Ideas For More Engaging Math Time
Fun Counts!
It isn't too far into the homeschool year when the typical approach to teaching and learning math concepts, start to get a bit tired. Worksheets, computer games, and memorizing math facts certainly have their place in the subject, but I didn't want to resort to relying on these tools alone. In our homeschool math time, I wanted laughs, challenges, hands-on activities that would inspire my young ones to look forward to math. My goal for them was not only to master the topics, but to engage them in unique ways that would have them actively participating in growing their skills.
You Do The Math...
Smiles + Math = Success!
We've all had the experience ourselves, or the eyewitness account, of tears while working those math problems. If there was any way I could avoid that deep, depleting frustration in my own kids while practicing math, I wanted to. Of course, as they grow and get further down the number line of math topics, I understand we may face some obstacles, but while laying the foundations of learning in the elementary years, it was important to me to keep them open to learning math, instead of building a mental wall against it.
So what's the equation for making math time a happy and productive time?
I've started a list of ideas below that I hope will add up to a whole lot of fun for your math wizards!
#1. Multiply the fun
One of the ways I have added fun to math time, is by creating games where they
can get more hands-on, or stay active when it comes to collecting answers.
From simply cutting up worksheets to use as game cards, to creating a twister
number comparison board, there's been quite an array of ways I've been able to increase the fun. Turning a math topic into a knock-it-down or toss-it-in style game is another sure way to keep the desire to practice math positive.
#2. ADD the interest
Supplying them with math activities that involve the element of surprise has been
very instrumental in advancing their math skills. The eagerness to "find out what's
inside" or "what's going to pop out" has engaged them on more levels just
solving an equation. Math becomes interesting and more relatable. Include ideas
that require they dig out a number, or where they can sink their hands into
foam or slime to retrieve digits. An unexpected number popping out from a
balloon, or reaction earned from a correct answer, will keep your young learner
invested in the idea that math is intriguing, not dull.
#3. Subtract the rush
As we know with math, getting to the answer isn't always the goal. What's more
valuable than the arriving at the correct answer is understanding the process. My
constant reminder to my own kids, is that math takes time, time where you have
to be patient in your work and showing it. So often, my kids want to rush to the
answer to be done, but don't realize that by forcing themselves to rush, they are
causing themselves frustration and pressure. Teaching them to slow down, sitting
through it together, and gentle reminders that investing themselves in the math
process, is what will lead to greater gains in the math department.
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