Math Game Using A Tic-Tac-Toe Board
Gertrude Franklin William Penn
1616 S. Avers
Chicago, Illinois 60623
312-535-3665
Objectives:
To introduce three mathematical operations -- addition, subtraction and
multiplication -- by using Tic-Tac-Toe methodology
To introduce a new method in using the Tic-Tac-Toe grid.
To present a new method in problem solving.
Materials Needed:
Pencils Pieces of paper for computation
Overhead projector Handouts of sample math problems
Recommended Strategy:
The teacher will write some math problems on the board to be explained to the
students.
Students will complete problems in computation on the Tic-Tac-Toe board or on
paper. The student giving the first correct answer will get a point. The
points will be totaled at the end of the game.
Place nine students in a square resembling a Tic-Tac-Toe board.
Scores will be kept on a Tic-Tac-Toe board by an "O" or an "X." The team scores
by making a straight line of 3 O's or 3 X's.
The O's will compete against the X's.
If the answer is incorrect, the problem will go to the next team for a correct
answer.
Players will rotate until all have had a chance to participate. Blank Tic-Tac-
Toe symbols are given to students to create new problems.
The overhead projector will be used to introduce problems in finding the missing
numbers. For example, a blank square in the Tic-Tac-Toe grid would require the
answer 15 to the problem "How much is 3 times 5?" These problems will be shown
one at a time to give students a chance to get the right answer or to ask
questions about solving the problem.
Conclusion:
Students were introduced to Tic-Tac-Toe problems in addition,
subtraction and multiplication and in finding the missing number.
Reference:
Family Math by Leon Kerr Sternmark, Virginia Thompson, and Ruth.
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