About the Math Night Modules
The pictures on this page link to different math night activities. Each
activity is a stand-alone unit and you can select as many or as few as
you like for your math night. They are designed as a display on a
tri-fold poster board with accompanying activities. The thumbnails link
to an overview of the posterboard, which in turn links to a description
of the activity, and material to be printed out and put on the
posterboard or used as part of the equipment. The description of the
activity includes a materials list, a photo of equipment which we have
used at our math nights, background information, web and book
references. The printable material includes pages for the posterboard
as shown on the module page, notes for the person who is conducting the
activity, and any printed material needed as part of the activity or to
make equipment for the activity.
Activities Index
1. Abacus Arithmetic
Use and/or make an abacus. Recommended grades 2->5
2. Topology Tricks
Various topology related activities. Appeals to upper grades: 4->8.
3. Wrapping Paper Symmetry
Use sponges and frames to paint wrapping paper with your choice of
symmetry. All grades--older grades will probably do more with the
symmetry.
4. Math is a Piece of  Various activities
related to  .
Recommended grades 4->8
5. The Bridges of Koenigsberg
Walk the bridges of Koenigsberg and see if you can walk each one exactly
once. Remove or add a bridge and see what happens. Recommended grades
K->8
6. Binary Numbers
Learn the binary system. Add and subtract in binary numbers. Weigh
different objects to make binary numbers. Recommended grades 3->8 (A
second grader who is comfortable with the idea of place value would
probably appreciate this, too.)
7. Geometry Gems Make pictures from
shapes. Begin to understand the geometry of ploygons with colorful
polygons and tangrams. Recommended grades K->4
8. Algorithms, Braids, and Kolam Figures
Follow the algorithm to make a braided bracelet. Find out what is
mathematical about braids and explore the idea of inverses with the
unravelling braid. Follow the algorithm to draw a kolam figure--a
traditional threshold decoration from Tamil Nadu. All grades.
9. Clock Arithmetic Make a number
bracelet. Color Pascal's triangle in modular colors. Play mancala and
find out what mancala and clocks have in common. All grades.
10. Secret (and not so Secret) Codes
Send a message in Morse code to a person sitting on the other side of
the display. Receive a Morse code message. Make a code wheel and use
it to send and receive coded messages. Decode messages using a
substitution code and a transposition code. Recommended grades 2->8.
11. Construction By Instruction
Build a structure out of duplos and explain to a partner sitting out
of sight how to build it. The partner tries to follow the instructions
and duplicate the duplo structure. All grades.
12. The Mathematics of Music | The Music of
Mathematics Music by chance: play a musical dice game like
Mozart's. Learn about symmetry and music. Use simple symmetry ideas to
make up and play an accompaniment to a three measure melody.
Recommended grades 4->8. Younger children enjoy playing with the
xylophone but usually can't read music well enough to do the activities
planned.
13. Multiple Methods of Multiplication
Multiply like an Egyptian. Use Napier's bones to multiply. Multiply
"vertically and crosswise" according to the Hindu Vedas. Recommended
grades 3->8.
14. The Slide Rule
Find out what logarithms are useful for. Find out about a calculator
that needs no power at all! Learn what people did before
they had electronic calculators. A slice of math history.
Recommended grades 5->8.
15. Cake Walk Math
The cake walk is a popular activity at school carnivals and other
fund raisers. This module helps kids understand what the chances are of
winning a cake walk. It introduces the idea of probability in a
familiar and engaging context.
Recommended grades K->6.
16. Mirror, Mirror
This activity explores reflectional symmetry. Students learn about
left and right handed molecules, building their own out of gum-drops and
toothpicks. The activity explores mirror writing. Recommended grades
1->6. The affect of artificially symmetrizing a hound dog is examined.
17. Make a Mountain out of a Map
Build a model of Mount Everest, and learn how to interpret a contour map. Recommended grades 2->6
18. Math 'N Music Notes
Find out how elementary math ideas such as ratios and common multiples are part of the structure of music. Experiment with ratios in overtones on a string. Recommended grades 4->8
19. You Can Count on It!
Find out how to write numbers without paper and pencil--with knots, sticks, or fingers! Recommended grades K->6
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