Math Game Using A Tic-Tac-Toe Board

Gertrude Franklin              William Penn
4131 West 21st Place           1616 S. Avers 
Chicago, Illinois 60623        Chicago, Illinois 60623
                               312-535-3665

      
Objectives:

To introduce three mathematical operations -- addition, subtraction and 
multiplication -- by using Tic-Tac-Toe methodology

To introduce a new method in using the Tic-Tac-Toe grid.

To present a new method in problem solving.
                                        
Materials Needed:

Pencils                        Pieces of paper for computation
Overhead projector             Handouts of sample math problems

Recommended Strategy:


The teacher will write some math problems on the board to be explained to the
students.

Students will complete problems in computation on the Tic-Tac-Toe board or on 
paper.  The student giving the first correct answer will get a point.  The 
points will be totaled at the end of the game.    

Place nine students in a square resembling a Tic-Tac-Toe board.

Scores will be kept on a Tic-Tac-Toe board by an "O" or an "X."  The team scores 
by making a straight line of 3 O's or 3 X's. 

The O's will compete against the X's.

If the answer is incorrect, the problem will go to the next team for a correct 
answer. 

Players will rotate until all have had a chance to participate.  Blank Tic-Tac-
Toe symbols are given to students to create new problems.

The overhead projector will be used to introduce problems in finding the missing 
numbers.  For example, a blank square in the Tic-Tac-Toe grid would require the 
answer 15 to the problem "How much is 3 times 5?"  These problems will be shown 
one at a time to give students a chance to get the right answer or to ask 
questions about solving the problem. 

Conclusion:

        Students were introduced to Tic-Tac-Toe problems in addition, 
subtraction and multiplication and in finding the missing number. 

Reference:

Family Math by Leon Kerr Sternmark, Virginia Thompson, and Ruth.