Writing to Learn Math: When students learn to visualize shapes, designs, and patterns, it makes them better at math.
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.
Once upon a time…
We were getting ready for the annual homeschool co-op speech contest, and a friend emailed me for help.
“Can you help us figure out how to figure out this problem?
“This is related to C’s speech. I think we have all the information we need, but I’m not sure:
“The average household income in the United States is $60,000/year. And a man’s annual income is $56 billion.
“Is there a way to figure out what this man’s value of a million dollars would be, compared to the person who earns $60,000/year? In other words, I would like to say—$1,000,000 to us is like 10 cents to Bill Gates.”
We found out later that her son’s numbers weren’t exactly right. He hadn’t understood the difference between income and net worth, so he made Gates sound richer than reality.
But the basic math principles never change, and it’s fun to play with big numbers.
Continue reading Homeschool Memories: Putting Bill Gates in Proportion
In this game, players practice multiplication facts and use strategic planning as they build 2-D shapes to block their opponent.
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.
Math Concepts: multiplication, area, 2-D shapes.
Players: two players.
Equipment: square graph paper (lined or dotty).
Writing to Learn Math: Math journal explanations avoid the formality that turns so many students away from geometry proofs.
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.
This game offers upper-elementary and middle school students plenty of practice doing estimation and mental math with fractions.
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.
Math Concepts: proper fractions, comparing fractions.
Players: two or more.
Equipment: one set of double-six or double-nine dominoes.
Writing to Learn Math: When students create their own math, they forge a personal connection to mathematical concepts and relationships. And it’s fun!
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.
This game helps young children build mental math skills. And it’s fun for older kids or adults to play along!
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.
Math Concepts: addition, number bonds for ten.
Players: two or more.
Equipment: one deck of playing cards, face cards and jokers removed.
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.
This game offers a fun twist on the old classic Battleship. Can you discover your opponent’s secret shape before they find yours?
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.
Math Concepts: coordinate graphing (first quadrant), simple linear equations, irregular polygons.
Players: two players or two teams.
Equipment: printed gameboard or square grid paper for each player, pencils, ruler or other straightedge.
Ever since the school year started, I’ve been getting questions about how to use my new Math Journaling Adventures logbooks.
[SIDE NOTE: These logbooks are included in this month’s Thanksgiving Sale! You’ll get an automatic 10% discount off all print books, applied at checkout, no special code required.]
“I love the way your math books get my children thinking.
“Finally, they are having fun with math!
“But sometimes I have no idea what the journaling prompt is all about or how to teach it. Where can I buy a solutions manual?”
Um, that’s not how math journals work.
The cool thing about journaling prompts is that they have no “right” answer. They are explorations into different parts of the world of math, nature walks in the land of numbers, shapes, and patterns. Springboards into whatever our children want to investigate, whatever sparks their interest.
A few of the problem-solving prompts may have specific answers, but it really doesn’t matter if our kids find the exact solution a math professional might give. If they write what makes sense to them, they’ve accomplished the goal.
If later, they think of something they hadn’t noticed, or they want to change their answer — well, that is mathematical thinking, too.
Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math 