Or "How Math Talk is Like the Sex Talk." Did that get your attention? Hope so. but remember, this is a blog about teaching kids math, so... Only answer the question they ask. Parents joke about this rule as it applies to kids' questions about human reproduction, but it applies to almost any subject. Even... Continue Reading →
It's good to have quick and easy mathy moments at your fingertips for young children. Especially the kind that look like fun games. Today the 5-year-old was being...well...a 5-year-old. He was just home from school and his 8-year-old brother didn't want to play with him. So he lay on the floor and cried. I asked... Continue Reading →
I was recently asked to tutor a high school student who was struggling with natural logarithms and the number e. My first reaction was, "Oh. Crud. I don't remember that stuff very well." My second thought was, "Not an issue! My schedule is packed, and I'm not even available to tutor!" My third and more thoughtful reaction... Continue Reading →
"Pam. We're having a mathy moment over here. You'd better write about it." Thus spoke my husband. And he was right. He and the 5-year-old were spending quality time with the measuring tape. The measuring tape (the kind that a builder uses, that self-retracts) is a brilliant, simple, and effective way to get mathy with your... Continue Reading →
If you have Magna-Tiles hanging around your house, you no doubt have seen a lot of cubes built. Maybe you've even made a few yourself. In my house, these cubes become Hot Wheels garages and airplane hangars. Today they became a spatial reasoning and visualization tool. Take 6 square tiles and lie them down in... Continue Reading →
"Hey, Pam. The 5-year-old says you told him that there is no 15 when you count by 5's." Huh? It was 7:00pm, and the kids were brushing their teeth before bed. This is a time when the most interesting conversations tend to pop up. My husband was assisting the 5-year-old when this one happened. "Show... Continue Reading →
I've said it before. I will say it again. Games and puzzles are really and truly the best way to have mathy moments with your kids. First and foremost, they allow you to spend time with each other. Then there's the math part, which can be sneaky, right? I mean, you and your kid are... Continue Reading →
My children like math, but they dislike trying new foods. So, anytime I can connect math to food, there is the slim possibility of eating...even liking...something new. Pomegranates are not a common food in my kitchen, and I'll admit to being intimidated by them. That seemed good enough reason to buy a couple to see... Continue Reading →
The 8-year-old already describes himself as a "math guy." Though he loves to read, and he writes some very thoughtful things on school papers, he claims that he is "not good" at writing and that it is much too difficult and laborious (my word, not his.) There is nothing wrong with having a preference. And... Continue Reading →
Have you ever asked your child what 2 + 3 is? Or 3 + 4? Or 24 + 63? Maybe you've asked her what 2 x 5 is? Or 4 x 6? Maybe you even have a set of flashcards to organize this whole process. No doubt you know that it's very important to memorize... Continue Reading →
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