If you haven't already, break into your child's piggy bank. It's a great way to get mathy. Okay. Don't really break the bank. And certainly not without permission. But you can easily fill a few quiet moments with your young child playing with money, and in doing so, set the foundations for understanding many mathy … Continue reading Money Math
It was a quiet rainy morning with the 4-year-old. His brother was at school, he was playing quietly by himself (this is true!), and I was sneaking downstairs to tidy the house. Yes. I was really excited about tidying the house. This is what has become of me. I look forward to quiet moments so … Continue reading Wanna Play Checkers?
A recent 2nd grade homework assignment became the opportunity to delve deeper into math as well as to connect to family (again!). And it all started with the need for a ruler. "Mom, do you have a ruler?" "Oh yes. I'm sure I do...let me go find it..." "Never mind. I'll ask Dad. He'll have … Continue reading Math Rule(r)s!
Over April school vacation, we traveled to visit family. This was special for many reasons, not the least of which is that we have a relatively small family. (Catch the pun there? Ha!) The children no longer have grandparents from my husband's side, and the uncle we were visiting does not have grandchildren. I was thinking about … Continue reading Planting Seeds With Trees
This morning the 4-year-old woke early and asked if we could play cards. What I really wanted to do was put him in front of the computer (Spanish language cartoons...everyone's happy!) so I could stay in my peaceful morning zone, but instead I took a moment to breathe, poured myself a cup of coffee, and … Continue reading More War!
Wall Ball is currently THE game to play at recess if you are a 2nd grade boy. Or maybe just if you're my 2nd grade boy. It is a welcome change from the Pokemon card trading that was popular at the beginning of the school year. Surprisingly, both wall ball and Pokemon trading can connect to … Continue reading Screens and Wall Ball
This activity is awesome because you can do it with any kid who can color...your 4-year-old or your 14-year-old. Heck, a 44-year-old will love this activity, too. At it's basic level, your child will need to use some logical thinking to complete the activity. At a deeper level, this activity introduces the Four Color Theorem, … Continue reading Get Your Crayons Out
If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that comment...well, I'd have a pile of dollars, and we could get mathy with it. But if I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone say "I'm not a reading person," I wouldn't have many dollars at all. It is decidedly uncool and socially … Continue reading “I am not a math person.”
This activity starts out feeling crafty, and then gets a little unexpected. Prep ahead of time by cutting out long strips of paper. Colored construction paper would probably be best in terms of flexibility and fun. I started with some extra pieces of water color paper that I had lying around. They worked, but … Continue reading Cutting and Pasting Gets Mathy…and Moebiusy
A few posts ago, I commented on the brilliance of using car time, when your kids are locked down and not going anywhere, to talk about math. Well, bath time is like that, too! While your kid is not locked down (right? right), he is doing something he has to do anyway. Use that time … Continue reading Clean Math (a.k.a Tubby Time)
