Friday Afternoon Lifesavers – the Teacher’s Best Friend; Part 1, Equation Search

by Bill Lombard on 16 January, 2009

friday-afternoon-lifesavers

Friday Afternoon Lifesavers are exactly what they sound like: at the end of the week when you and your students are running out of gas, these activities come to the rescue. They are mathematical, engaging, fun, and give the teacher a much-needed break.

Equation Search can be used with many different levels of students. Its primary goal is to increase number sense while allowing students to make critical transition steps toward the algebra domain. Students are given a grid of numbers and asked to find at least three numbers in a row (no going around corners) that make a mathematical equation. Some examples are in the graphic below. Students are quite competitive with this activity, and some kids try to find the longest equation possible. A usual assignment asks students to find 50 or 75 equations.

equation-search-sample

Here’s the Equation Search activity in pdf. format so it will print well at your site. Complete directions are included.

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Glenn 19 March, 2009 at 8:33 am

Bill,

These Friday afternoon Lifesavers are great! Although I already have a few of these activities at least three are new to me. This may very well be the key to my sixth period class surviving the spring semester.

Thanks.

Glenn

blombard 19 March, 2009 at 6:19 pm

Hi Glenn,
Glad to hear it! It’s always a pleasure to hear from readers and to share some good math for kids. The Friday Afternoon Lifesavers will be a continuing feature of mrlsmath.com
- Mr. L

Fawn 29 March, 2009 at 7:38 pm

Hello Bill,
I always look forward to your new posts via email and visit your site often. Your resources are truly wonderful (bought 4 of your books)! Thank you so much for sharing these great fun activities that require problem solving!

Fawn

Marisa 23 March, 2010 at 8:25 pm

Hi Bill,

I am currently student teaching and will be graduating in May and stumbled across your website here. I absolutely LOVE it! The range of activities and organziation of everything is just great! Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to share all of this great information! :)

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