The farther we go in math, the more division disappears. It ceases to exist as a separate concept. Instead, we learn to see division as: an inverse multiplication a fraction (ratio) a proportional relationship Each of these perspectives offers us a new way to think about and make sense of our calculations.

This game challenges upper-elementary and middle school students to reason about number properties. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. What’s My Rule? Math Concepts: Venn diagrams, factors and multiples, divisibility, prime numbers, and other number properties.

Writing to Learn Math: Problem-solving cares less about whether an answer is right and more about whether a solution makes sense. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: …

The methods in last week’s Advanced Multiplication post only work for certain numbers, but we have another, more powerful multiplication tool: We can always use a ratio table to make sense of any multiplication. Ratios are the beginning of proportional thinking. We can systematically alter the numbers in a ratio to reach any quantity required by our problem. Students begin working with ratios in story problems that help them visualize and make sense of a proportional relationship.

This equation game for elementary students builds creative, flexible thinking about addition and subtraction. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Target Ten Math Concepts: addition, subtraction, multistep calculation. Players: any number. Equipment: one deck of math cards, pencils and paper, timer (optional).

Writing to Learn Math: What did the author mean? Put the thought in your own words. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: …

Mental math is the key to algebra because the same principles underlie them both. As our children learn to do calculations in their heads, they make sense of how numbers work together and build a strong foundation of understanding. Remember that while mental math is always done WITH the mind, reasoning our way to the answer, it doesn’t have to be only IN the mind.

This game encourages players of all ages to think creatively with numbers. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Clock Math Math Concepts: arithmetic, number properties, mixed operations. Players: any number. Equipment: clock, pencil and paper or markers and whiteboard.

Writing to Learn Math: Research prompts help students view math as a human endeavor. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: Notice. Wonder. Create.

Once upon a time, when my kids and I were young… Later the same year, not too long after our discussion of the Bill Gates proportions, I stumbled on some more data. I discovered that the median American family’s net worth was $93,100 in 2004, most of that being home equity. This gave me another chance to play around with proportions.

This game challenges upper-elementary and middle school students to practice strategy and mental math as they race across a number chart. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Odd–Even–Prime Race Math Concepts: addition, subtraction, multiplication, odd and even, prime and composite numbers, strategic thinking.

Writing to Learn Math: When students learn to visualize shapes, designs, and patterns, it makes them better at math. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: …

Once upon a time… We were getting ready for the annual homeschool co-op speech contest, and a friend emailed me for help. “Can you help us figure out how to figure out this problem? “This is related to C’s speech. I think we have all the information we need, but I’m not sure: “The average household income in the United States is $60,000/year.

If you're into math education --- or just curious about how learning math could possibly be fun --- you'll definitely want to check out the latest edition of the Playful Math Carnival. It's a collection of awesome blog posts curated by John Golden and published on the Math Hombre website: Playful Math Carnival 183: Celebrating Mathy People The whole point of the carnival is to show that math doesn't have to be tedious or repetitive.

In this game, players practice multiplication facts and use strategic planning as they build 2-D shapes to block their opponent. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Blockout Math Concepts: multiplication, area, 2-D shapes. Players:

Writing to Learn Math: Math journal explanations avoid the formality that turns so many students away from geometry proofs. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: …

This game offers upper-elementary and middle school students plenty of practice doing estimation and mental math with fractions. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Domino Fraction War Math Concepts: proper fractions, comparing fractions. Players:

Writing to Learn Math: When students create their own math, they forge a personal connection to mathematical concepts and relationships. And it’s fun! Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: …

The question came up on a homeschool math forum: “My first grader and I were playing with equivalent expressions. We were trying to see how many ways we could write the value ‘3.’ “He wrote down 10 – 2 × 3 + 1. “When I tried to explain the problem with his calculation, he got frustrated and didn’t want to do math.

This game helps young children build mental math skills. And it's fun for older kids or adults to play along! Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Nine Cards Math Concepts: addition, number bonds for ten.

Writing to Learn Math: What did the author mean? Put the thought in your own words. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: …

I've been getting questions about my Math Journaling Adventures books: "I'm so excited to try math journaling! We bought your Logbook Alpha, and my 11-year-old math-averse son is trying to be a math rebel at every turn. "But I feel uncomfortable with the idea of rebellion. Doesn't he need to learn how to solve math problems the right way?" One of my favorite things about math is that there really is no "right" way to solve math problems.

This game offers a fun twist on the old classic Battleship. Can you discover your opponent's secret shape before they find yours? Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Hidden Hexagon Math Concepts: coordinate graphing (first quadrant), simple linear equations, irregular polygons.

Writing to Learn Math: Number play doesn’t have to follow school math methods. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: Notice. Wonder. Create.

Over the course of this series, we’ve seen how mental math relies on a child’s own creative ways of thinking. In mental math, children develop understanding of how numbers interact with each other in many ways. In this way, they learn the true 3R’s of math: to Recognize and Reason about the Relationships between numbers. And the principles that underlie mental calculation are also fundamental to algebra, so that flexibility and confidence in mental math is one of the best predictors of success in high school math and beyond.