Kagan
It's All About Engagement!
Match Mine: Mathematics
Line Graphs
Download this cooperative barrier game to teach your students vocabulary and communication skills using the structure Match Mine. Each partner receives a game board with graph paper and line graph game pieces to place on the game board. Partners sit on opposite sides of a barrier so they can’t see each other’s game board or game pieces. Partner A arranges the line graph pieces on each area of the game board. Then, using only verbal communication, Partner A describes to Partner B which line graph goes on each space so they can make a match. For example, “Put the line graph that goes from 25 to 50 in Q1, stays level to Q3, then goes from 50 to 70 in Q3 in the middle box on the bottom row of the game board.” When they think they have a match, they compare arrangements and celebrate. This set teaches line graph reading skills and vocabulary such as: horizontal, y-axis, valley, etc. Match Mine is a fun and cooperative way to develop language, communication, cooperation, and perspective-taking skills.
There's no better way to get your students talking about and using the language of mathematics than using these communication-building Match Mine games. Partners sit on opposite sides of a barrier. They each receive the same game board and game pieces copied from the book. For example, the game board is a grid and the game pieces are solid 3D geometry shapes. One student organizes her pieces on the game board. Then, with words alone, she must describe her arrangement to her partner so her partner can make a match. Students learn and use mathematics vocabulary and concepts as they play: "Place the rectangular prism in the first column, last row." The communication standard for math calls for: "students to organize their mathematical thinking through communication; communicate mathematical thinking clearly to peers; and use the language of mathematics to express ideas precisely." Includes 30 reproducible games spanning 7 strands of mathematics. Your students will ask to play again and again. 136 pages.