One effective way to make maths fun and accessible is through engaging educational activities that get students excited about numbers, number patterns and numerical concepts.
Hands-on Maths Activities
Incorporating hands-on maths activities is a fantastic way to bring numerical concepts to life. For example, students can use blocks, beads or other manipulatives to visually represent basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This allows them to physically see how the numbers interact and the end results. You can also have students measure the dimensions of classroom objects using rulers and tape measures to practice units of measurement.
Maths-Themed Games and Puzzles
Games and puzzles that centre around maths are a great way to sneak in numeracy practice while students are having fun. Card games that involve counting, adding or sequencing numbers can make maths feel more like play than work. Challenging logic puzzles and brain teasers that require mathematical reasoning are another engaging option. Online maths games are also widely available and often customisable to different grade levels and skill sets.
Interdisciplinary Maths Projects
Connecting maths to other subjects makes the concepts more relatable and meaningful for students. Assign projects that blend maths with subjects like science, art or even history. For instance, have students calculate the area and perimeter of historical building floor plans or create artistic maths-themed murals. Incorporating real-world applications of maths, such as budgeting, discounts and measurement conversions, can also pique students’ interest.
The key to making maths fun and effective is finding ways to actively engage students rather than relying solely on lectures and textbook work. By blending numerical practice with hands-on activities, games, and interdisciplinary projects, educators can help students build essential numeracy skills while fostering a love of maths that will serve them well in school and beyond.
Because every child is different, they might have different reasons for dreading maths class or avoiding their maths homework.
- Difficulty — If a student is struggling to keep up with their maths homework or understand lessons, it’s very easy for them to disengage and get discouraged or anxious.
- Boredom — If students aren’t being challenged enough or need extra resources to stay occupied, maths work they’ve already mastered can cause them to become bored and disengaged.
- General interest — Maybe your child really likes reading, science or art more than maths facts. They could be prioritising work in these classes, or simply be uninterested in paying attention to maths.
- Maths anxiety — Testing and grades give some students a lot of anxiety. This stress is exacerbated when they’re struggling to master new concepts, causing them to become overwhelmed and lose focus.
Maths games are a tried-and-true method for bringing excitement and competition to your classroom. Whether online or in person, math games can engage your students and align to your lesson plan.
To support educators and parents in making maths enjoyable and accessible, AISL Mall offers a range of innovative educational resources.
NovaLearn stands out as an EdTech company dedicated to celebrating each child’s individuality. It offers a safe, interactive e-learning platform filled with a diverse library of games and edutainment videos. NovaLearn provides courses in various subjects, including STEAM, Art, Engineering, English, Future Ready, Mandarin, Math, Science, and Technology, allowing children to learn anything, anywhere, anytime.
Mangahigh provides a subscription-based platform that allows entire schools or grade levels to access year-long or multi-year maths games. Students receive login credentials and can begin learning and practicing maths on the platform. Mangahigh offers complimentary services, including dashboard access for teachers, teacher training on the platform, and downloadable certificates of appreciation for students.
Smartick is a personalized math learning platform that adapts to the individual skills and needs of each student. With daily 15-minute lessons, Smartick covers various math topics, from basic arithmetic to complex word problems, all presented through engaging games and activities. The platform boasts an impressive success rate, with 83% of users improving their grades, making it a valuable tool for building a strong foundation in math.
By integrating these resources into the classroom or home learning environment, educators and parents can create a more engaging and supportive atmosphere for students. These tools help foster a positive attitude towards maths, encouraging students to explore and enjoy the subject while developing essential skills for their future.
