Rice offers free math activities for children during COVID-19

The Rice University School Mathematics Project (RUSMP) is offering fun and educational math activities free to children stuck at home during the COVID-19 crisis.

The content is available at https://rusmp.rice.edu/resources.

Anne Papakonstantinou, director of RUSMP, said high-quality math activities are especially needed with children out of the classroom.

“There is an abundance of pre-K-12 mathematics and computer science activities, games and explorations for tablets, computers and smartphones that parents and educators can access to jump-start the interest of children,” Papakonstantinou said.

The curriculum section includes age-appropriate learning modules on geometry (grades 4 and up), measurement (grades 3-5) and personal financial literacy (kindergarten-grade 8).

RUSMP uses the Symbaloo platform to bookmark websites, web tools, iOS apps, games and coding resources for elementary and secondary students. Some of the tools feature books that can be found on YouTube and read aloud. Demos Activities for Elementary Mathematics, among the content found within the Symbaloo section, contains critical-thinking activities.

The From STEM to STEAM: Visual Arts Integration section provides activities that explore math within famous artistic masterpieces. RUSMP Director of Curriculum and Integration Robin Ward has curated an art gallery that includes lessons for children pre-K through grade 2.

“All you need is some paper and crayons,” Papakonstantinou said. “Who thought math could be so fun?”

Another favorite resource of RUSMP is Topmarks, which contains a variety of math activities for ages 4 and up.

“Our entire team is providing ideas to parents and teachers in the Greater Houston community and beyond and is always ready to help,” Papakonstantinou said.