Writing to Learn Math: Measurement is our way of connecting numbers to the things we find in the world, in daily life.
Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own?
Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: Notice. Wonder. Create.
“When I play math games, I want the engine of the game to BE math. Not some trick to get children to practice math facts. The only math games we play are the ones that fulfill that single criterion.”
—Sonya Post
Math is a world to explore, a whole ecosystem of living ideas that connect with each other in myriad relationships.
Multiplication connects to area, which in turn links to geometry and also to integral calculus. Multiplication’s inverse operation, division, connects to fractions, percents, ratios, linear slope, and eventually to derivatives in calculus.
Teaching math means exploring this ecosystem of numbers, shapes, and patterns, opening our student’s eyes to see these relationships.
But mathematics is also a skill. As our children come to know the creatures that live in this world of math, they must also master the ability to navigate the landscape.
Skills grow through practice, so our students need to practice math. But how?
What kind of practice best builds the skills we want kids to master?
Continue reading Playful Math Practice for All Ages
This game is great for practicing math vocabulary and strategic thinking with upper-elementary and older students.
Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!
Math Concepts: number properties, logic, strategic thinking.
Players: two or more.
Equipment: None necessary. Optional: printed hundred chart and pencil for each player.
Writing to Learn Math: You can spark creative thought by removing any need to worry about spelling or punctuation rules.
Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own?
Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: Notice. Wonder. Create.
We’ve been reading through Deans for Impact’s white paper, “The Science of Learning,” which summarizes cognitive science research and details how teachers (and homeschoolers) can apply this knowledge in daily practice. If you enjoyed Daniel Willingham’s book Why Don’t Students Like School, you’ll find “The Science of Learning” a handy resource, a concise and practical guide to the implications of research into how students learn.
The paper asks six key questions about how children learn and asks us to consider the implications for our teaching. This week’s question:
Because that’s really the goal, isn’t it? Life offers one new challenge after another, and we hope our children can transfer what they’ve learned to situations they never met before.
Subitizing means recognizing how many items are in a set without having to count one-by-one. It’s a strong foundation for early number skills, and this game is a great way to practice it.
Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!
Math Concepts: counting to six, subitizing with dot patterns, visual memory, matching sets.
Players: two or more.
Equipment: one set of double-six dominoes, two six-sided dice.
Writing to Learn Math: Games are the ultimate re-playable activity prompts.
Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own?
Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: Notice. Wonder. Create.
When two non-mathematicians meet on the street and one says, “I’ve got problems,” the other answers, “I’m so sorry for you.”
When two mathematicians meet and one says, “I’ve got problems,” the other says, “Oh, goody!”
—Herta Taussig Freitag
Whenever you get a group of mathematicians together, at least one of them will suggest a puzzle to play with. This is how mathematics grows, puzzle upon puzzle, generation after generation.
And since human nature hasn’t changed, we know that the same thing happened in the ancient Ptolemaic Egyptian of Alexandria.
So let’s explore a few of the math stumpers that enchanted those old Greek scholars…
This game helps players grow comfortable with all the attributes of linear graphs.
Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!
Math Concepts: coordinate graphing, linear equations, slope, intercepts.
Players: two to four.
Equipment: printed or homemade game cards, pencils or markers, ruler or other straightedge.
Writing to Learn Math: What did the author mean? Put the thought in your own words. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own?
Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: Notice. Wonder. Create.