So this week, I am going to go math specific with a very simple online game that helps kids work on their order of operations and also just some simple computational skills. I use this game with my Algebra I kids in the beginning of the year and they usually have quite a bit of fun with it.
The game is called Eric's Broken Calculator and it is very simple to use. Essentially you are given a calculator that has only a few working buttons and you have to arrive at each number on a list using only the numbers and operations given. You can see an example of the screen in action on the right.As you can see, the numbers get crossed off as you come up with them. There is also a timer in the bottom right hand corner. There are seven levels in all, each one harder than the previous one and the time given changes with each level.
Just as a heads up...some of the later levels have the old "m+" (add to memory) and "mr" (memory recall) buttons that most current students have never encountered. You may have to show them how these buttons work if they are unfamiliar with them because they are needed to arrive at the solutions!
I love to use this with a smartboard because the students can stand in the front of the classroom and try to get the results in front of the class. I usually have the other students in class try to come up with the list faster than the student at the board, which is hard because they don't get the benefit of the calculator.
I hope you enjoy this one and I have more ideas to come in the coming weeks!
