Here's an activity to practice math skills while competing against family members and friends. No technology is required, and the activity can be modified for any grade level. Children from different grades can even compete against each other.
Below is a general outline for this activity, but you can read more about Tower Challenges HERE. Tower Challenges are broken down into 2 stages: students first work on review math problems and then attempt to build the tallest tower possible out of uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows. Children earn spaghetti and marshmallows for their towers by correctly answering their review problems.
To do this activity, a set of review problems is needed. Parents can create a set of review problems on their own, or they can use THIS SITE for worksheets. Example worksheets for older students can be found HERE. Worksheets can be printed off (answers are also provided) or parents can copy the worksheet problems on a separate piece of paper for their children to use.
The parent then decides how many spaghetti noodles and marshmallows each question is worth. An easy question might be worth 2 noodles and 3 marshmallows while a harder question might be worth more. You decide. Children work on the review assignment, the problems are corrected, and noodles and marshmallows are distributed. Children earn marshmallows and noodles for correct answers. There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
Now the competition begins! It's time to build a tower with the spaghetti and marshmallows. The goal is to make the tallest tower than can stand on its own by only using the uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows. Children can work on this on their own, with a parent, etc. Exactly how tall can you make your tower? Here are some examples.
One final thought...this activity can easily be completed remotely with friends. Share the same review assignment with your child's friends. They can all compete against each other at the same time.
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