Recently I wrote a post for Hands On As We Grow entitled Simple Number Line Car Race to Teach Mathabout a fun activity I used with one of my daughters to reinforce the concepts of addition and subtraction.
I enjoy doing simple at-home learning activitieswith my daughters that don’t require worksheets; however, worksheets can serve a purpose.
Some worksheets seem tedious and boring. Others include interesting information and colorful pictures.
One of my daughters enjoyed doing the activity shown above when she completed addition and subtraction worksheets.
Below are two additional techniques I have used with my daughters to make math worksheets more fun.
Turn Worksheets into a Scavenger Hunt
One of my daughters used to get very overwhelmed with math worksheets. I could tell she was frustrated and the worksheets took much longer for her to complete than necessary. To remedy this situation (while still having her do the worksheets), I turned the worksheets into a timed scavenger hunt.
I simply cut the worksheets into small sections, wrote “clues” to where the next section of the worksheet could be found, and hid the sections around the house. After she completed a section of problems, she would read the clue, and then race to the next small section of problems.
I set a stop watch to record how long it took her to complete the entire scavenger hunt (and worksheet). She definitely finished the worksheets much quicker, and she no longer dreaded having to complete them. Turning the worksheets into a scavenger hunt became a fun game.
Use Dry Erase Boards
My daughters enjoy writing on dry erase boards, so I have copied math problems from worksheets on to boards for them to complete. Again, having just a few problems at a time seems to be less overwhelming than an entire worksheet filled with problems. The dry erase board also offers more space than the worksheets often provide to solve equations.
Once they solve the problems, I correct them on the board. If they get the answer wrong, they redo the problem on the board. If they get the answer correct, they write the answer only on to the worksheet. I have them do this step since we homeschool, and I keep all of their finished worksheets as proof they are actually doing schoolwork, progressing in their studies, and learning.
It may seem silly that using a dry erase board instead of a sheet of paper yields better results since they are doing all of the same problems, but this worked well with my daughters when they were younger.
What are your thoughts about worksheets?
FAQs
A school worksheet should include clear instructions, engaging graphics and plenty of space for students to write their answers. It should use the same language and concepts you've been covering in class, so try to limit unfamiliar ideas. Make it easy to edit in case you need to make changes.
How to make math lessons more engaging? ›
How to boost student engagement in math
- Use games and puzzles. ...
- Use real-world examples. ...
- Make it relevant to students' lives. ...
- Use a variety of teaching methods. ...
- Personalizing the learning experience for every student. ...
- Integrating technology into math classrooms.
A school worksheet should include clear instructions, engaging graphics and plenty of space for students to write their answers. It should use the same language and concepts you've been covering in class, so try to limit unfamiliar ideas. Make it easy to edit in case you need to make changes.
How to make mathematics learning joyful? ›
Here are some highly effective activities that not only make math fun but also enhance conceptual understanding:
- Make It Hands-on.
- Real Life Math.
- Magic Motivators.
- Art and Music.
- Math Apps.
- Mr. Potato Head, Barbie Dolls, and Blocks.
- Don't Talk About How Math was Boring for You.
- Make it Practical.
Keep reading to find some of the best ways to make math fun and help your students build a love of learning!
- Math games. ...
- Visual aids and picture books. ...
- Using modern technology. ...
- Take a hands-on approach. ...
- Encourage communication with students and parents. ...
- Focus on your students. ...
- Stick to fixed routines. ...
- Use real objects.
- Team Work. Have students work in pairs/groups on a sheet. ...
- Discover the Rule. Have students work in pairs/groups to discover a rule or procedure. ...
- Matching Game. Use the problems on a sheet to create a matching game. ...
- On-Line Computer Game. ...
- Greatest Number Game. ...
- Make a Puzzle. ...
- Bingo. ...
- "Trivial-Pursuit" (TM) -Type Game.
With Interactive Worksheets, students can fill in the blanks, match images, highlight text, and complete worksheets directly online. Teachers can see automatically graded student submissions, saving time on grading and lesson prep. To get started with Interactive Worksheets: Log in and go to Worksheets.
How do you give an interactive lesson? ›
Make your class more interactive by asking questions, soliciting opinions, getting students to make short presentations, encouraging discussions and using audio, video and other sources to prompt dialogue and debate. Remember, without engagement and motivation there is no learning. Be clear and well organized.
How do you make a worksheet look good? ›
Limit colors in your Excel spreadsheet.
Using too many colors can make the sheet look busy and disorienting. Limit yourself to three colors, use them sparingly, and always keep the page color white. However, you can bring some life to the sheet with data visualization tools. They can also make your data easier to read.
What makes a good worksheet for students? ›
Consider adding images, hyperlinks, and voice recordings or letting your students do so. (You can do all of these things in the TeacherMade app.) Removing formatting obstacles and increasing a student's desire to engage are positive strategies for elevating the effectiveness of your worksheet.
If you want to make a Class 1 Math worksheet on Addition, keep questions that first build the concept of “putting things together in addition” and then take the students to practice addition sums. Move from easy to difficult questions so students don't get demotivated by the wrong answers in the beginning.
How to teach algebra in a fun way? ›
6 Instructional Strategies to Try in Algebra 1
- Flipped Classroom Model.
- Head-to-Head Challenges.
- The Jigsaw Method.
- Interactive Notebook Activities.
- Twist on Think-Pair-Share.
Math is full of interesting details and challenging concepts that encourage curiosity. Exploring math can open up new worlds as you discover new theories, master concepts, and connect the dots from different perspectives.
How to increase participation in math class? ›
Structure your time well to increase participation
- Pose a problem.
- Allow students to reflect individually and make a written record of their ideas.
- Partners or groups meet together. ...
- The group presents their solution to the class. (
Key Components of Engaging Lesson Plans
These objectives should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Interactive Activities: Incorporate activities that require students to think critically, collaborate with peers, and apply what they've learned in practical ways.
How to make math notes more interactive? ›
The use of colorful, engaging visuals and doodles can make learning math more fun and enjoyable for students, increasing their motivation and interest in math. Math wheels encourage creativity and personalization, allowing students to express themselves and their understanding of the material in unique ways.
