Park+the+Pods


 * Park the Pods **

Park the Pods involves three games that improve mathematical skills for students at a primary school level. The games all include using a ‘hundreds chart’ and can be used multiple ways including identifying direct numbers, number patterns and the different relationship between numbers. It involves simple mathematical language such as //between, count back, count on, tens and units//. @http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/starship/maths/index.shtml

Three games have been identified below although there is no specific rules as you can change this to suit the specific students needs and abilities,

This involves the student/s placing the pod on a specific number square on the hundreds chart Example- “Park me on 67” The student would then place the pod on the square that has the number 67 within it.
 * Game One- Direct Placement **

This involves students answering simple equations by placing the pod between the correct answer on the hundreds chart Example- “Park me between 69 and 71” The student/s would then place the pod on the number 70.
 * Game Two- Between Two Numbers **

This game can be played at three levels progressively becoming more difficult. This game involves working within the tens, crossing the tens, adding and subtracting tens and units. Example- “Move back 20 spaces from 30” The student would then place the pod one the hundreds chart in the square with the number 20 within it.
 * Game Three- Counting on/ counting back **

This tool is effective as the teacher can use the resource for one on one teaching or in a group. The chart is printable and can be used on an interactive whiteboard in the classroom making it a great resource to use as a class mathematics activity. It is also possible for the teacher to manipulate the resource and change the text size, colours and font to suit individual needs.

This resource is useful for a student to become more familiar and more confident with numeral identification to 100, identifying the number before and after, as well as arithmetical strategies like counting on.

References BBC,2011, Schools Starship Maths, Retrieved from, http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/starship/maths/index.shtml