Prime Climb
Learning through play motivates students to learn math. No more math anxiety. Fun and games is the logical way to FIX the math education crisis.
- This site is created by Priscilla Allan to support my classroom teaching.
- My 2019 aim is for year 9 & 10 students to play Prime Climb weekly.
- Classroom teaching includes Prime Climb images to help scaffold students' learning.
- Using these resources without playing Prime Climb is not the intention.
- Prime Climb is available as a PDF & a board game.
Prime Climb Subpages: Teaching through the Prime Climb Theme. Creating a shared 'culture of the classroom' to scaffold deep mathematical and statistical learning.
- Prime Climb Play has a record of student's conjectures & related strategies that have been shared verbally on "Game Day Thursday".
- Prime Fractions explains why I think Prime Climb numbers are so powerful for teaching algebraic fractions.
- Prime Climb HCF LCM is for Data Projection in the classroom.
- Prime Climb Walls has PDF posters for the classroom wall.
- Prime Climb Presentations has the outline for student driven learning through conjecture and proof.
- Prime Climb Measurement
- Prime Climb Geometry
- Prime Climb Probability
- Prime Climb Algebra
- Prime Climb Graphs
Multiplication (Prime Factors) Examples
Multiplication (Prime Factors) Examples
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Division Examples
Division Examples
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Expanding with Prime Climb numbers
Expanding with Prime Climb numbers
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Factorizing with Prime Climb numbers
Factorizing with Prime Climb numbers
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Similar Fractions with Prime Climb numbers
Similar Fractions with Prime Climb numbers
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Composite Numbers
Composite Numbers
Composite numbers have more than two factors. In prime climb we can clearly see the prime factorization of composite numbers. For example 20 = 2x2x5 (Orange, Orange, Blue).
Composite numbers have more than two factors. In prime climb we can clearly see the prime factorization of composite numbers. For example 20 = 2x2x5 (Orange, Orange, Blue).
Can you create a mathematical game?
Can you create a mathematical game?
First discover what students are struggling with. Then learn why Prime Climb is awesome. Next start brain storming and trial some ideas.
First discover what students are struggling with. Then learn why Prime Climb is awesome. Next start brain storming and trial some ideas.
Does prime climb induce group mathematical flow?
The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Optimal experiences are thus something we make happen. (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi)
What are you learning when you play prime climb?
How about a pack of cards with Prime Climb Equivalent fractions - we could play SNAP!
How about a pack of cards with Prime Climb Equivalent fractions - we could play SNAP!
- Variables could also be used!
Card Game brainstorm:
- Card game
- Prime number cards
- Algebra cards
- Composite number cards
- Operation and equals cards are available to be used when required.
- These could be a different sized card. Smaller.
- Aim of the game
- To create equations which earn points.
- The person with the most points wins.
- The game ends when all the cards are used or unable to be used.
- Playing
- Each player starts with 5 cards which could be primes, composite or algebra cards.
- Turn
- Take a card from the pack and place it in your hand.
- If you can form an equation then place it infront of you.
- If you have less than 5 cards restock your hand.
Thoughts: This could also be played like scrabble, using the same set of cards.
Dan Finkel Riddles
Dan Finkel Riddles
Why Prime Climb?
Why Prime Climb?
Flow, especially group mathematical flow, enables students to learn fast and enjoy the experience. The images in Prime Climb provide a framework to introduce algebra in a visually powerful way. The social nature of the game helps students to bond in person, rather than in digital and fragmented ways (smart phones!). Relationships can be formed with all members of the class by mixing up the groups. Students are activated as resources for each other.
Flow, especially group mathematical flow, enables students to learn fast and enjoy the experience. The images in Prime Climb provide a framework to introduce algebra in a visually powerful way. The social nature of the game helps students to bond in person, rather than in digital and fragmented ways (smart phones!). Relationships can be formed with all members of the class by mixing up the groups. Students are activated as resources for each other.
Prime Climb has the potential to transform the culture of the mathematics classroom away from skill and drill and toward productive & creative fun. I trained as an Early Childhood Educator, in addition to Secondary Education, so I understand the importance of play.
Prime Climb has the potential to transform the culture of the mathematics classroom away from skill and drill and toward productive & creative fun. I trained as an Early Childhood Educator, in addition to Secondary Education, so I understand the importance of play.