Skee Ball Champion

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

4

Overview

This is a fun learning activity that connects math to the real-world of arcade games. In this learning activity, students collaborate to find a strategy to win 450 points and win the grand prize playing Skee Ball. The students will then have the opportunity to practice their strategy on a virtual Skee Ball game.

This alignment is a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

After/Explain/Elaborate

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 4

MA19.4.10
Use place value strategies to fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers and connect strategies to the standard algorithm.

Vocabulary

Addition
Subtraction
Standard algorithm
Place value
Decompose
Compose
Fluently
Multi-digit
Strategy
Difference
Sum

Knowledge

Students know:

a variety of accurate and efficient strategies to find sums and differences and use them when appropriate.

Skills

Students are able to:

Use place value strategies to add and subtract multi-digit numbers.
Use the standard algorithm for addition and subtraction and connect strategies to the standard algorithm.

Understanding

Students understand that:

There are a variety of strategies, models, and representations for solving mathematical problems with addition and subtraction.
Efficient application of computation strategies is based on the numbers and operations in the problems.
The steps used in the standard algorithm for addition and subtraction can be justified by using the relationship between addition and subtraction and the understanding of place value.

Learning Objectives

The students will be able to collaboratively brainstorm strategies to fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm to solve a given problem.

Activity Details

This activity is best used after teaching students how to fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.

Explain to the students that many arcades have a game called Skee Ball where you roll a ball up a ramp and into a hole to earn points. You earn more points when the ball goes into smaller holes. The more points you earn, the more tickets you get to buy prizes with. As a bonus, if you earn at least 450 points, you win their grand prize which gives you as many as a thousand tickets. Tell the students today they will work together to find the best strategy to get 450 points and win the grand prize.

Group the students into groups with no more than four students per group. Distribute the Skee Ball Strategy Worksheet (one per group). Give the students 15 minutes to collaboratively work on finding a strategy to solve the problem. When the group thinks they have their strategy, they can practice their strategy virtually on the following Skee Ball Game Website. At the end of the 15-minute work session, each group will share their strategy with the class.

Assessment Strategies

The students will be assessed on their Skee Ball Strategy Worksheet. The teacher should check for usage of the standard algorithm previously taught.

Background / Preparation

The teacher will need to print out the Skee Ball Strategy worksheet (one per group).

https://www.y8.com/games/skee_ball

Approved Date

2019-06-22

Owner (Author)

mgsaboyd

Design by Adaptive Theme