I always have tons of ideas for activities and games to make math fun for my kids, but let's be honest. Sometimes I'm more excited about the activity than they are, and it turns into a huge flop. Recently, however, I created what I thought was a super simple resource to work on shapes and logic, and was blown away by the response from my kids. To the point that they are begging me to make more! I would definitely call that a win, and today I'm Keep Reading...
Investigating Exponent Properties {FREE Lesson!}
Many of the topics covered in Pre-Algebra or Algebra are taught as "rules," "properties," or "formulas" to be memorized. And while it is definitely helpful to have certain properties or formulas memorized, I think it is much more important that these Algebra facts be taught in a way that is logical and makes sense, rather than simply telling students "This is true. Now use it correctly." If you let students explore and discover math truths on Keep Reading...
April Math Problem of the Day Calendar {FREE}
Are you ready for April showers? I don't mind the rain because it makes everything so green and beautiful and helps rid the air of pollen and all that other stuff that make my allergies go crazy! ;) I'm also excited about April because I have a brand new set of Math Problem of the Day Calendars to share! I'll be honest, March was so crazy and busy, I almost forgot to make these! But today they're ready, just in time to print by April 1st! This is Keep Reading...
Roll and Write: Number Practice Pages {FREE}
I'm a fairly new homeschool mom. We will soon be wrapping up our second year of homeschooling. While in some ways I feel like I've learned a lot and have grown in my confidence, there are other things that remind me I still have a lot to learn. (Maybe I'll have it all figured out by the time the fourth child starts school, haha!) The biggest thing I have failed to do well is focus on handwriting with my kindergartener and first grader. Because Keep Reading...
St. Patrick’s Day Math Pack {K-1}
There are so many fun celebrations in March as we look froward to Spring and warm weather. For younger kids, it's especially fun to celebrate Dr. Seuss and his many lovable characters. And of course as math geeks, it's essential to celebrate Pi Day (which also happens to be Einstein's birthday!). Then we celebrate St. Patrick's Day with shamrocks and pots of gold and all things green. Because my kids love themed lessons (and because I'm not Keep Reading...
March Math Problem of the Day Calendar
I have so enjoyed working through our February math problem of the day calendar with my daughter! She has enjoyed doing a problem each day and we've had fun talking about the date and learning a little from the calendar as well. And I was astonished at the amazing response from readers! I am so glad that so many others are finding this idea to be a fun and easy way to start the day with math! So today I'm sharing the March Math Problem of the Day Keep Reading...
Spring Themed Logic Puzzles {FREE!}
We've had a few days with beautiful weather recently (although at the moment the ground is covered with snow...) and it has made me completely ready for Spring! As I've been thinking about what kinds of resources to create and share in the coming months, I realized that I have not made any logic puzzles recently. These Spring themed logic puzzles are great for upper elementary kids on up, and provide a fun challenge as they begin to use algebraic Keep Reading...
Making Absolute Value Clear (With FREE Printables!)
One of the math concepts that I have seen students struggle with the most, and yet seems so simple at first glance, is absolute value. It often seems that the only thing students ever "get" from an absolute value lesson is this: absolute value = make it positive. That is NOT, however, the definition of absolute value, and therefore, becomes the cause of much confusion as students try to apply and use absolute value in more complicated problems. Keep Reading...
Building the Numbers 11-20 {Free Printables!}
After spending quite a bit of time exploring the numbers 1-10 (through counting, number bonds, and subtraction), I am now focusing on the numbers 11-20. Though my daughter can recognize and name the numbers, she does not really understand what they represent (i.e. she does not yet understand place value). To help reinforce the fact that the numbers 11-20 are equivalent to 10 + ____, I've created some fun printable pages to model these numbers Keep Reading...
“2×2=BOO!” Hands-On Multiplication Fun!
Multiplication is an incredibly important math concept for young mathematicians. It can aid in counting and problem solving, as well as helping kids increase their number sense and pattern recognition. When you are trying to teach multiplication, however, there are about a million different ways to approach it. Rather than trying to find the best method, why not give kids all different kinds of opportunities to see and make sense of Keep Reading...
