(and in other classes too... scroll down to the bottom of the page to see how)

I don't know about you... But, when my students (college students) are doing definite integrals, they are pretty much incapable of doing the fractions at the end! They pathetically grab for their TI-86's. Yeah, this is like shooting a flea with an elephant gun. While they are frantically typing in the fractions, I wait... and wait... then I pop out the calculation simply by hand before they have gotten to finish. They look amazed.

Here's how I encourage them to improve on their fractions:

We have "Fraction Wars!" We do the calculus part together then, whoever gets the answer first gets a mini candy bars thrown at them. The kids soon realize that the winners are doing it by hand and start trying it that way themselves.

You'd be amazed how badly they want to win that candy! Even if they don't want to eat it and pass it off to a classmate, it's the thrill of victory that counts.

The funny thing is that there are usually about 5 incorrect guesses before someone wins! I tease them by saying, "I don't have to bring a bunch of 5th graders in here to help you, do I?" Don't worry, they always take this well and laugh at themselves.

I restrict students to two wins per class so lots of kids get the chance to win.

What?! Throwing things in class?! Aren't I afraid of poking someone's eye out? 

Nope. I'm a good aim. I did nail a guy sitting the back row smack in the middle of the forehead one time. But, I was throwing with my eyes closed and my back to the crowd at the time... and he was SLEEPING! Lucky shot.  8-)

At this, a student said, "Hey, you should freeze the Snickers first - then you could do some REAL damage!"

They really get into it and it makes class really fun for the students... And it makes it really fun for me too!

By the way, I also throw candy on some other days and in other classes too. 

Have you even had to teach a class when you were super tired or didn't feel well? Well, when this happens to me, I grab the candy bag on my way to class. Anyone who catches me in a mistake (other than spelling!) get candy. Not that I EVER make mistakes, mind you... (right!)... If I end up not making any mistakes, I do some on purpose. Man! Does this get their attention! And I always end up feeling better to because I get to feed off of their energy.

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