The Experience of Mathematical Thinking

Posted on by Denise Gaskins

The full quote:

For children (and adults) who have always considered math to be memorized rules, the experience of mathematical thinking — though difficult at first — can be as refreshing as a hike in pure mountain air.

As in hiking, so in math: It’s not the destination that matters, but the journey. Yes, you could give your students a rule that would help them get correct answers, but that’s no better than riding a helicopter up the mountain.

Slow down and take the time necessary to let your children fully explore these concepts.

— Denise Gaskins
Prealgebra & Geometry: Math Games for Middle School

Excerpted from my upcoming book, Prealgebra & Geometry: Math Games for Middle School, scheduled for publication in early 2021. Sign up for my newsletter to get updates.

CREDIT: “On the edge” photo by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash.

A Gentle Reminder

Posted on by Denise Gaskins

Shaista is a homeschooling mom who read an advance copy of my new book. Her response:

“I want to shout from the rooftops about it. It’s a wonderful read on the importance of play in maths — and a gentle reminder for those of us who know but feel pressured to make sure educational standards are met … and in the process of ticking off boxes we sometimes suck the joy out of maths, instead of realizing that it’s a journey to enjoy.”

— Shaista

Prealgebra & Geometry: Math Games for Middle School is scheduled for publication in early 2021. Sign up for my newsletter to get updates.

PHOTO CREDIT: “Outdoors kids” courtesy of Annie Spratt on Unsplash.

Playful Math Carnival 139 at Math Mama Writes

Posted on by Denise Gaskins

Okay, yes, this link is way late. Again. It’s a good thing these math carnivals are full of evergreen fun!

[TEASER: Watch this space for an exciting announcement next week. I may not have been blogging, but I haven’t been idle…]

Meanwhile, do check out the latest carnival of games, activity ideas, and inspirations for mathematical delight:

Sue put together this summer collection of mathematical activities. She writes:

“Most mathematicians are in it at least partially for the fun of it. We like to play with numbers, shapes, and logic. The more you play with math with your kids, the more likely they are to enjoy it.”

Sue edited the wonderful book Playing with Math: Stories from Math Circles, Homeschoolers, and Passionate Teachers, so she knows all about the joy of learning math.

Each monthly Playful Math Education Blog Carnival brings you a great new collection of puzzles, math conversations, teaching tips, and all sorts of mathy fun.

It’s like a free online magazine of mathematical adventures, helpful and inspiring no matter when you read them. Enjoy!

Click Here to Read the Carnival Blog

Help Us Keep the Carnival Going

The Playful Math Blog Carnival wants you!

The carnival is a joint effort. We depend on our volunteer hosts to collect blog posts and write the carnival each month.

Putting together a blog carnival can be a lot of work, but it’s a great opportunity to share the work of bloggers you admire and to discover new math-friends online. I love that part of being a host!

Classroom teachers, homeschoolers, college professors, unschoolers, or anyone who likes to play around with math — if you would like to take a turn hosting the carnival, please speak up.

Playful Math 138 @ Math Hombre Blog

Posted on by Denise Gaskins

Wow, the pandemic and the lockdowns really threw me off-kilter. Or maybe it’s just that I’ve been mono-focused on finishing my new book. This poor blog has sure suffered lately.

Unfortunately, I let last month’s carnival pass me by. I only noticed it, because Sue put out a call-for-entries to her own carnival, which is coming soon.

But the last one was great, and you really don’t want to miss it!

Check out spring Playful Math Blog Carnival at Math Hombre blog:

John put together a great collection of number puzzles, games, and math art. Plus special memories of John Conway and Don Steward.

It’s like a free online monthly magazine of mathematical adventures. Enjoy!

Click here to go read the carnival blog

Continue reading Playful Math 138 @ Math Hombre Blog

Math Game: War with Special Decks

Posted on by Denise Gaskins

The all-time most-visited page on this site is my post about Math War: The Game That Is Worth 1,000 Worksheets. It’s easy to adapt to almost any math topic, simple to learn, and quick to play. My homeschool co-op students love it.

But Math War isn’t just for elementary kids. Several teachers have shared special card decks to help middle and high school students practice math by playing games.

Take a look at the links below for games from prealgebra to high school trig. And try the Math War Trumps variation at the end of the post to boost your children’s strategic-thinking potential.

Have fun playing math with your kids!

Continue reading Math Game: War with Special Decks

Math for Star Wars Day

Posted on by Denise Gaskins

May the Fourth be with you!

Here is a math problem in honor of one of our family’s favorite movies…

Han Solo was doing much-needed maintenance on the Millennium Falcon. He spent 3/5 of his money upgrading the hyperspace motivator. He spent 3/4 of the remainder to install a new blaster cannon. If he spent 450 credits altogether, how much money did he have left?

Stop and think about how you would solve it before reading further.

Continue reading Math for Star Wars Day

A New Take on Multiplication Flash Cards

Posted on by Denise Gaskins

Dan Finkel, creator of the Tiny Polka Dot and Prime Climb games, is running a new Kickstarter campaign.

If your children struggle with multiplication math facts, or if you’re planning to teach the times tables next year, you may want to check it out.

And do it today — Kickstarter campaigns are limited-time deals!

Continue reading A New Take on Multiplication Flash Cards

Playful Math Carnival 137 @ Life Through A Mathematician’s Eyes

Posted on by Denise Gaskins

Check out the latest carnival of playful math:

Ioana put together this April collection of mathematical activities. She writes:

“When I first agreed to do this Carnival, I could not imagine that I will be writing and preparing for it in lockdown. But here we are, a strange situation with a stressful environment. With this in mind, we have to hope for the better. With this in mind, the Carnival is split into Learning Resources & Activities and Relaxation Time. With all that is happening around us, we need to look for activities that relax us.”

Continue reading Playful Math Carnival 137 @ Life Through A Mathematician’s Eyes

Homeschooling Tip #1: Start with Play

Posted on by Denise Gaskins

For children, learning always begins with play. This is how they wrap their minds around new ideas and make them their own.

“There should be no element of slavery in learning. Enforced exercise does no harm to the body, but enforced learning will not stay in the mind. So avoid compulsion, and let your children’s lessons take the form of play.”

—Plato, The Republic

If we want our children to enjoy learning math, our first job is to establish an attitude of playfulness.

This is especially important for anyone working with a discouraged child or a child who is afraid of math. The best way to help a discouraged child is to put away the workbook. Try something different, fun, and challenging.

Continue reading Homeschooling Tip #1: Start with Play

How to Homeschool Math

Posted on by Denise Gaskins

Far too many people find themselves suddenly, unexpectedly homeschooling their children. This prompts me to consider what advice I might offer after more than three decades of teaching kids at home.

Through my decades of homeschooling five kids, we lived by two rules:

Do math. Do reading.

As long as we hit those two topics each day, I knew the kids would be fine. Do some sort of mathematical game or activity. Read something from that big stack of books we collected at the library.

Conquer the basics of math and reading, then everything else will fall into place.

Continue reading How to Homeschool Math