Word search

-
Sometimes, simple ideas can be used from one subject that invigorate and bring alive teaching in another subject. I find that language gives a lot of ways that bring Maths alive. One such simple idea is solving a word search

Word search is usually associated with language teaching, however it can be very well used for Maths too. There are words to be remembered in Maths which can be difficult, such as 'Quadrilateral, Isosceles, Algebraic...' etc. 

 There are 3 reasons why it is a good idea for Maths classes:
  1. Word search is a fun way to help the students recall the names of the words and also remember the spelling. 
  2. It is a group task so brings in the skill of collaborative learning. 
  3. Finally, this can be a formative assessment that is self checked.
  4. Teacher can be a facilitator of the class. 

Word search made by a student

To implement word search in the Maths class, there are two ways:
  1. Generate one from the web and ask students to work on it. Set a timer and they have to search for words within that time.
  2. Ask students to make one on their own and let loose their creativity!
There are several websites where word-search can be designed. For example, click here. Takes very little time for the teacher to design one. 
There are certain systems a teacher must use in order to make the session fruitful:
  1. The time to solve a word search should be given clearly so the task is not stretched unending. 
  2. Ideally the instructions, the work and the final score should all be done in a single lesson of 40 to 45 minutes. 
  3. This task would be ideal for grades 4 to 8, however I have seen even senior students loving it. 
  4. And to add a dash of colour, ask the students to use colour pencils to mark the words on the sheet given.
  5. It is always better to have it in group setting, for it brings in the skill of cooperative learning. 
To sum up, it is simple task that: Connects Maths with language teaching; Allows space for group work; Can be self checked by students.



Happy teaching from HumaneMaths!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Judge a man by the questions he asks!

-
Image
Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers. (Voltaire) All our lives, we have been told that our smartness is measured by the answers that we have. And here comes Voltaire who says the opposite! My initial reaction is, ‘What does this mean?’ However, since it is Voltaire that says it, I think it must have some meaning and I dig deeper! As a listener, I may learn more by the questions I ask instead of by the quiet judgments I make. As a reader I may gain more by my questioning the text instead of believing what I read blindly. As a human being, I may contribute more to society by questioning the traditions than blindly following them. “The questions do mean a lot in life, not just for the sake of saying it, but for the sake that they define where your life is headed and how you are going to shape your life”, (Inspire99, 2019, para. 5) . As I read this blog piece, I felt pieces dropping in my mind and a change in the way I approached questions. Questions as a way to ...
Read more

Free Maths Resources

-
Image
PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY FILE.  Download only. Others need them too.  Click on each link to get the folder.  Algebra Geometry Numbers Probability Space Statistics or Data Handling Transformation Trigonometry Cross Curricular Games Creative Ideas Thinking Questions Good Websites Senior school Mental Maths Mixed Worksheets Book Links
Read more

Use body to make numbers

-
Image
  "Use your bodies and make the figure of 8". Not that great, but they tried. Activities such as these are taught for the pre-primary kids to do. They learn through their bodies. Primary teachers enjoyed it thoroughly!
Read more