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Category: Problem-Solving

The Two Most Important Questions to Ask Your Kids

The Two Most Important Questions to Ask Your Kids

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Okay, so I’m talking about the two most important questions you can ask your kids to help develop mathematical thinking. Wait! Don’t go. Math often receives short shrift. It’s unfortunate because math, taught correctly, teaches us how to effectively problem solve. It’s also the perfect subject to teach our kids persistence. Research has shown that kids who are persistent tend to do better academically. And doing well academically has great benefits in life. The two most important questions: #1: WHY?…

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Celebrate our Base 10 Number System! The 100th Day of School

Celebrate our Base 10 Number System! The 100th Day of School

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There’s no better excuse to have kids counting all day than the 100th day of school. Often, teachers have students bring in 100 of something that they sort into groups of 10 (you can also have each student bring in 10 of something and then combine them to make 100). Or maybe it’s a project made with 100 of something. Or making tally marks and skip counting by fives to 100. Whatever you choose, it’s the perfect way to celebrate…

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First Graders and Tape Measures

First Graders and Tape Measures

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Okay, that was fun! I handed my group of kindergartners and first graders tape measures (the non-metal kind) and told them they could measure whatever they wanted. What a hit! On so many levels. First, I showed them how they could measure how far they jumped. After being stuck inside all day due to rain, this was the perfect way to get them to move around a bit and still sneak in some great math. Once I showed them how…

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What is ‘Math’ Anyway?

What is ‘Math’ Anyway?

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Part of figuring out how to help kids grow up comfortable with math, is to understand what math is. If you ask a group of first graders to describe math, the responses are very similar. Math is adding and taking away. Older elementary students will add multiplying and dividing. When prodded to include more, there are often long pauses followed by kids giving the same answer but in a different way. Rarely does anyone describe math as shapes or patterns…

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