Originally published December 7, 2011, but republishing because it rocks. I'm always on the hunt for ways to make math more fun over here, especially since math is not my forte. So when Maddy came home with 'play game with someone' as her assignment one day a few weeks ago, I was all for it. Mommy! I get to play a game for homework tonight! Let's start it right away!! Music. To. My. Ears. And the more we played, the more I loved it. And the more we played, the more Owen wanted … [Read more...]
bring STEM to life with Dash and Dot robots
When I was first asked by my friends at WeAreTeachers and Wonder Workshop to look at Dash and Dot, I never imagined that we would fall quite so hard for these two little, blue robots. As tiny and unassuming as Dash and Dot are, I really thought that they'd be no big deal--just another beeping, flashing something that my kids would play with for a few days and then drop like an old Micky D's Happy Meal toy. But no. Dash and Dot robots are seriously awesome. These robots teach kids … [Read more...]
cool, interactive tool for teaching kids financial literacy
Oh, friends. How I wish I were better about teaching my kids to budget, to stay on top of finances, and to save money. It's not my thing. But it should be. It should be everyone's thing. A basic necessity. As I reviewed the cool, interactive tools for teaching kids about financial literacy from PwC Charitable Foundation, this became crystal clear to me. And because April is also Financial Literacy Month--yes, it really is!-- what better time to share this with you than … [Read more...]
littleBits: the perfect toy for curious, creative kids
Are your kids into LEGOs? Are they into blocks? Do your kids totally love Minecraft? Do they love building and creating? If so, they're probably a lot like my kids. Sure, Maddy, Owen, and Cora love being outside, hanging with friends, and sitting in front of the ole telly, but the also love using their hands and brains to make things. They're makers, if you will. And if you have makers on your hands, then I'm betting they'll also love … [Read more...]
where to go for free homework help: Homework Help Desk
Now more than ever, I feel like I need a lifeline when it comes to helping my kids with their homework. Honestly, the concepts are getting difficult. Things have changed. Strategies are new, and problems seem crazy to me. I need help. I need to phone a friend. I need answers, and often, I need them quickly. That's where Homework Help Desk comes in. Or at least it came in handy this week, when we were working on Maddy's summer math packet. Here's … [Read more...]
school supply shopping: our NEW way to teach kids to be smart consumers
Every year, we try to somehow involve our kids in back-to-school shopping. When Maddy, Owen, and Cora were emerging readers, I created easy-to-read lists that we’d take on our shopping trips. The lists combined words and pictures so that they could more easily find what they needed. As the kids got older, we worked together to find the best places to shop, using the coupons and sales circulars to figure out the best deals. This year, we tried something new. I knew … [Read more...]
budget challenge for students: real-life money management and big $ for classrooms and students
Confession: for years and years I was the worst at balancing my checkbook. I thought something might have been wrong with me that inevitably, month after month, I'd find myself in error. Checks would bounce and payments would be late; it was often a mess. A hot mess. It was partly because I'd be lazy, or I'd forget, or I'd lose receipts. Maybe it was because I started managing money too late--as a college freshman!--or maybe it was because math isn't my … [Read more...]
easy, engaging fun for kids: tabletop surprises
This summer is literally moving at the speed of light. I can't even believe we're nine weeks in. It's insane. And it has been so much fun--I really just don't want it to end. This past week was particularly fun because we were able to check off some serious back-to-school shopping, and the kids crafted and created their little hearts out. Here's the skinny. . . Easy, Engaging Fun for Kids--Tabletop Surprises: Monday: Taking a new approach to the ole school supply … [Read more...]
birdwatching math puzzles: super challenging and tricky
This summer as we usually do, I'm trying each week to include some new and exciting math fun. In the form of puzzles or chocolate challenges or number games or just a new spin on old school problem-solving, any way we can pull in Especially this year we've loved the challenging puzzles created by Erich Friedman. These puzzles, you guys, are tough. This week we tried the Birdwatching Puzzles. Here's the skinny. . . Birdwatching Math Puzzles--Super Challenging and Tricky: The … [Read more...]
chocolate math: age by chocolate
Our tabletop surprises are rocking and rolling this summer, but one thing that really, truly got the kids' attention was our first (we have another planned!) chocolate day. The whole focus was chocolate, and friends, it was pretty sweet if I do say so myself. Who wouldn't like to talk math and chocolate? Here's the skinny. . . Chocolate Math--Age by Chocolate: The premise of this day's activity was twofold--1. figure out their age by chocolate; and 2. watch the … [Read more...]
camp google: ocean, space, music and nature weeks
Friends. I have been working with National Geographic Kids for some time now, as one of their 'Insiders' and honestly the coolest thing about it is that I get kind of 'behind-the-scenes' information that I can share with you. Honestly. Fab books, cool programs, you name it. And this summer, National Geographic has partnered with Khan Academy, National Parks, and NASA to create some really rockstar at-home 'camps' for kids. Really. It's called 'Camp Google', and of course, along … [Read more...]
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