Mathematicians often know lots of mathematical facts, but more importantly, they think about math in different ways. These problems provide opportunities that encourage our children to work systematically. They also offer the chance to focus on reasoning and problem solving. ************************** THREE BALL LINE UP Age 5 to 7 Two children are playing with three balls,… Read More
This activity is an opportunity for our children to strengthen their ability to visualize. Visualization is required in two ways. First, our children must plan ahead so as not to leave impossible spaces. Second, they must try to turn each piece in their ”mind’s eye” to decide which is needed for a particular gap. COVER… Read More
“Pigeon Math” is about a pigeon who is trying to tell a story. Telling a story about pigeons should be simple. But what’s a narrator to do when the number of his feathered friends is constantly changing? A series of humorous events keeps happening, causing the pigeon to restart the story. Can our storyteller use math… Read More
The only rule for attending this party was … you MUST bring a hat. But what if you didn’t own a hat? Will bringing a monkey wearing a hat be enough? Find out in this tale that builds to a gloriously quirky, hilarious ending. *********************************** “Mounting exasperation, preposterous rules, and just plain fun make this party… Read More
Many of our children enjoy working on puzzles. They can be easily motivated to adopt learning strategies that will improve their puzzle-solving skills. These puzzles require patience… try working as a team. ************************************ Puzzle with the Digits 1-8 ********************************** How Many Triangles Are There?
When we look for patterns, we notice what changes and what stays the same from one picture to the next. Drawing or building the pattern helps us think about what comes next! Support your children’s thinking by working together using drawings and/or colored blocks. ********************************************* What do you notice? Discussion suggestions The pattern starts with 1… Read More
This game is an opportunity to help our children practice identifying shapes and combining shapes to make new shapes. It is also, of course, practice in being strategic in game playing. ********************************** FILL IT FIRST ! – A Family Game OBJECT OF THE GAME Players take turns spinning the spinner and coloring in shapes on their… Read More
The friendship between this unlikely pair of buddies shines from the first lines of this story. They are a team! They see each others’ good qualities, and when they make mistakes, there is no blame – they help each other out. ******************************* SLOTH & SQUIRREL IN A PICKLE Cathy Ballou – Author Kelly Collier – Illuistrator… Read More
When we look for patterns, we notice what changes and what stays the same from one picture to the next. Drawing or building the pattern helps us think about what comes next. ******************************* What Comes Next? Circles & Triangles What do you notice? What do you wonder? What comes next? Show or tell what the next… Read More
Good thinkers collaborate and communicate. These problems are ideal to work on with a partner. If we encourage our children to work in pairs or small groups and share ideas, they may learn to recognize that two heads can be better than one. *********************************** SORTING SHAPES Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level Sara and Will were… Read More
