I love maps. In 3rd grade, we did a map workbook and I loved it!
So, it is only expected that I would take a world map and place it on the dinner table. To keep it clean, I picked up some thick, clear plastic at Joann's and laid it on top.
Viola! I have a tablecloth map! Now, we can take those little stickers off our fruits and veggies and see exactly where our food comes from. The map is also good as a reference for school work and to prepare for massive trivia contests.
Bring it on 'cause I know where you live!
Math, Math - It's All Around You!
Practicing math facts and concepts is nothing new, but there are so many ways to practice besides flashcards. I thought I would share a few:
Let's Get Physical? Do you have flashcards? Use them in different ways.
First, spread them around a room or the yard. Then, ask your child to skip, jump, hop, jump rope or use tin can stilts to reach them. At each card, they must say the equation aloud and solve it. Then, they can pick up the card and return to home.
Another use for flashcards is basketball. Head to the court or just use a small ball and trash can. Give the child a problem. If they solve it, they get a point AND can shoot a basket. If they get the basket, another point. If they miss the equation, no shot, but give them the answer and return the card into the pile to try again later.
No flashcards? Grab some post-its and write your own equations (maybe 6's?) and hide them around the room. It's time for Hide-and-Seek math. The child looks for post-its (mulit-aged children can have different colored post-its and look for them at the same time). In order to find the next, they must solve the equation they find accurately.
Artsy?
If your child loves art, then practice math on the driveway with colored chalk. Give them a word problem (aka story problem, you are showing your age) and let them draw it out. Too many drawings? A quick spray with a spray bottle or watering can will clear the surface.
Use those old bath crayons to leave equations in the tub. Your child can solve them while bathing or even more fun, they can jump in the tub dressed and solve away!
Got an APP for that?
Sometimes technology is the place to go and there are great math apps and online games for math practice. Check out Everyday Math apps, as well as, sites like Multiplication.com for great resources.
Fun and Games?
Use 2 sets of flashcards or buy the pre-made game to play war with facts.
Some great games to support math are Sequence Numbers, SkipBo, Uno, Shut the Box, 7 Ate 9 and Rack-O. Strategy games are also terrific for folks of all ages. Try Blokus, Rummikub, Ticket to Ride, Othello and Wits & Wagers Family.
Do a search for dice games to find even more great ways to practice.
Don't forget to play store or let your kids spend real cash at the supermarket. Try letting them weigh the bananas and use a calculator to add up what you're spending. Get them involved in baking using the measuring cups. Real life math has the most impact!
Let's Get Physical? Do you have flashcards? Use them in different ways.
First, spread them around a room or the yard. Then, ask your child to skip, jump, hop, jump rope or use tin can stilts to reach them. At each card, they must say the equation aloud and solve it. Then, they can pick up the card and return to home.
Another use for flashcards is basketball. Head to the court or just use a small ball and trash can. Give the child a problem. If they solve it, they get a point AND can shoot a basket. If they get the basket, another point. If they miss the equation, no shot, but give them the answer and return the card into the pile to try again later.
No flashcards? Grab some post-its and write your own equations (maybe 6's?) and hide them around the room. It's time for Hide-and-Seek math. The child looks for post-its (mulit-aged children can have different colored post-its and look for them at the same time). In order to find the next, they must solve the equation they find accurately.
Artsy?
If your child loves art, then practice math on the driveway with colored chalk. Give them a word problem (aka story problem, you are showing your age) and let them draw it out. Too many drawings? A quick spray with a spray bottle or watering can will clear the surface.
Use those old bath crayons to leave equations in the tub. Your child can solve them while bathing or even more fun, they can jump in the tub dressed and solve away!
Got an APP for that?
Sometimes technology is the place to go and there are great math apps and online games for math practice. Check out Everyday Math apps, as well as, sites like Multiplication.com for great resources.
Fun and Games?
Use 2 sets of flashcards or buy the pre-made game to play war with facts.
Some great games to support math are Sequence Numbers, SkipBo, Uno, Shut the Box, 7 Ate 9 and Rack-O. Strategy games are also terrific for folks of all ages. Try Blokus, Rummikub, Ticket to Ride, Othello and Wits & Wagers Family.
Do a search for dice games to find even more great ways to practice.
Don't forget to play store or let your kids spend real cash at the supermarket. Try letting them weigh the bananas and use a calculator to add up what you're spending. Get them involved in baking using the measuring cups. Real life math has the most impact!
Mariah's Challenge - put a stop to underage drinking
In my "new to me" mini-van, I have the pleasure of having satellite radio. Oh, somedays, I play only the music of the 1980's and on other days, it is Broadway Baby! However, a few times this week, I have tuned into CNN. Yesterday, I heard the incredible story of Leo McCarthy who lost his daughter, Mariah (age 14) to a senseless drunk driving incident. Leo turned his grief and anger into hard work. He created an organization to offer monetary rewards to kids who don't drink before they are 21.
I loved this idea. First, educate middle school aged children about the dangers of underaged drinking. Educate them also about the dangers of drinking and driving. Then, offer them a financial payoff if they sign a contract and stay away from drinking until they are of legal age. Check out this incredible organization. Maybe it is one you want to support? Maybe you can share it with your church, synagogue or school ? To save a life is the highest ideal I know about. Check out Mariah's Challenge and then let me know what you think!
I loved this idea. First, educate middle school aged children about the dangers of underaged drinking. Educate them also about the dangers of drinking and driving. Then, offer them a financial payoff if they sign a contract and stay away from drinking until they are of legal age. Check out this incredible organization. Maybe it is one you want to support? Maybe you can share it with your church, synagogue or school ? To save a life is the highest ideal I know about. Check out Mariah's Challenge and then let me know what you think!
Celery! Crunch!
Don't roll your eyes! Celery is your friend! I saw you - stop the eye rolling! Let me explain. Celery is a free food meaning it doesn't use up your calories or points and actual gives your body fiber and digestive (aka calorie burning) work to do. Most of the time, I like my celery plain. But sometimes, I dip it in another freebie - mustard! Another free option would be to let it soak in some seasoned rice vinegar. What do you like with your celery? Crunch! It's Good2Know!
Save Everything in a Snapshot!
Our children are often assigned big projects that take several weeks to complete. When those projects are graded and return home, it is hard to imagine throwing out all that incredibly hard work. So, we take a picture. That picture then is printed and put into their schoolwork bin. At the end of the year, each bin is emptied. A handful of work samples and those pictures are placed into a narrow, scrapbooking container labeled with their name. This way they can reminisce reminisce about former projects without storing it all.
I'm BAAACKK!
It has been a very long time since I last wrote on this blog. Life got busy and I forgot how much I like to share little tidbits here and there. So, I am BACK! Mainly, many of the parents I work with each day have mentioned that they wish there was a central place to see my ideas and new items that are just plain Good 2 Know about.
Be only the look out for regular updates and information.
-Raquel
Be only the look out for regular updates and information.
-Raquel
The Arts for Kids
I have recently learned of the great arts programs for children at the local university (ASU). My children take both instrumental and dance classes. This summer they will do half-day camps through the university programs. Science and engineering classes are added to the list for summer. Whether you live in Arizona or somewhere else in the world, check out this great resource for classes that are well-organized, affordable and best of all, fun and inspiring for kids. Good2Know learning for kids of all ages.
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