Math Expression Charades

Equipment list

  • Whiteboard and marker, or

  • Paper on clipboard and marker

Explanation

This is an engaging activity to get students moving in teams to create math expressions using their bodies. This activity supports student exploration of open-ended math questions.

Divide class into groups of 3-4 students.

Select and write a number on a whiteboard. (Choose difficulty according to grade level and competence.)

For example, the teacher writes 18 on the whiteboard.

Each team is given time to create an expression to represent 18. Students can represent each expression component using their bodies or perhaps a movement like jumping / clapping etc. Each student represents at least one component of the expression. Students can even represent multiple components of their team's expression if they chose to.

For example:

  • 9+9

  • 20-2

  • (6)2+6

When all teams are ready, the teams demonstrate their expression for the class. As a group, the class observes and deciphers each team's expression. The teacher then writes each down on the whiteboard. (Students can do the same if provided with a whiteboard.)

To increase the amount of physical activity included in this PAL activity, have the groups stand in a starting area and move/walk/run to their demonstration area to demo their expression.

Variation/progression

Divide the class into teams of 4-6 students and have half of each team demonstrate an expression for their teammates to decipher. The subgroups then switch. The activity continues with the class working in these smaller teams.

ASK ID 2024-03-28-001-E

Grade 1 - 2, Grade 3 - 4, Grade 5 - 6, Grade 7 - 8, Grade 9 - 10Gasta DesignMathematics