How to turn Noodles into Fun Math Games

The minute you bring out the purple noodle from last summer's poolside frolics, kids will go into fun mode. No convincing needed. They'll automatically connect today's math games with fun. Now you've got the edge!

I picked up this tip from Clyde Greeno, a math-instruction professor with The American Institute for the Improvement of Mathematics Learning and Instruction thanks to a recent article in Tulsa World.

There's a 2nd reason why your kids will view this as a fun math game. You know how kids love to wreck things? Here's a chance for them to do a bit of constructive wrecking. They get to whack their noodle into little pieces. As many as they want.

The only rule is that the pieces must be of equal size.

First, see if they can figure out where to make the first cut so that both pieces will be equal. If they can't, then show them a little short cut trick. Kids love tricks. Bend the thing in half. Cut. Done.

Now see if they can figure out how to cut the 2 new pieces in half. If they get that, they've just mastered their first fraction lesson! Be sure to use the terminology. For example, whole (before cutting), half, two halves, etc. Ask them what they get when they put the 2 halves back together.

Once the pieces are too small to bend, you can incorporate measuring skills so they continue dividing each noodle piece in half. A measuring stick, sewing or carpenter's tape will do just fine.

The underlying trick in today's fun math games idea is to use what I call 'feel-good' tools. Anything that makes your child feel good is fair game.

Have fun! Reddi