Cognitive Cardio Math
  • Cognitive Cardio Math
  • Math Blog
    • Math Blog Table of Contents
  • Shop
  • Free Math & ELA Resources
  • Problem of the Week
  • Math Games
  • Privacy Policy

Math and Ping Pong!

3/3/2018

0 Comments

 
Pin it
Have you ever thought about how ping pong helps kids practice math? 
math and ping pong!
I love playing ping pong! I played it a lot as a kid and I play occasionally as an adult....we have a table in the basement:-) I would never claim to be a SERIOUS player, but I'm not bad!
I was playing with my daughter the other day, and it occurred to me that playing ping pong is a great way for younger children to practice their addition facts and some multiples of 5 (good for older kids too, if they don't know these facts very well). Now, this idea is based on the "serving rules" that we used when I was growing up. It appears (after I searched for info) that these are not the official rules any more, but since I'm not a professional, I'm ok with playing by the unofficial rules!  The way we played is that the server switches every 5 points, and we played to 21 points.
So, here's where the math comes in....when you're playing, you need to know when to switch who's serving, so you need to know what adds up to the multiples of 5. When the score is 5-0, 4-1, or 3-2, serving switches. To switch servers at 10 points, players  need to know that the score would be 10-0, 9-1, 8-2, 7-3, 6-4, or 5-5. When serving switches at a total of 15 points, the score possibilities are 15-0, 14-1, 13-2, 12-3, 11-4, 10-5, 9-6, 8-7. At 20 points, the score would be 20-0, 19-1, 18-2, 17-3, 16-4, 15-5, 14-6, 13-7, 12-8, 11-9, 10-10. The repetition of these facts throughout many games can really help kids learn them.
​
Over the years, I have noticed that students (in general) seem less aware of, and less automatic with, the digits that will add to 10. Playing ping pong is a great way for kids to practice these facts without thinking that they're practicing math (math in real-life!).

This is great for parents to do with their kids, but also - a mini ping pong table in the classroom sounds like fun!!

Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    Hey there! I'm Ellie - here to share math fun, best practices, and engaging, challenging, easy-prep activities ideas!
    Looking for a particular topic or activity? Check out the Blog Table of Contents.

    Pixel art create your own color by answer
    math color by number activities for grades 5 to 7
    note taking graphic organizers for 6th grade math

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    September 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    March 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    January 2013

Back to Free Page
  • Cognitive Cardio Math
  • Math Blog
    • Math Blog Table of Contents
  • Shop
  • Free Math & ELA Resources
  • Problem of the Week
  • Math Games
  • Privacy Policy