Andrea Gonzales

Amy Hogan
13 November 2014
Math Center

Math Center
Summary of Purpose: The purpose of this math center is for the kids to be able to practice their
division, and to get a more in depth view of how division works. In order to beat your partner,
you will need to strategize so that your quotient turns out to be larger than your opponents. The
neat thing about this math center is that it does not only have to be used for division, but can also
be modified to different age levels and different objectives that are being taught such as addition,
subtraction, and multiplication.
Grade Level Targeted: 5th
Length of time: 30 minutes approximately needed, or this specific activity can be used as a free
time activity. That doesnt necessarily require a time limit.
Materials needed: Dice (4) two different colors, worksheets, scratch paper, pencil,
crayons/markers
Written instruction: Essentially there should only be 2-3 students at one of these math centers.
There will be four dice altogether, two dice of one color and the other two dice a different color.
Each student will have the given worksheet that is provided. The first student will roll the dice;
the student then has the option of arranging the numbers of the dice into any order to come up
with their dividend. The two dice of (color chosen by teacher) will then be put as the divisor, and
all four of the numbers will be put as the dividend. While figuring out this problem, player
number two will then roll and repeat the process. Once all of the students have their problem
answered they will discuss with the others their answerthis is to verify that everyone agrees
that the answer is correct. The person, who ends up with the highest quotient, will then get to
color in one of the blocks on the worksheet. (The worksheets can be based on the upcoming
holiday, for example, for Christmasa candy cane, for thanksgivingturkeys feathers, for
Halloweenpumpkins teeth, St. Patricks Daygold from a pot.) The objective of the game is
to be the first one to color in all of the blank spots (feathers, gold, etc.) The students will soon
figure out that they need to strategize the way that they choose the order of their number, in order
to get the largest quotient possible.
Common core standards: 5.NBT.B.6

Learning objectives: Students will apply the strategies that they have previously learned, and
they will work on strengthening those strategies through this game.
Prerequisite skills needed: knowledge of how to do division problems, 4-digit dividends and 2digit divisors. (The number of digits in the dividend may vary from student to student, this is
where it is important that the teacher gives specific instructions)
Plan to assess student learning: The students here will also work on peer-learning. For example,
after the first student figures out his/her math problem, and figures out the answer, they will need
to show their opponent what they did. This way, if the opponent does not agree with the answer
they will have to discuss to figure out what is wrong. Also, to make sure student are doing their
work, and doing their work properly, the teacher can have the student turn in their piece of extra
notebook paper, with all of their work shown, along with the completed worksheet.
Explanation of different learning styles incorporated: This specific activity can be differentiated
by the number of digits in the dividend and the divisor. It is important that the teacher knows the
students and their different abilities in this situation, and is able to give specific instruction to
those that are in this math center.