My oldest were thrilled with this set of pattern block puzzles that I shared recently (get the entire ebook of puzzles here!) and so I decided to make a simpler version for my younger kiddos. These cut and paste logic puzzles are simpler (they are only 3x3 squares instead of 4x4) but still a fun way to get kids using their logical reasoning skills, and learning shapes and colors at the same time! Materials Needed for the Cut and Paste Logic Keep Reading...
Sidewalk Chalk Jumping Maze Math Challenge
After buying a huge box of sidewalk chalk (like, the second the weather showed signs of warming up), I began brainstorming ways to use it for outdoor learning. Obviously, my kids use it to draw and create, but I also love using it for math games and fun challenges. Especially if it means getting my kids moving while increasing their math skills. ;) We had so much fun with our Skip Counting Hopscotch, I decided to set up what is called a Jumping Keep Reading...
Pattern Block Puzzles {FREE}
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...
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...
Hot Chocolate Math Investigation: Estimation and Measurement!
My kids love hot chocolate. It's such a special treat! When the weather is nice, they love to curl up in the yard at night and star gaze with a large cup of hot chocolate. When the weather is cold and snowy, they love to warm up with a cup! The problem is, they tend to fight over silly things, like who gets which cup. Whether they want a particular mug, or a certain color, it drives me insane to have them argue over which cup they get! However, Keep Reading...
Creating Patterns With Skittles {FREE Printable!}
As I mentioned earlier this week, teaching kids to explore, recognize and use patterns is an essential part of math education. While students will eventually learn to recognize patterns with numbers and tables and graphs, it's important to start early with basic shapes and colors! And as I've mentioned before, what's more fun than learning math with Skittles? :) My kids had so much fun with these Skittles Pattern Cards, and even got busy coming Keep Reading...
Problem Solving by Finding a Pattern
One important math concept that children begin to learn and apply in elementary school is reading and using a table. This is essential knowledge, because we encounter tables of data all the time in our everyday lives! But it’s not just important that kids can read and answer questions based on information in a table, it’s also important that they know how to create their own table and then use it to solve problems, find patterns, graph equations, Keep Reading...
Problem Solving by Making a List
As I’ve mentioned many times, one of the main goals in mathematics education is to raise up confident problem solvers. And while there are many ways to go about solving math problems, and we as adults may often see strategies as common sense, these are things that need to be taught. Giving kids as many tools as possible will set them up for success so that you can “let them loose” and see their creative minds work and explore. To continue my Keep Reading...
Brilliant Ways to Use a Hundreds Chart
In my shopping for homeschool curriculum this year, I was able to find all sorts of wonderful math manipulatives at really amazing prices (thank you, consignment sales). *Please Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Feel free to read our full disclosure policy here.* One small thing I picked up is a hundreds chart. It doesn't look like much (mine especially, it's rather well used), but it's an incredibly useful tool for Keep Reading...
Math Curse Extension Activities! {FREE!}
Looking for a way to extend the learning with the book Math Curse? This free pack of Math Curse extension activities is a great way to help your kids see math in real life. Math stories are such a fun way to engage kids in math learning, as well as help them see math in the world around them. Stories can make math come alive and get kids excited! One of my favorite (and highly engaging) stories is Math Curse by Jon Sciezka. This hilarious tale Keep Reading...
