Hands on Makes Sense

Remember learning "fractions and decimals?"

2.25 "Two and twenty-five hundredths"
Photo by Hoksina Bull Bear

It is not easy for most people! It is definitely hard when you have a math learning disability. However, that is exactly what our "Math Hacks" small group math class is doing.

We're using base-ten blocks. We made place value charts. We're also learning (or reviewing) the algorithm (method) for doing the arithmetic.

Place value chart. Whole numbers to the left. Decimals to the right.

To be honest, it's easier to add and subtract decimals (line up the decimal points, use an "invisible zero" if needed) than it is to represent them using base-ten blocks.

But, for some of us, this is the very first time we've actually understood what "doing the math" (including borrowing and renaming) really means!

Earning XP in our Epic Quest class game.

During math class, we also earn XP (experience points) in our Epic Quest class game.

We can earn up to:
3000 XP each for being on-task
3000 XP each for learning
And
3000 XP each for completing assignments

We can also earn 1000 XP if we are an "Early Bird" winner- meaning we arrive at class and get to work before the bell rings! (Hoksina and Jaden are the top Early Birds so far this quarter!)

If we have a day when we ALL earn full points (3000+3000+3000= 9000 each), then we roll the "Magic Cube" and can multiply our points by whatever the dice shows.

Today, for example:

• Nyton earned 9000 XP 
• Jaden earned 9000 XP
• Hoksina earned 10,000 XP (Early Bird bonus)

We rolled a 2. So we all got DOUBLE points.
Check this out! We're competing with the upper-class students.
US:                1,468,500
THEM:          1,215,800

We are ahead and earning our way toward our class prizes:

• Pizza party- order in Pizza Hut as soon as at least one member of our team gets Level 20
• Basketball in the gym- if our team beats the Upper-Class team.