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Homeschooling? Check Out These Math Goodies

How to Homeschool Math: A long page full of my best tips on homeschooling math in a low-stress, creative, playful way. No matter which curriculum you use—unschoolers, too!

Get regular email updates with playful math activity ideas and other fun tidbits when you join my email newsletter.

My Let’s Play Math Sampler ebook contains short excerpts from my most popular books. You can get it for free!

Thinking Thursday: Collatz Hailstones

Thinking Thursday math journal prompt

Writing to Learn Math: People learn math by playing with ideas. A math journal can be like a science lab book.

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.

Continue reading Thinking Thursday: Collatz Hailstones

This Puzzle Is Murder

cartoon detective

Do you sometimes mourn (in a small way) the loss of a favorite website? I still miss the Daily Set puzzle, which was part of my morning routine for years.

But lately, I’ve added a new teaser to wake up my brain for the day.

While Set was a visual-logic puzzle, this one is straightforward (though not simple) deduction. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Continue reading This Puzzle Is Murder

Math Game Monday: Double Digit

Learn a new math game every week, for free

This game pushes students to think more deeply about the meaning of place value.

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.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!

Double Digit

Math Concepts: place value, addition.

Players: any number.

Equipment: six-sided die, pencil and paper for keeping score.

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Double Digit

Thinking Thursday: Farmer’s Market

Thinking Thursday math journal prompt

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: Notice. Wonder. Create.

Continue reading Thinking Thursday: Farmer’s Market

Tasty Treats from the Moscow Puzzles

basket of apples

“Problems stressing deduction rather than calculation have a special appeal and value. They teach you to analyze, and to seek unorthodox ways of solving a problem.”

—Boris Kordemsky

Today I’m sharing a few treats from The Moscow Puzzles by Boris Kordemsky, which mixes classic brainteasers and original stumpers.

Recreational math expert Martin Gardner called Kordemsky’s book “the outstanding puzzle collection in the history of Russian mathematics.”

Have fun playing logic with your kids!

Continue reading Tasty Treats from the Moscow Puzzles

Math Game Monday: Farkle

Learn a new math game every week, for free

A great classic game for groups or family play.

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.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!

Farkle

Math Concepts: addition to ten thousand, probability with dice.

Players: any number.

Equipment: six six-sided dice, pencil and paper for keeping score.

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Farkle

Thinking Thursday: Lao-Tzu

Thinking Thursday math journal prompt

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: Notice. Wonder. Create.

Continue reading Thinking Thursday: Lao-Tzu

Rescuing Cool Math for Older Kids

mother and teen daughter do homework together

Do you have math dreams for your children?

Here are some dreams shared the authors of Avoid Hard Work!

For our children, we dream that mathematics…

  • … makes sense.
  • … is more than just arithmetic.
  • … is joyous.
  • … makes them strong.
  • … is meaningful.
  • … is creative.
  • … is full of fascinating questions.
  • … opens up many paths to solutions.
  • … is friendly.
  • … solves big problems and makes the world better.
  • … is a powerful tool they can master.
  • … is beautiful.
  • … lets them learn in their own ways.
  • … is connected to their lives.
  • … asks “why” and not just “how.”
  • … opens the world.

Continue reading Rescuing Cool Math for Older Kids

Math Game Monday: Decimal Point Pickle

Learn a new math game every week, for free

This game challenges students to think strategically about the meaning of decimal numbers and place value.

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.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!

Decimal Point Pickle

Math Concepts: decimals, place value, numerical order.

Players: any number.

Equipment: one deck of math cards, whiteboard and markers for each player, or pencils and blank paper.

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Decimal Point Pickle

Thinking Thursday: Mini-Biography 5

Thinking Thursday math journal prompt

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.

Continue reading Thinking Thursday: Mini-Biography 5