Whoever said dominoes were just a game? I think dominoes are a great learning tool, especially for early addition. I bought my son his own dominoes and I sit him down with them and a piece of paper. He picks a domino and counts how many dots are on one side of the line and writes that number down. Then he does the other side and puts the + then the number. Then at first I have him count all the dots for the = I have him do about 10 problems at a time. After I know he is familiar with the dominoes with the + 0's, 1's and 2's, I separate those dominoes into their own bag and i have him pick 10 of those dominoes and have him count the two sides, but he trys to figure out the answer without counting.
He loves doing his math like this. It's so much more entertaining for him than worksheet after worksheet...and you don't need counters or anything other manipulatives.
Also, once they are getting good at memorizing the equations and answers, switch from dominoes to dice. Give your child a die and have them roll it and then roll it again and have them add the two numbers. Still worksheets aren't necessary! Also, at a teacher supply store they have dice that go up higher (like 20 sided dice) or blank dice. You can get a blank die and 2 normal die. with the blank dice put the numbers 10-60 on them and have them roll the ten's dice and then a normal one to get the first number like "40" and then "2" so 42 is the first number and do it again to get the second number and add them together for harder problems.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Map Storage--Really Cheap! Holds 8 maps
I bought 4 of the 8 maps to start out our homeschool with and just didn't want to spend the $90 on a map holder. So I had the idea to use the metal cube organizers from target, like these ones: http://www.target.com/Whitmor-Set-Storage-Cubes-Black/dp/B000LRBSFI/ref=sc_ri_1/602-3618519-8739042
In store they were only $12 and there was 6 cubes in the box (they have many different kinds and I got the cheapest). Instead of using the wierd connectors they came with, I used cable ties that are by the auto department in walmart. You get a bag of 50 ties for $1.23 I used about 4 bags, but that many isn't necessary. I made it 2 cubes wide and one cube tall. I found out the hard way that it's easiest to do the bottom, then one side then the back and then the other side. Then put all the shelves together (connect 2 cubes together) and then connect them to the rest and then put the top on last. The more cable ties you put on the more weight and the sturdier the shelves are. It works great and it looks good. Every horizontal line on the cube I made into a shelf. I had enough cubes so that there is a spot for 8 maps and I am just one cube short to make another shelf (there's room for just one more shelf) to hold cards or anything you want. Total cost for my map holder was just under $20. I bought another box of cubes and did the same thing that was just once cube by one cube to use for my 2 year old's wooden knob puzzles too. Finally they're more organized!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Language Arts Labels
It's been a while! Sorry! My kids and I have been sick all winter! I'm just getting back in the groove of things now and I have made several labels for language arts. I am using the Montessori Research and Development Manuals. I am making the labels for the Elementary level 1 language arts & grammar. These manuals are awesome and I highly recommend them. They are very affordable and great quality. So these labels go with those lessons, but can be used in your own lessons as well.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Large Number Cards
I thought this would be something I would just buy, orginally. I mean it's just $10. Then I found out that to do the activities with them you need 2 sets of large number cards and 3 sets of small number cards and then decimal cards! That's $50 +shipping without the decimal cards. Didn't take me long to change my mind, LOL. Here are my large number cards and instructions on how to make them!If you don't want to cut them from wood, make them from foam, cardboard or cardstock :)
(9) 2" x 2.5"
(9) 4" x 2.5"
(9) 6" x 2.5"
(9) 8" x 2.5"
Then you need 3 sharpies in red, blue and green. Write the numbers 1-9 in green on the pieces that are 2". Use a blue sharpie and write the numbers 10-90 (10, 20, 30, etc.) on the 4" pieces. Use the red sharpie and write the numbers 100-900 on the 6" pieces. Then use the green again and write the numbers 1000-9000 on the 8" pieces.**Remember to space your numbers nicely on the spaces. You should have 1 number for every 2 inches of the board. That way when you stack them ontop of each other you are fully covering the 0's underneath.
Hope this helps you! I'll be finishing up my small number cards soon too!
Fruit and Vegetable 3 part cards
Here are the fruit and vegetables cards I made a while back. I finally printed and laminated them! These are available to download for free on my website.
Ten Board
You make this the same way as the Teen board, same dimensions and everything. The only difference is you'll have the numbers 10-90 written, instead of all the numbers being 10. The little pieces will still have the numbers 1-9 on them.
Teen Board
I finished these boards up yesterday. I didn't finish the numbers to put ontop of them yet. They are waiting to be sanded. I've been sick these last 2 weeks with a head cold that just makes me so sleepy! Anyways, here's how to make the teen boards. Cut a piece of wood 16"x5"
another one that's 13"x5"
Then 9 pieces that are 3"high x2" wide
the 16" board will be separated into 5 sections and each section will have the number 10 written on it. The 13" board will be separated into 4 sections. The 3"x2" pieces will have the numbers 1-9 written on them. I just used a chisel tip (fat) sharpie marker in black to make the lines on them. You could also wood burn them in (which would be really cool) or paint them on or vinyl numbers, etc. Have fun! They're really easy to make and again, much more fun then cardstock. If you can't cut with wood, make them from foam sheets, or foam board, felt, etc. Use your imagination. I just think a more 3d object makes learning more fun than paper :)
Color Sorting/Color Wheel
I got this deviled eggs tray from party city this morning for $2. I painted the bottom of each egg a different color. Then I got my container of odd buttons that I have in my craft room and found 5 buttons of each color (well, I need 1 more dark green and 2 more orange that'll I'll buy next time I'm at the craft store). I tried to put the colors in order so it'd look like the color wheel so you could use it for those activities later on, but I was doing it off the top of my head quick and I know the brown isn't in the right place. But thought I'd mention it so someone else could do it in the right order, LOL. My 3 year old can't wait for the paint to dry
so she can get sorting!Sunday, February 24, 2008
Geometry!
I'm getting ready to start teaching geometry in the fall to my son. I just made the first and second series cards for my son. Download them free on my website.
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