Fill the Cup

Four math games allow children to experience math concepts through manipulation. Rods is an addition/subtraction game that uses different sized rods side by side to show how two numbers make up another one. The child selects the rod that makes up the missing piece.

Fill the Cup allows the addition of fractions. Eight cups are filled by some fraction which shows on the cup. The child selects one to pour into a target cup, trying to fill it exactly. As the level goes up more difficult fractions are used.

Balance 1 is also an addition game. Two or three weights are placed on a pan on the computer side of the balance, and, depending on the level, the child must place one or two weights on the pan on their side of the scale to make it balance.

Balance 2 is for multiplication. This time a weight can be placed in various position on the balance to make its effect lighter or heavier. Depending on level, the computer places one or two weights, and the child is given one or two weights that they must place to make the scale balance.

The games provide instant feedback - the cup still isnt full or overflows, the balance thunks on one side, the rod is sticks out or doesnt reach - and allow correction. This builds confidence in the concepts and process of math rather than focusing on a single right answer.