Reviewing math concepts is a necessary activity. It provides students a chance to practice their skills and teachers an opportunity to assess each student's abilities. Taking time to review also provides a way to address multiple learning styles. This coloring based review is particularly useful for spatial and tactile learners through it's use of shapes and coloring.
Supplies Needed for the Activity
There are three primary supplies necessary for a math coloring project; a picture, colors, and a topic. The picture needs to be able to be divided into parts for coloring and can be a simple coloring picture from a book or online, or students can draw their own. Colors can be whatever is easily available or can be brought in by students, such as crayons, colored pencils or markers.
The topic needs to be carefully chosen so students can create a key. Ideal choices are problems that will result in unique answers instead of a range, such as evaluating arithmetic problems or solving algebraic equations. In the case of an end of unit or semester review students could each be assigned different topics.
Student Part of the Math Coloring Review
First, each student, or group of two, is assigned a topic and how many problems to create. They then choose or draw a picture and divide it into parts, one part for each problem. The next step is to create a key for colors and begin creating problems. As students create each problem they write the problem in the key for the correct color and the answer on the part of the picture.
It is useful for students to have three copies of the picture while creating the final product. One is colored in advance so they have a visual of what they are creating with the problems. The second is used to create the key, list the problems, and will be turned in. The third should be solved by the student or a partner in order to determine if the problems and the key are correct. Depending on the students, it might also be useful to have a spare copy or two in case mistakes are made.
Group Assessment of the Math Review
A coloring project used as a math review can be assessed by classmates. This has a dual role of providing more practice while allowing students to check the problems created by their classmates. Students' sheets containing the key and problems can be copied and randomly passed out. Then, the class can solve the problems, while coloring, and evaluate their classmates on accuracy and creativity.
Having students create problems helps them review learned material and gain a deeper understanding of the topic. The coloring and image component to the activity helps to engage all students by encompassing different learning styles and adding an element of fun.
Related articles: Project Based Review Assignments, Creating Lessons Using Different Learning Styles
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