Math in the Middle
Equipment list
Teacher’s list of grade-appropriate math questions. Or just pull them from your memory!
Explanation
This PAL activity is adapted from an old favourite camp game called "Huckle Buckle".
Divide the class into two teams. One effective way is to have students stand in a circle and then number themselves off from 1-2.
The teams stand shoulder to shoulder in two lines facing each other.
Invite the teams to high-5 the student standing across from them - this will be their working partner. (If there is an odd number of students, groups of 3 are fine for this PAL activity as well).
Now the teams both take 5-8 giant steps backwards (use your discretion).
Call out "Huckle Buckle" plus the math expression the class will be solving. This could be addition, subtraction, multiplication, division etc. The two teams move into the centre to pair up with their partner from the other team to solve the equation. Each team expresses their answer using their own bodies.
The teacher can walk along the line of students to check on each team's answer, and also debrief the question with the whole class.
To watch an example of Math in the Middle please watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uFxBLsFdiE&list=PLsTGrP6EL5KouXPiYbYl0htjISojq7QIM&index=9
Variation/progression
Consider using large question cards, or writing the math expressions on a portable whiteboard to hold up as a visual clue for each round.
ASK ID 2024-01-25-001-E