The following math applet for grades 3 - 5 deals with communicating about mathematics using games. The specific game in this applet is entitled the fraction track. In this game, students use the interactive board provided in the applet, and play by moving their markers on the various levels of the track. The overall goal of the game is to have all positive and negative distances add to the total amount shown in the final fraction box. The game can be played in competition, awarding the first student to correctly move all of his/her markers to the right side of the fraction board the winner. The applet moves on to outline possible discussion to be used in playing this game, stating that teachers should ask students questions before the game is played. These questions could range from how the game board was constructed, to how the game tracks are related. To further extend the game students could even be allowed to design their own boards and incorporate a combination of fractions and decimals.
In reviewing this game, I found basically nothing but positives. This applet provides a fun way for students to learn about a subject that many students of this particular age seem to struggle with. By providing an interactive game like this, you as the teacher provide a fun yet structured activity that allows the students to explore the subject of fractions and equivalence in an independent way that still carries the guidelines that you as a teacher can control and provide. Essentially it allows for guided independent exploration, and helps to ensure that students will be interested in their learning.
http://standards.nctm.org/document/eexamples/chap5/5.1/index.htm
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