Title: Weapon of Maths Destruction
Purpose: Students will use problem-solving strategies.
Grade Level/TEKS: Grade 7
(3) Number and operations. The student applies mathematical process standards to add, subtract, multiply, and divide while solving problems and justifying solutions. The student is expected to:
(A) add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers fluently; and
(B) apply and extend previous understandings of operations to solve problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of rational numbers.
Length of Time: Depending on the student level of basic math facts, 5-15 minutes.
Number of Participants: 1
Source for Game: http://kidsgameshq.com/weapon-of-maths-destruction
Materials needed for this game is a computer, internet connection, scratch paper, pencil and a calculator.
Weapon of Maths Destruction Controls:
Move left using the left arrow key. Move right using the right arrow key. Move up using the up arrow key. Move down using the down arrow key. Shoot using 'space'. Enter answers to equations using the number keys. Submit answers using 'enter'.
Directions for Game:
Student’s start the game with three hearts (shown at the top left of the game screen). If you lose all three hearts, your tank is destroyed and you'll have to start over from the beginning. The math part of the game comes into play as soon as you fire on an enemy. In order to hit your enemy, you'll have to answer a math equation. The type of equation and the level of difficult with vary throughout the game. Sometimes it will be fairly easy. Other times, it will be difficult. Students must remember they only have a certain amount of time to answer the questions, so they must be quick. The equations are also much more difficult, encompassing all areas of the basic math operations, right from the beginning and getting gradually harder as the game progresses.
Weapon of Maths Destruction might be a little too difficult for the younger kids; older kids are going love this math game because it doesn't really feel like a math game as they play. The action based format allow it to feel more like a regular game as opposed to the other games in the genre that often require simply answering equations as they appear on the screen. That difference will make older kids want to play the game a lot more and will allow them to have more fun with it. The fact that they're learning and improving their math skills in the process will just be an added bonus.
Adapted by Barbra Darling (2014)