Category Archives: Math

Finding a Routine at Home

I am missing my routine already. Maybe your are too. Here is a plan for gathering ideas for your children’s ‘new’ daily routine.

I put together a brainstorming sheet so you can come up with ideas that suit your individual child and family situation. You can brainstorm ideas in four areas: creativity, outdoor activity, academics, and service. This pdf includes a checklist for your child (you could say something like ‘no video games until the checklist is finished’). I also created a sample brainstorming sheet filled in with different ideas I might use. This morning, I noticed that many of the online websites that I’ve seen recommended are having issues, probably too much traffic. Some of you may want ideas that are not on the computer so that your kids are off screens for awhile and so that you can accommodate all your learners. Some of your kids may be overwhelmed by too many choices so keep it simple, you can always revisit the choice/brainstorming sheet.

pic of checklist

(click the pdf below)

I hope this helps. 

IMG_8251 (2)It is intended to create structure while keeping things fun and keeping kids accountable without parental nagging (thus the checklist :). Your kids need you to be a calm in the current storm.

Sample Brainstorming for Parents

Brainstorming for Parents

(I am hoping to post a video in the near future, demonstrating some of the ideas. I would love your feedback.)

3 D Shape Mobile

3 D Shape Mobile

Free downloadable nets for 3D shapes at math-salamanders.com

My Coin Song

My Coin Song

A simple song that I wrote. I wanted the verse to start with what the child could see for easier recall – for example, a beaver. Thanks to the young student that helped me sing.

Another Great Review Game

I like this one, it’s fun. It’s called “PIG”. The idea is that a student can choose to turn over 1 – 3 cards but if a PIG card is chosen then the 1 – 3 cards get put back. (I keep out the used PIG cards to avoid the situation that there is only PIG cards left.) This game has shown me which children like to be risk takers!

Pictured here is a game to review reading 2 digit numbers. I have another set with multiplication facts. It could be used for sight words or letter identification or….

You might notice that the numbers and pig are done lightly in pencil – this is intentional – I have students that love to try and cheat!

This set has about 20 cards with two digit numbers and about 6 PIG cards.

    

Great for Kids and Card Games

A wonderful colleague gave me this idea.  So easy to make with box lids and duct tape. This card garage frees up little hands to sort their cards while still keeping them hidden and completed sets can lay on top.

You Spin Me Right Round

Working on angles.  Figuring out how one can turn 360 °.

Triangle Trusses Task

Triangle Trusses Task

“Why do we need to learn this?”

“You might want to build something someday.”

             
                  

 

Making the Patterns of Skip Counting Visible

Making the Patterns of Skip Counting Visible

Our brains learn better when we recognize a pattern. Many brains learn better when the information is visible. Movement also makes learning kinaesthetic. 

   
    
 

Learning To Tell Time

….and waiting for snack time.

  

Counting, Counting, Counting

My first thought was to start with the zero at the top but then I thought starting at the bottom would better portray that the numbers were getting bigger.