I was wondering how to build on the mathy moment the 6-year-old and I had last week, when the moment presented itself. As he packed his backpack for school, I noticed that the kid was singing the 2's to himself...2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc. I asked him if he'd ever be able to get... Continue Reading →
Bed time has become more difficult for the 6-year-old since school has started. I think it has to do with adjusting to first grade. It's a big transition year, and he's got a lot of concerns that come up just as I'm about to turn out the lights. He's no dummy. He knows how to... Continue Reading →
The 9-year-old took the MCAS (the Massachusetts school standardized tests) for the first time last year as a 3rd grader. The results are in. I didn't show them to him immediately, though, because I wanted to be thoughtful about how I communicated my interpretation of the results and how I hope he will interpret them.... Continue Reading →
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 can't believe I haven't written about board games yet. If there is one and only one thing you do to promote mathematical thinking in your home, make it board games. Start with any board game. Yes, that means you may have to start with Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders. Ugh. My childhood memories of... Continue Reading →
Another bedtime math conversation with the 4-year old: “Good night, kid. I love you.” “I love you.” “Hmm, who do you think loves whom more?” “I love you two.” “I love you four.” Pause. Pause. There appeared to be thinking going on. I was expecting a 6, but then... “Mom. Why does 4 not come... Continue Reading →
The car is a great place to talk to your kids, because they can't get away from you. I have definitely used it for many challenging topics (“So tell me again where you think babies come from?”) Yesterday as we were driving home from school, I decided to try out the idea of mathematical functions... Continue Reading →
Tonight while putting the 4-year-old to bed, he told me that he didn't think he knew math. He said that he thought his 7-year-old brother was very good at math, but that he was not. Oh my. We need to nip this kind of thinking in the bud. But best to be careful about how... Continue Reading →
mathy moments 