compete in 60 second rounds against either the computer or other players from around the world.  To me, that is one of the coolest parts.  During the day, you usually run into players from the States or Canada, but later in the day and evening, you start playing Australians and Chinese students!  It's run to learn geography and math at the same time.


I can also say that this is the one math site of which mija never grows tired!  The practice month and World Math Day are free.  The practice month starts today, February 1, but you can start anytime this month or only for the World Math Day.  I suggest using it for all its worth while it's free!  A couple of days after World Math Day, the site will return to being fee based.  They do, however, usually offer a nice discount to those who participated in World Math Day.


Something new they are also doing is World Spelling Day on March 6th.  We've never done that before, but all the information about it looks similar.  Practice sign up for that starts today, Feb. 1, as well.  We might try that this year, too.


Come join the fun!  Who knows?  Maybe we'll all end up playing together!

Calculation Nation Match Games

Found out about this from mathmammoth.com's email.


Calculation Nation is a new, free, math games website from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

It currently has 8 games, each of which you can play against the computer or against other players that are online at the same time as you. You will need to register first (free).

All of the games are educational and well made. They include:

Ker-Splash introduces students to algebra as they try to rack up points by combining like terms.

A ball goes down a series of ramps and grabs either x, y, or plain number tokens. You need to figure out the best route for the ball, and combine like terms. The more points students earn, the more control they will have over the game board, which consists of trap doors. My kids really liked this one. I liked it alright as well. It's not very difficult - more for prealgebra level than algebra 1.

Square Off — Drag a rectangle to cover as many spaceships as possible, calculating the perimeter.

Factor Dazzle -- Find all the factors of a number to earn points. Then, choose a number for which your opponent must find the factors. Create and locate fractions on a number line to tell your shovel where to dig. Earn points for the amount of dirt you collect and the number of jewels you discover.

Times Square — Exercise your skill with factors and multiples! Try to get four squares in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. I liked this one! I've played it before somewhere else as well.

Dig It —Create and locate fractions on a number line to tell your shovel where to dig. Earn points for the amount of dirt you collect and the number of jewels you discover.

Drop Zone — Make sums of 1, using different unlike fractions, and prevent your opponent from making sums of 1. I liked this one!

Slam Ball — Slam the ball into the sides of the game board, and use your knowledge of angles, symmetry, and reflections to choose the best path

Fraction Feud — In each joust, earn points by creating a larger (or smaller) fraction than your opponent.

World Math Day--March 3

I had Micki participate in this last year with my help.  This year she'll be all set.  It is sponsored by Mathletics which also has an ongoing website that you can join for a fee.  We were so impressed with it that we did join.

Here's the facts about World Math Day from their website.

"Students play at home and at school against other students around the world in live games of mental arithmetic. Each game lasts for 60 seconds and students can play up to 500 games, earning points for each correct answer. The students who answer the most questions appear in the Hall of Fame. Students cannot select their level but will move up as they progress."

"We welcome school aged children and homeschoolers to register and participate. It’s a great way to improve numeracy and mental arithmetic skills and have fun in the process.

..and it's absolutely free of charge!"

1. Each student is limited to a maximum of 500 games (each game lasts 60 seconds) during the 48 hour period. This will include 100 games in each of the 5 levels. Students cannot select their level but will move up as they progress. Students can continue to play games if they exceed 500 games but no more points will be added to their personal score, however, all points will be counted in the Mathometer.

2. Prizes will be awarded to the top students in each age category, ages 5-8, ages 9-13 and ages 14-18. Any student found to be participating in an incorrect age category will be disqualified.

3. Individual points are awarded as follows: Each game lasts 60 seconds and 1 point per correct answer is awarded. Example: Score 25 correct answers in one game to receive 25 points.

The site to visit to participate is World Math Day 2010.  After you participate, they will send you emails about signing up for the regular Mathletics page.  

Here are some of the cool aspects of membership. In both the World Math Day and normal Mathletics page, you student gets to play other students from all over the world.  What a way to blend some geography with your math!  In addition to live or computer practice in the same format as World Math Day, there are many other math games and actually curriculum elements and test for each level.  There is a new task master  that allows you to set certain curriculum activities that need to be accomplished before they are allowed to play any of the other games.  It has videos on everything from addition to quadradic equations.  It even has workbooks that can be printed up!  We have found it worth the cost we paid.  I think it was at a special price at $60 for the year.