I teach 5th grade math in a growing community filled with wonderful, eager learners. My students would love to have more "hands-on" learning experiences that are true to life.
My students loved the real-life check writing unit we recently finished in math. They were intrigued about money, check writing, and other situations they will face in their lives. It was wonderful to watch them grow educationally, and make the connection between classroom math and the real world. The math board games my class and I are asking for would continue this bank oriented unit in math. The first game we would use would be the ATM game. This game would go directly with our check writing real-world math. The game would reinforce skills like balancing a checkbook and would introduce new skills like banking fees. It would teach the kids that an ATM card is just like a check, they need to have the money in the bank before they swipe that card. Next, we would use the banking game to talk about interest rates. Most adults don't know how to figure the interest they are earning for the money they place in a savings account or how much they are actually paying for a car. I would love for my students to see how money can make more money with interest rates, and how money is thrown away on interest rates. I feel that these games will make an impact that will last a lifetime.
Getting out of the routine of worksheets, worksheets, worksheets is GREAT for the kids, and wonderful for the environment. Learning can come in many forms and a "hands-on" game is a great way to learn, work with others, and have fun! The board games that we need will teach key factors in every persons life: using a savings account and an ATM machine.
Your help with this project will allow kids to have real-life experiences while still in the safety of the classroom. You are also supporting alternative ways of teaching that move beyond worksheets.
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