MATH FUN THIS WEEK
Last spring, when we had hit a road block with math, I made the commitment to playing a math game every school day with my kids . It was a huge success. Within just a few short weeks, my then 8yo (Mark), who had been struggling with basic math concepts, was making remarkable progress. It was also helpful to my other two boys. As often happens, life has been crazy, and we have gotten back in the mode of just "getting it done".
One day last week, Mark was not super into school -- not unusual for my gloomy Eeyore type 9yo. To change things up a bit (and possibly motivate him), I grabbed a math game off the shelf instead of moving on with his lesson. We finished to Mark saying "that was fun!" and asking his big brother to play with him. :) It was just the kick in the tushy that I needed to get back to playing math games.
So, I challenged myself this week. One math game or activity every day for one school week. We just started using Family Math, so, in some cases, our activity doubled as a testing session to see which activities we enjoy.
Our game/activity week (so far) in review:
Balloon Ride--- our first game from Family Math. Leveled "primary - jr. high", the boys loved this simple two player game! Since our first run, I have caught the boys playing it by themselves. The idea is to put the balloon strings (toothpicks) on the table and take turns cutting the strings--- one or two at a time. The player to cut the last string wins a balloon ride (wins the game :)). The purpose of the game is "to practice problem-solving techniques by trying to win a variation of an old Chinese game of NIM".
Another one from Family Math--- Target Addition. (above) In spite of the odd look on Paul's face, the boys enjoyed this one. A number is chosen between 35 and 55. Players "take turns placing a marker on one of the numbers on the board, each time announcing the total of the covered numbers". The player that reaches the exact target number on his turn wins. 
"Ten, Twenty, Thirty" is a sample game from Family Math- The Middle School Years. The goal of this game is to choose 3 cards that equal 10, 20 or 30. Directions are available from the above link. 
The "Bridges Board" was a bit of a dud. I am going to try to play it with my 6yo to see if it is a better fit. The level indicated that this activity would be appropriate for primary - jr. high, but there was just not enough strategy to this. I keep rereading the rules thinking I missed something... still puzzling it out. ;) None the less, Mark was enjoying his role as "game tester". 
Erin worked on DK Math Puzzles with James (6yo/1st grader) and "roll 10". They did not use the game instructions for the puzzles--- they just put them together. 
Today was a simple money game that came from Teacher's Mailbox magazine. The player moves around the board, picks a card (each card shows a set of coins), and if the card has enough money to purchase the item he lands on, the player stays. If there is not enough money, the player moves back one space. There is nothing ingenious about this game, but my 6yo thought it was great fun--- and his big brother was a good sport to play with us. :) 
So, three days down and two to go. The boys are enjoying the change of pace, and I am having fun getting to try out some new activities with them. I was going to add to this post each day this week, but I think it is loooonnnngggg enough! If we do something fabulous, I'll make it a separate post.
One day last week, Mark was not super into school -- not unusual for my gloomy Eeyore type 9yo. To change things up a bit (and possibly motivate him), I grabbed a math game off the shelf instead of moving on with his lesson. We finished to Mark saying "that was fun!" and asking his big brother to play with him. :) It was just the kick in the tushy that I needed to get back to playing math games.
So, I challenged myself this week. One math game or activity every day for one school week. We just started using Family Math, so, in some cases, our activity doubled as a testing session to see which activities we enjoy.
Our game/activity week (so far) in review:
Balloon Ride--- our first game from Family Math. Leveled "primary - jr. high", the boys loved this simple two player game! Since our first run, I have caught the boys playing it by themselves. The idea is to put the balloon strings (toothpicks) on the table and take turns cutting the strings--- one or two at a time. The player to cut the last string wins a balloon ride (wins the game :)). The purpose of the game is "to practice problem-solving techniques by trying to win a variation of an old Chinese game of NIM". Another one from Family Math--- Target Addition. (above) In spite of the odd look on Paul's face, the boys enjoyed this one. A number is chosen between 35 and 55. Players "take turns placing a marker on one of the numbers on the board, each time announcing the total of the covered numbers". The player that reaches the exact target number on his turn wins. "Ten, Twenty, Thirty" is a sample game from Family Math- The Middle School Years. The goal of this game is to choose 3 cards that equal 10, 20 or 30. Directions are available from the above link. The "Bridges Board" was a bit of a dud. I am going to try to play it with my 6yo to see if it is a better fit. The level indicated that this activity would be appropriate for primary - jr. high, but there was just not enough strategy to this. I keep rereading the rules thinking I missed something... still puzzling it out. ;) None the less, Mark was enjoying his role as "game tester". 
Erin worked on DK Math Puzzles with James (6yo/1st grader) and "roll 10". They did not use the game instructions for the puzzles--- they just put them together. Today was a simple money game that came from Teacher's Mailbox magazine. The player moves around the board, picks a card (each card shows a set of coins), and if the card has enough money to purchase the item he lands on, the player stays. If there is not enough money, the player moves back one space. There is nothing ingenious about this game, but my 6yo thought it was great fun--- and his big brother was a good sport to play with us. :) So, three days down and two to go. The boys are enjoying the change of pace, and I am having fun getting to try out some new activities with them. I was going to add to this post each day this week, but I think it is loooonnnngggg enough! If we do something fabulous, I'll make it a separate post.
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