Delta-K
Journal of the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association
Volume 53 Issue 2, September 2016
38 – 47
Ready, SET, Play: Learning Elementary School Mathematics Through an Attribute-Based Game
Janelle McFeetors and Kaitlyn Ireland
The use of engaging activities such as games in elementary mathematics classrooms can help children form a positive disposition towards mathematics and provide meaningful learning opportunities. Games have been recommended as a way for students to develop an understanding of mathematical ideas before they move toward abstractions (Dienes 197 L ). Ernest ( 1986) identified three educational uses of games in mathematics class: gaining skill-based fluency, developing conceptual understanding and refining problem-solving approaches. Analysis of students’ learning through varied game contexts has identified benefits such as (I) the context of mathematics class allows for children to readily mathematize authentic contexts originating outside the classroom (Linchevski and Williams 1999); (2) small-group settings in games, with peers and a teacher, support mathematical conversations in which learning occurs (Polaki 2002); and (3) children demonstrate improvement in attitude and motivation for learning mathematics (Lopez-Morteo and Lopez 2007).
