Hooda Math

Lets start with my website Hooda Math. I started this website back in August of 2008. I was getting ready for the year to begin, I had not found my job yet, and had no idea of my future. I figured I couldn’t plan so I would learn how to make math games in flash. I wasn’t that creative but knew we needed a free online version of Number Munchers the classic game that helped me memorize all of my math facts. I continued to make other games.

My wife had learned how to web design years ago at her old job, so she volunteered to design and maintain the site.

So, I had to add more content. I figured what do kids need for free online. I came up with short video math tutorials. I just started writing these recently after I ordered a electronic tablet. These have a ways to go, so please send me what you would like to be included.

In the games page, I began to add Hooda Math approved games, because kids are kids and they want to play fun fun games. So I wanted to make sure they were atleast playing games that I believe to use math thinking skills. To prove their relevance I have began to publish the worksheets I make my class fill-out when playing these games: Coffee Shop and Bloxorz, so far.

It also has a math links page and a contact form. I originally had a forum page, but now it will be changed to a blog link back to this blog.

please enjoy and tell your friends about Hooda Math.

Coffee Shop

Hey everyone I got a new version of Coffee Shop that works with Flash 10.

Thank you Armor Games. And Thank you all who have been so patient, waiting to play their favorite game Coffee Shop again.

Mixed Numbers into Improper Fractions

Last week I sucessfully taught all of my students to convert Mixed Numbers into Improper Fractions. I related the process first to getting quarters or rolls of dimes but then to getting tokens at an arcade or chuck.e.cheese which received a big laugh from my middle school students.

So first I give them a mixed number like :

and tell them that is $3 and 1 Quarter. So you already have one quarter in your pocket how many quarters do you get for $3?

It may take them a while but someone figures out they have to multiply the 3 by 4 to get 12.

So 12 quarters plus the 1 quarter you already had in your pocket makes 13 quarters.

and there you have it. Then I repeated the problem with dimes for instance:

Now it gets tricky (or here is the trick). How do you teach:

The description I used, was getting tokens at an arcade (you could also use tickets at a carnival). If it costs $1 for 7 tokens how many tokens do you get for $2? and add the 5 tokens you already have in your pocket which totals, how many tokens?

Out of all the fraction equivalences on the friday quiz, my students were able to convert mixed numbers to improper fractions the best. It is Amazing how a little anecdote can go a long way!

Five Days of Mail?

United States Postal Service thinks about cutting service and Hooda Math has written three word problems to challenge your students. They are for primary, intermediate, and middle school students. The problems are subtracting whole numbers, subtracting decimals, and finding percentage increase.

Tags: hooda math, word problem

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Division Word Problems – Strategy: Guess and Check

This is very similar to the other Lessons I have posted. To make it Guess and Check have the students start by guessing how many pizzas per classroom and then making circles for classroom and filling in the dots and counting the dots to adjust their guesses. I’ll post a more detailed lesson plan when I get a chance.

Tags: Lesson Plan, word problem

Multiplication Word Problems – Strategy: Using Tables

Lesson Plan for Multiplication Word Problems – Strategy: Using Tables

A. Class Discussion with Overhead Projector. – Do Problem 1 together.

1. Draw 5 circles and the 7 dots inside. -Students are to Count up dots.
2. Write out addition equation. 7+7+7+7+7 = 5
3. Draw a table with labels: “Bags of Rice” on left, and “Dollars” on right.
4. Multiplication Equation. 5 * 7 = 35
5. Sentence: Five groups of seven.

B. Students work on problem 2 at their tables – Must do all 5 parts similar to problem 1.

C. Students are to write their own multiplication word problem.

1. They may use the little square to draw in to help with creativity.
2. Write word problem.
3. Two Rules:

• It must end in a question.
• It must be solvable using a table.

D. When finished trade with friend, who must use a table to solve.

click to download the worksheet:

Tags: Lesson Plan, word problem, Worksheet

Multiplication Word Problems – Strategy: Drawing

Here is the first worksheet I made to teach students the Drawing strategy.

I did the first problem on the overhead with the students.

A. 1. I started with what do you draw first? the nests. then what do you draw second? the eggs in the nests.

2. Then we counted the eggs to get the answer. 21 eggs

3. Then I asked how could we use addition to solve this problem? 3+3+3+3+3+3+3 = 21

4. Then I finally asked for multiplication? 7 x 3 = 21

5. How would you write that in a sentence using the word “groups”? Seven groups of three.

B. 1. I had then work on the second problem on their own doing the exact same thing we did on the first problem, drawing, counting, adding, multiplication, explain in words.

2. Walked around and checked.

3. Went over on overhead with class, quickly.

C. 1. Students directed to draw their own multiplication word problems, must have “groups”.

2. Then followed by the written word problem.

3. I also put two rules on the board

Rule 1: It must end in a question.

Rule 2: It must be able to be solved using Multiplication.

D. Students begin to work, some ask to write out the problem first, that is fine. When students finish have them exchange problems.

E. Have students share their problem on the overhead with the class.

click to download the worksheet:

Tags: word problem, Worksheet