Fraction Ball impact on student and teacher math talk and behavior

Abstract

We assessed the impacts of Fraction Ball—a novel suite of games combining the benefits of embodied guided play for math learning—on the math language production and behavior of students and teachers. In the Pilot Experiment, 69 fifth and sixth graders were randomly assigned to play four different Fraction Ball games or attend normal physical education class. The Efficacy Experiment was implemented to test improvements made through co-design with teachers with 160 fourth through sixth graders. Researchers observed and coded for use of math language and behavior. Playing Fraction Ball resulted in consistent increases of students’ and teachers’ use of fraction (SDs = 0.98–2.42) and decimal (SDs = 0.65–1.64) language and number line arithmetic, but not in whole number, spatial language, counting, instructional gesturing, questioning, and planning. We present evidence of the math language production in physical education and value added by Fraction Ball to support rational number language and arithmetic through group collaboration.