Are You Using These Math “GAME CHANGERS” With Your Child?
Do you have a child who isn’t “getting it” when it comes to math?
Here are some ideas to try at home to help!
An effective math curriculum will include these game changers, but you can easily supplement ANY math curriculum or school experience by adding these ideas in!
Real World Numbers
When you’re trying to make sense of numbers, be sure to actually show how numbers are used in the real world. For example, a child who has cooked in the kitchen and measured with fractions will not be nearly as overwhelmed when 4th grade comes around and math includes fraction operations.
Likewise, a child who has helped a parent with measuring tape will not be nearly as intimidated with measuring and fraction concepts.
Bottom line: Be purposeful in sharing with your child how you use numbers every day.
Use Graphic Organizers
A common strategy taught in school right now is number bond math. Number bonds look like molecules with three circles with numbers in them (the largest number is inside the largest circle). They aren’t always in a circle shape. They can also be in other shapes. They can even be upside down or sideways.
Sometimes children must fill in an entire number bond with 3 numbers.
Sometimes the number bond has one or two circles filled in and child must complete the rest.
Number Bond Options can be found here (easy and difficult)
There are other graphic organizers such as bar models/tape diagrams. These are game changers when it comes to solving word problems and “wrapping one’s head around” what is going on in the problem. Singapore math is known for using bar models. We have purchased word problem books from Singapore.
Use Manipulatives
These are usually in the shape of colorful blocks that a child may stack or connect. They can also be in the form of base ten blocks that represent place value or counting bears. If you don’t have these handy, you can grab some small pieces of cereal (like Cheerios) or even beans. (Just be careful that your child doesn’t stick it up their nose or in the ear).
Manipulatives give a chance for your child to have concrete practice with math concepts before going into an abstract way of thinking. If something isn’t adding up right, they can go back and count again. Try pulling out small objects to count (even if it’s crayons or chocolate chips) the next time your child isn’t understanding a math concept.
I have used these blocks for YEARS with my own children and with tutoring children
Hundreds Chart
Hundreds charts are wonderful tools to have around. Not only do they help your child count to 100, but they also help your child to see patterns and complete addition and subtraction problems.
We have a Hundreds Chart I cut out and laminated. I keep it nearby when my first grader needs a little help and I’m busy with another child.
Children like to color hundreds charts. You can find them easily online to print off or even fill in the numbers.
Here is a printable chart option.
Graph Paper
While I haven’t had to use graph paper for my own children yet, it has come in extremely handy for some of my tutoring students. I have a couple of fifth grade students who have been learning to multiply multiple digit numbers. LINING UP THE DIGITS IS CRITICAL. Because my students were struggling in this area due to poor handwriting or muscle control, I suggested graph paper. It forces them to write one digit in each block. The parents and teachers have seen this tool work as a game changer in the children’s math abilities!
Get free printable math paper here!
Math Fact Apps
I have to include something regarding math facts, whether it’s addition and subtraction we are talking about or multiplication and division. The better a child knows addition, the easier subtraction is. The better a child knows addition, the easier multiplication is. The better a child knows multiplication, the easier division is. When a child has a solid understanding of math facts, even fraction operations are easier!
I have used math fact apps on a tablet or a phone. There are some that mimic flashcards. There are some that are game like. I like it best when practice is given, progress is tracked, and rewards must be earned again and again. One example of an app that does this is Teach Me Math Facts. You can create different profiles for different children. It tracks their process and requires practice and performance before rewards are earned. When they are earned, they are coins that must be spent. Once the coins are spent, the child must go back and do more practice to earn more.
If you don’t like any screen learning, that’s fine. Just find a board game or dice game to learn math facts and become fluent. Do this in elementary school to make middle school and high school easier.
Number lines
If there is one math tool that is not used nearly enough—it’s the number line. As a tutor, I regularly see students who just haven’t had enough exposure to number lines.
Have your child fill in number lines (you can even do this digitally with some online programs). Have your child draw some on their own, practicing drawing tick marks at regular intervals.
When children have a solid understanding of number lines, they find it much easier to understand addition and subtraction as well as rounding numbers. I have even worked with middle school math students that have and terrible time learning how to add and subtract positive and negative numbers due to their lack of number line practice in the early years.
Just like children have an “alphabet chart in their head,” they should also have a “number line in their head.” The lack of regular exposure to number lines decreases the chances that children have a number line in their mental toolbox.
You can extend number line practice by using some that skip count. I recommend starting with easier numbers like 2, 5, 10 and 100.
Here are some printable number line options.
Parents, YOU are your child’s most influential teacher. If something isn’t working, adapt! Your control is limited if you send your child to school. You will not have a say in the math curriculum chosen nor the teacher. Homeschooling offers freedom in choosing a math curriculum that fits your child. Many parents will use a different curriculum for each child. Thats “differentiation,” which was the EDUCATION BUZZWORD back when I was teaching.
SOAP BOX ALERT!
I tutor and I REGULARLY see some of the math that children are being taught. I haven’t made up my mind if it’s the goal of the curriculum companies to confuse the children or not, but I have seen many children left confused in math. Instead of teaching a tried and true way of solving a problem and becoming fluent in that way, MANY different strategies are shown to the entire class.
Different strategies are wonderful, but I personally like to save them for when the first one taught one is NOT working. And then, I usually teach it individually to a student in need. Children are so confused on how to solve relatively easy problems that you and I were fluent in solving when we were in school. (We even did MATH RACES ON THE BOARD).
Why are they confused? It’s because they are being shown too many different ways to solve the problem before they are proficient in one way.
Take charge, parents. It does NOT have to be that way. If you choose to homeschool to escape some of the math chaos and confusion, take heart in knowing that (for now, at least) you have the freedom to choose your own math curriculum—be it textbook based, workbook based, or online based. Some even come with instructional videos for the parent who needs some extra guidance!
Now, whether or not you take my advice on homeschooling, if you implement these math game changers, you WILL see improvement in your child’s math confidence and ability.
Remember, YOU are your child’s most influential teacher!