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Algo Onslaught
A game for two to four on whole number arithmetic.
The significance of Algo Onslaught is twofold: First, it reviews the entire subject of whole number arithmetic. Second, it diagnoses deficiencies in the subject by subskill. The manner in which it diagnoses is explained under Algo Onslaught Cards and Algo Onslaught Scorecard. A unique feature of the game is that it doubles as a teaching aid. Examples of the algorithms for all four operations are given on the gameboard for the game, including examples of , , , and .
Algo Onslaught Cards (Operations: pp. 44-49)
Nearly 200 solved problems on whole number arithmetic. The key for the problems is on page 52.
The operations cards for Algo Onslaught are problem cards, four problems to a card—one on addition, one on subtraction, one on multiplication, and one on division—and are used to diagnose deficiencies in whole number arithmetic by subskill, each of which is addressed six times on the cards. To this end, the Algo Onslaught Scorecard (p. 53), together with Table 1 (03), provides a profile of the subskills a student knows and doesn’t know. By focusing remediation on what the student doesn’t know, instruction is streamlined for efficiency.
*Algo Onslaught is modeled after the diagnostic/prescriptive program used at that in just 2 weeks typically resulted in about 1 year of arithmetic growth as measured by standardized exams.
Algo Onslaught Scorecard (p. 53)
A record keeping instrument for the problems on the operations cards for Algo Onslaught.
The purpose of the Algo Onslaught Scorecard is to assist with the diagnosis of deficiencies in whole number arithmetic as explained under Algo Onslaught Cards. To this end, have students use the same scorecard every time they play Algo Onslaught and have them work each problem on the operations cards for Algo Onslaught once only. The objective is to have them fill in the parts of the scorecard that pertain to the subskills of whole number arithmetic that they should know already or are learning. A strategy for accomplishing this is to have them play the game for two or three class periods that they might fill in most of what they are to fill in and then to have them work from only the Algo Onslaught Cards for an additional class period that they might fill in the rest of what they are to fill in.
01-02, 04 xxx
Math Games & Activities, Vol. 2