Spring Break Fun with math

Spring Break can give us time with our families to play games that we don't usually have due to busy schedules and TV. Here are some ideas that I hope you will try to adapt to math skills.

*http://www.jigzone.com/ I have found that children get frustrated when solutions aren't immediately evident. Working puzzles remind them that if it doesn't work at first to try other ways to reach an answer. This website offers many puzzles that can be adapted to all ages, pre-K to adults. Working a real one around the table is still preferred for a personal togetherness.

*Twister the family game: Numbers can be taped to each of the colorful circles, start with 1-9 then later you can use numbers 10-99. Pre-K and K can just identify the numbers as they spin and twist. First and second graders can add, subtract, +10 or -10 while third and fourth graders can practice their multiplication tables with the numbers they land upon.

*Shut the Box, a new game uses problem solving, addition, subtraction or adapted to multiplication/division.

*Yahtzee is a dice game we have enjoyed for years, even young children can roll while older ones help with the addition and multiplication of the score.

*Farkel is new for our family but fills the air with laughter when someone "pushes their luck".

May you and your family enjoy learning and being together.

Ball Clock

What a fun way to tell the time! I'm not sure you would want to wear it on your wrist but it is amazing that it is so accurate. Compare the time on your computer and you will see that time doesn't "fly" and when you say "Wait a minute" it is really longer than you think.

Ball Clock

http://abowman.com/google-modules/ball-clock/

Fun ways to practice math

The website Primary Games has other games your child can visit and enjoy building the combinations of 10 which is so critical in developing number sense. Some games I recommend are "Sumz" and "Digitz."

Younger children, Pre-k and Kindergarten children will have fun with "Fishy Count" and "The Sparkling Minds." Sparkling Minds includes Feeding Croogy to learn the value of numbers, and Something Fishy which deals with counting.

The older students can find practicing their math facts fun by playing Multiplication. Problem solving activities for them include "Make 15" and "Dress Up Addition."

Cool Website for teaching combinations of 10

The numbers 5 and 10 are often called the "nice" numbers. Any number you can mention is only 2 away from a 5 or a 10. This is why it is so important to be able to structure or take them apart in all the different combinations. Doing this will build "number sense" so that the children will not need to memorize or use their fingers to work problems. We encourage them to use mental math but first they must learn how to compose and decompose all the numbers. Playing the games Number Twins, Math Lines, and Numberz will reinforce the combinations of 10 and 5.