{"id":20189,"date":"2012-06-26T09:00:32","date_gmt":"2012-06-26T13:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/homeschool\/?p=20189"},"modified":"2015-06-11T16:04:28","modified_gmt":"2015-06-11T20:04:28","slug":"keep-math-skills-strong-during-summer-break-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehappyhousewife.com\/homeschool\/keep-math-skills-strong-during-summer-break-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Activities for Math Outside of Class"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following is a post from contributing writer\u00a0Stef.<\/em><\/p>\n

Math is one of those<\/em> subjects that if a child does not continually practice they will forget basic rules, become slow, and eventually become discouraged when the subject is even mentioned.<\/p>\n

I do not encourage a complete break from math during summers or long holidays, but rather suggest as moms we try to find unique ways to keep math practice alive over those non-school breaks. \u00a0A lot of creative math happens during discussions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Six<\/a><\/p>\n

Six Activities for Math Outside of the Classroom:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1. Count money<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Open those piggy banks and start counting coins or rolling coins. \u00a0It makes it easy for you to deposit and is great for those tactile learners.<\/p>\n

Ask questions:<\/strong> \u00a0What can we buy with that? How much more do we need to buy another Wii game?<\/p>\n

2. Grocery shopping<\/strong><\/h3>\n

So much math happens at the grocery store. \u00a0If it’s using a calculator to add up items, counting percentages off, weighing fruit, counting serving sizes, or adding up total savings — get math done at the grocery store.<\/p>\n

Ask questions:<\/strong>\u00a0 How much more does an apple weigh than a banana? \u00a0If I buy 3 more how much will I save? \u00a0It will take longer, but isn’t it worth it?<\/p>\n

3. Manipulating time<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An old clock is perfect for tactile learners!<\/p>\n

Ask questions:<\/strong>\u00a0What time will it be in an hour? \u00a0If Young Justice comes on at 6:00 pm how long do we have to wait?<\/p>\n

4. Cooking measurements<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The kitchen is another great place for math. \u00a0If you’re making an afternoon snack or following a dinner recipe, include the kids (boys or girls).<\/p>\n

Ask questions:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons, how many teaspoons would that be? If we need to double the recipe how much more would we need? \u00a0Let’s check it! \u00a0Again, this takes time so I do not encourage you doing this last minute.<\/p>\n

5. \u00a0Compare measurements<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Get out the tape measure. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ask questions:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0How much longer is your tub than you? \u00a0Find three things that are 4 inches. \u00a0How many centimeters would that be?<\/p>\n

6. \u00a0Get physical<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Take a walk. \u00a0Can you measure the distance on Google earth?<\/p>\n

Ask questions:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0If you walked that same route every day for a month, how far would that be? \u00a0How long would it take to walk to Disney Land?<\/p>\n

Simple ways to keep math skills strong require very little curriculum, but rather a lot of intentional time and discussion.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How are you keeping math skills strong during non-school times?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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