One of the greatest challenges we face in kinesiology is changing behavior--specifically, converting habitually sedentary individuals into active human beings. This task is not an easy one. Thus, when we adopt Easy Street strategies that focus on introducing, informing, and entertaining, we have very little hope of effecting such conversions. Easy…

The discrete dynamical system of absolute differences defined by the map [psi]( x[subscript 1] , x[subscript 2] , x[subscript 3] , x[subscript 4] ) = ([vertical line] x[subscript 2] - x[subscript 1] [vertical line], [vertical line] x[subscript 3] - x[subscript 2] [vertical line], [vertical line] x[subscript 4] - x[subscript 3] [vertical line],…

Magic squares have been of interest as a source of recreation for over 4,500 years. A magic square consists of a square array of n[squared] positive and distinct integers arranged so that the sum of any column, row, or main diagonal is the same. In particular, an array of consecutive integers from 1 to n[squared] forming an nxn magic square is…

This article presents several vocabulary-expanding prefix and suffix activities that will help students become master word builders. Games such as Base-Word Bingo and Spin-a-Word Game are great activities for practicing forming and spelling new words.

Three activities are presented that are designed to develop an understanding of equivalence. Equivalent fractions have the same value, but may be expressed with a different denominator or different notation. "Decimal Fraction Dominoes" focuses on the equivalence of commonly occurring fractions, decimal fractions, percentages and their…

In previous articles, the author has discussed dominoes, the real game with scoring, and other good games and activities using dominoes. But dominoes, as materials for game-playing, and as a topic for mathematics learning experiences, as suggested by Swan (2001) and Brandreth (1975), have many other possibilities. In this article, the author…

The author outlines a classroom tariff-setting game that allows students to explore the consequences of import tariffs imposed by large countries (countries able to influence world prices). Groups of students represent countries, which are organized into trading pairs. Each group's objective is to maximize welfare by choosing an appropriate ad…

The authors investigated the effect of action gaming on the spatial distribution of attention. The authors used the flanker compatibility effect to separately assess center and peripheral attentional resources in gamers versus nongamers. Gamers exhibited an enhancement in attentional resources compared with nongamers, not only in the periphery but…

This article presents the findings of a study examining the factors that motivate students to play computer games. The study is confined to older preschool age, a time when playing functions as the "leading activity" in ontogenetic development. Based on the findings of the study, the following are students' motives for playing computer games: (1)…

This note introduces an interesting random walk on a straight path with cards of random numbers. The method of recurrent relations is used to obtain the convergent probability of the random walk with different initial positions.

Traveling classrooms for carnival kids didn't really come on the scene until the 1990s when Linda Brewer, a teacher of the Conklin International Academy, helped the idea get off the ground. The trade publication "Amusement Business" lists 325 carnivals in its annual booking guide, but fewer than a dozen shows have schools because it is expensive…

The mere mention of a grammar lesson can set students' eyes rolling. The fun activities described in this article can turn those blank looks into smiles. Here, the author presents grammar games namely: (1) noun tennis; (2) the minister's cat; (3) kids take action; (4) what's my adverb?; (5) and then I saw...; and (6) grammar sing-along.

A study uses a thought-provoking, pencil-and-paper activity to aid students in writing organic reaction mechanisms. Organic and functional groups that constitute the formulas of organic and inorganic reactants, ionic intermediates, and products are presented as building blocks, which must be placed correctly in a given puzzle so that they bind…

Computer simulations of agricultural finance and management may be helpful to students preparing for agricultural careers. Simulations would provide problem definition and problem solving in realistic interactions with complex and ambiguous situations similar to those encountered in farming. The paper describes a major financial problem for…

This teaching guide is the first of three volumes designed to teach Afro-American children street/folk/musical games in the elementary classroom. It is one of the Interdependent Learning Models (ILM) whose overall objective is for teachers to use the cultures of their students as vehicles for teaching academic skills and content. This volume…