Standards-based
Our games are super-fun, but they’re also grounded in Common Core standards; as kids enjoy our games, they’re learning number sense fundamentals.
In Motion Math: Hungry Fish, players use instant-addition to create a goal sum; if you bring two numbers together, they instantly merge and add. This is a helpful metaphor: addition is bringing two elements together. Also, instead of solving 5 + 4 = ?, players must understand all the ways of adding and subtracting to a goal (5+4, 6+3, 6+1+2, 12-3, 11-2, etc.). A negatives level provides challenge for older learners (including adults). Relevant Common Core standards:
• K.CC.1-7, K.OA.1-5
• 1.OA.1-8, 1.NBT.1, 1.NBT.4-5
• 2.OA.1-3, 2.NBT.5-8
• 3.NBT.2
• 4.NBT.4
In Motion Math Zoom, learners master finding numbers on the number line, which is relevant for many Common Core standards throughout the elementary grades:
• K.CC.7, K.CC.1, K.NBT.1
• 1.NBT.1, 1.NBT.2, 1.NBT.3, 1.NBT.5
• 2.NBT.1., 2.NBT.4
• 3.NBT.1
• 4.NBT.1, 4.NBT.2, 4.NBT.3, 4.NF.6, 4.NF.7, 4.NF.6
• 5.NBT.3
• 6.NS.5, 6.NS.6, 6.NS.7
In Motion Math, learners master estimating the location of fractions, decimals, percents, and pie charts on the number line, and master comparing fractions. We made this game because so many teachers told us that their students struggle with fractions! Relevant standards:
• 3.NF.2., 3.NF.3.
• 4.NF.2.,4.NF.5.,4.NF.6.,4.NF.7.
• 5.NF.6.
Grounded in research
Many recent studies highlight the importance of early number sense and the number line. The Motion Math game suite is grounded in several key findings from this work and other research:
1. Physical experiences of intellectual content can deepen understanding and increase engagement.
2. Learning games work best when there’s no separation between gameplay and learning.
3. Fractions are a difficult content area for many students and crucial for later math achievement.
4. Number line estimation is an important skill underlying the conceptual understanding of quantity and more advanced math operations.
For more references, and a more detailed examination of this research, read the Master’s project report we completed at the Stanford School of Education.
Talk to us
We’d love to hear from you about how you’re using our products in your classroom, and your ideas for what would help your students and you; and if you’re based in the Bay Area, we’d love to stop by your classroom to test out our newest games!
Thanks to Candace Townsley for this fun example of Motion Math in the classroom:
