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10 Math Activities for ADHD Students

April 4, 2016 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

If you have a child with ADHD, you might find that sitting down to teach math is…a bit of a challenge.

Well, in my family, the word “challenge” isn’t quite strong enough to describe how difficult math lessons can be. Let’s try “cage match to the death”. I think that’s more accurate. 🙂

My wiggly kids resist anything that requires sustained mental effort, due to issues with executive function, so learning math concepts is their least favorite thing to do. As a result, I’ve had to take math off the page and into their hands to make some ideas really stick.

So – if your child with ADHD struggles with math, you might want to try these 10 math activities for ADHD students. They’ve worked wonderfully in our house!

Math Activities for ADHD Students

Image c/o: Nadezhda1906 / depositphotos

10 Math Activities for ADHD Students

  1. Use LEGO blocks to construct 3D Bar Graphs.
  2. Make Math Factor Snowflakes and hang them in your window.
  3. Show kids how to cut and paste simple repeating math patterns.
  4. Have children work out tens and ones with Unifix cubes.
  5. Practice math facts while doing a simple exercise or having a Brain Break.
  6. Teach math concepts in a foreign language, such as how to count in Spanish or Sign Language.
  7. Use math lapbooks to help kids visualize math concepts and memorize basic facts.
  8. Combine math with reading by using math storybooks such as Life of Fred.
  9. Drill kids on basic math lessons, including fractions, polygons, and telling time using flashcards.
  10. Create math art, such as coloring grids on graphing paper.

10 Math Activities for ADHD Students

Be sure to check out my ebook “Homeschooling with ADHD” for more help to teach your ADHD child at home!

DHD eBook @ Look! We're Learning!

Want even more fun math ideas? Try these book suggestions!

Fun Math Books for Middle School

And be sure to follow my Math Mania board on Pinterest!


Filed Under: ADHD Homeschooling, Homeschool Math Tagged With: adhd, adhd homeschooling, adhd math, homeschool math, homeschooling with adhd, math, math activities, math for adhd kids

Lego Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

January 14, 2016 by Selena Robinson 10 Comments

Roo is currently working his way through his first grade math objectives and it’s time to talk about reading and creating simple bar graphs. And what better way to learn just about any math skill than by using LEGO?

I’m joining up with the Early Elementary Blogging Team to share fun LEGO activities for kids in grades 1-3 today. In our family, we learned how to construct LEGO Bar Graphs for 1st Grade!

If you have a child who loves hands-on math, this is a simple and fun way to learn it!

Lego Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

Creating LEGO Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

In first grade, kids work on reading and making simple bar graphs. So, since we’d just gone to the store, I thought we’d collect data on the produce we currently had in the house.

Collecting Data for 1st Grade Bar Graphs

I really wanted to use oranges, but they were a little *ahem* expensive this week, so onions it is!

How to Collect Data for Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

First, I encouraged Roo to order all the objects he’d be representing. Apples in one row, onions in another, and bananas in a third row.

Comparing Graphs for 1st Grade

Then it was time to break out an anchor chart I’d made on graphing. Roo and I talked about how tally graphs, pictographs, and bar graphs were similar and different.

When he saw the bar graph, he said “Ohhhhh! I saw this before!” So we were starting out a little bit ahead.

Data for Creating 1st Grade Bar Graphs

I asked Roo what Duplo colors he thought we should use for each item. We didn’t have white, so blue had to do for the onions. But we wrote down each item and the number of each, so that he could easily create his graph.

Supplies to Make Lego Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

So we got out the LEGO DUPLO Brick Set and got to work!

Building Lego Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

Once he saw the anchor chart, he had a good idea of what to do.

Making Lego Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

Apples at the bottom, onions in the center, and bananas on top – just like in his ordering sequence on the table.

Building Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

Done!

Making Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

Sigh….order is lovely, isn’t it?

Drawing Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

Then we used the LEGO bar graph as the model to draw one on paper. Roo labeled his data and started drawing.

Creating Bar Graphs in 1st Grade

He took a few breaks to check his work as he drew.

Drawing Bar Graphs in 1st Grade

All finished!

Making Bar Graphs in 1st Grade

I love it when they look proud of their work!

Interestingly, I noticed as I wrote this post that Roo has on the exact same shirt for the activity this week as the one we shared last Thursday. I promise he has more than one shirt! He’s just strangely loyal to this one right now. Go figure.

Use Lego to Make Bar Graphs for 1st Grade

For more math ideas for kids, follow my Math Mania board on Pinterest!

LEGO Learning Activities from the Early Elementary Blogging Team

For more LEGO learning fun, check out the other activities from the Early Elementary Blogging Team this week!

LEGO Classification – Printable Diagrams from Life Over C’s

LEGO number line for Addition and Subtraction from In The Playroom

Hands-On Synonym Blocks Matching Game from Raising Little Superhereos

Spelling With LEGOS! from Preschool Powol Packets

LEGO Boat Engineering Challenge from Handmade Kids Art

Using LEGO to find Syllables from Rainy Day Mum

Area and Perimeter with Lego Duplos from School Time Snippets

Plural Nouns with LEGO from Still Playing School

Combinations of Ten Using Lego Figures from Lemon Lime Adventures

How to do an Lego Engineering Project for Kindergarten, First, or Second Grade from Thriving STEM

Estimating and Probability with LEGO from Planet Smarty Pants

Lego Bar Graphs for First Grade from Look We’re Learning

LEGO Irregular Verb Matching Activity for Second Grade from Sugar Aunts

Exploring Symmetry with a Lego Firefly from Crafty Kids at Home

Pick Two: A Fun LEGO Math Game from Creative Family Fun


Filed Under: Homeschool Math, Math Tagged With: 1st grade, 1st grade math, first grade, first grade math, hands-on math, homeschool math, lego, lego activities, lego math, math

Improving Math Thinking Skills with Redbird Mathematics

January 12, 2016 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

How many of you think that you’re “bad” at math? I didn’t think I was bad at it, but I didn’t think I was exactly good at it either. I mean, I can get through it, but it’s not a pleasant journey.

So, I was thrilled to get a chance to try Redbird Mathematics from GiftedandTalented.com! Since the program was developed by Stanford University, I knew it would be exceptional for teaching kids how to use mathematical principles to think their way through operations, rather than just memorizing them. And I wasn’t disappointed.

Read on to see how we used Redbird Mathematics to improve math thinking skills with our second-grader. Plus, enter to win a three-month subscription absolutely FREE!

Disclosure: I received this product in exchange for this post and I was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Improving Math Thinking Skills with Redbird Math

What If My Child Hasn’t Been Labeled as Gifted?

Don’t worry! You can still use Redbird Mathematics by GiftedandTalented.com. One of the things I love about this program’s philosophy is that “giftedness” should be the destination, not the starting point. Which means that your child doesn’t have to be termed “gifted” in order to use it.

Instead of being a program catered to gifted kids, Redbird Mathematics strives to help kids of all learning abilities develop their own mathematical gifts. And, since we’re trying to combat the “bad at math” stigma in our family, that’s a philosophy we can get behind!

How Redbird Mathematics Works

When you purchase a subscription to Redbird Mathematics, you’re not tied to a single grade level. The program covers math concepts from kindergarten through grade 7, so you can move up or down as your child needs.

Redbird Grade 2 Outline

If you’re unsure which grade level your child should use, Redbird Mathematics gives you the option to look at the concepts covered in each grade. Since Pooh was already familiar with the Grade 1 concepts, we decided to start with Grade 2.

Redbird Intro Assessment

Here’s where it gets interesting. Once you choose a grade level for your child, the program gives him or her an assessment test to see what concepts they already know.

Redbird Math 2

I’ll be honest: It was extremely tough for me NOT to help Pooh with the problems on the assessment. I had to keep telling myself “It’s just to see what he knows. He doesn’t have to get them right.” Eventually I just walked away. So this part might be hard if you tend to be a helicopter parent like *ahem* me.

Redbird Math 1

Once the assessment is complete, the program automatically chooses a starting point for your child. Then it’s time to get started!

How Redbird Mathematics Improves Math Thinking Skills

What separates Redbird Mathematics from other math programs (to me) is the way that the program encourages kids to think about math operations.

Redbird Grade 2 Intro

Pooh already knows his addition and subtraction facts through 12, but he had never used a hundred chart or base 10 blocks before. So it was almost as if he had to relearn adding and subtracting.

Redbird Lesson Outline

Frankly, it was as if I had to relearn them too. So, if you are used to teaching math in the traditional manner, expect a fairly steep learning curve when you first begin using the program.

I also found that it was not a program Pooh could use on his own. But that’s okay. I don’t expect a lot of independent math learning in second grade anyway.

Redbird Math 3

In the beginning of each lesson, Redbird Mathematics gives you an overview of what your child will cover, as well as a few sample problems. That’s really helpful, because it can help your child prepare for what to expect as the lesson moves along.

Correct

Here’s what I really loved: Pooh had to really use his brain to learn how to add with the hundred chart. For example, when he saw the problem “8 + 10”, his first instinct was to start adding it in his head.

Instead, I asked him to follow the program directions and learn how to find the same answer using the hundred chart. After a few minutes of practice, he got the hang of it.

Redbird Math 5

But if he already knows addition facts, what’s the point of learning to use a hundred chart?

Well – if he can understand how numbers are related to one another, then his ability to solve math problems becomes more flexible.

Redbird Math 4

As the program showed him, moving up and down by rows increases or decreases numbers by 10.

Redbird 100 Chart Adding

And moving left and right increases or decreases numbers by one.

Redbird 100 Chart Shading

Once he grasped that, he could find missing numbers in equations and alternate counting by ones and tens quickly. That’s good practice for counting change, telling time, and algebra!

Redbird Math 6

There were a few times that I supplemented Redbird Mathematics with some hands-on tools. For example, when we were learning about how to find the distance between 42 and 67 on the hundred chart and then place the resulting numbers in addition and subtraction equations, it was time to break out the chalkboard.

Redbird Math 7

Once Pooh saw that we were using the numbers on the chart to fill in an abbreviated fact family, he understood what to do with them.

Base 10 Blocks Overview

When Pooh finished working with the hundred chart, the program moved him on to learning to add and subtract using Base Ten blocks. That’s right. After learning to add and subtract with one strategy, Redbird Mathematics introduces another strategy to learn the exact same skills.

But here’s what’s good about that: If kids can learn how to perform the same operations with differing data, numbers, and methods, they begin to understand mathematical principles better. Which means they can use them in various situations with ease.

And that’s what we want, right?

Base 10 Blocks Intro

With the Base Ten blocks strategy, I also used a hands-on tool: Unifix cubes.

Redbird Math 9

Breaking the rows apart into single cubes to replicate the math problem on the screen really helped Pooh “get” what we were learning.

Redbird Math 10

As he found out, you can regroup 6 ones and 7 ones into 1 ten and 3 ones.

Redbird Math 11

Which means that 6+7 is equal to 10 + 3!

Base 10 Blocks One and Ten

And that is the beauty of learning to add in different ways!

If you’d like to boost your child’s math thinking skills, now’s the time to purchase Redbird Mathematics! You can score a 10 percent discount on a three-month subscription through February 1 with the promo code LEARNMATH! Just be sure to enter the code during the checkout process.

Now – on to the giveaway!

Ten winners will receive a free 3-­month subscription to GiftedandTalented.com’s K7 Redbird Mathematics: Advanced Edition – a $60 value! This giveaway ends January 28, 2016.

To enter, use the giveaway widget below!

 

Entry-Form

 

To learn more about Redbird Mathematics from GiftedandTalented.com, follow the company on the social networks below! And don’t forget to sign up for the Redbird Mathematics Newsletter while you’re there! You’ll find the signup form on the company website.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Google Plus

 

Filed Under: Curriculum Reviews, Homeschool Math Tagged With: curriculum reviews, homeschool curriculum, homeschool math, homeschool programs, homeschooling, math, reviews

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

August 13, 2015 by Selena Robinson 9 Comments

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

One of Pooh’s objectives this year is to learn to work with arrays.

When I was in school, we weren’t using arrays. We were memorizing addition and multiplication facts back then.

Now, though, arrays are an important (and helpful) way to understand adding and multiplying.

So I put together a math product: Apple Arrays! – A fun, apple-themed way to have array practice for second grade!

Help kids learn to use arrays when adding with these printable apple addition arrays for second grade!

By the way, be sure to check out our Apple Orchard Playdough Counting Mat for your toddlers and preschoolers!

Need to practice visual discrimination? Don’t miss our Apple Alike! Same or Different Worksheets!

Work on using arrays to add numbers up to five with these printable apple themed addition array practice printables! These are great for math practice in early grades!

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

To use these printables, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are included in this post. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Pencils

Printable Apple Arrays Printables for Kids

This product includes 16 worksheets that include both addition and multiplication for numbers 1-5.

Printable Addition Array Practice for Kids

If your students are still working on addition fluency, the first ten worksheets are all about adding numbers 1-5.

Apple Themed Addition Array Practice for Kids

A full answer key is provided, so the kids can check their work.

This is a great activity for practicing addition facts.

But if your students are ready for a quick introduction to multiplication, the last six worksheets are perfect for showing them the relationship between adding and the times tables!

Apple Math Array Practice for Kids

How to Use Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

I have to admit that when Pooh saw that there were multiplication problems on the sheet, his reaction was “TIMES TABLES????”

It was a dramatic moment, for sure.

But I used the first few pages to introduce him to using arrays with addition.

And then we talked about how addition with arrays is the same as multiplication.

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

This product focuses just on working with 5’s from 5+0 to 5+5+5, so you can use it to introduce times tables from 5×1 to 5×5.

The first set of pages contains apple arrays and written addition and multiplication problems.

Pooh and I looked at each row and column in the arrays to understand why we write those particular addition and multiplication equations to represent them.

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

Count out the number of apples in each row to find your first addend.

Then count the number of rows to find the second. Simple!

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

After he went through and solved the first set of problems, we used the second set of pages.

These pages have the apple arrays and addition/multiplication problems, but kids have to read the array correctly to fill in the addends/multiplicand/multiplier.

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade

Which he did on his own!

He was so excited to grasp how to read arrays and relate them to multiplying that as soon as Jay came in the door, he said “Dad! I learned how to do times today!”

Another one of those homeschooling gifts I’m thrilled to share with them this year.

Scroll down to get your copy of our Apple Array Practice for Second Grade!
Check out our other fall learning resources!

Pick up this printable fall books for kids booklist to keep track of the gorgeous fall stories you share this autumn!

This list of over 50 free fall printables for kids is perfect for educational fall fun!

If you need more suggestions for teaching multiplication, try these tips!

Ways to Teach Multiplication

Apple Arrays

To get your copy of Apple Array Practice for Second Grade, grab our 2nd Grade Learning Bundle! This bundle includes four learning printables designed to get your early elementary student off to a great year!

>>> 2nd Grade Learning Bundle <<<

Come along with the entire 2nd Grade Blogging Team for all of our Apple activities this week!

How to use an apple to explain basic fractions from Crafty Kids at Home

Apples Graphing Activity from Sallie Borrink Learning

Free Number Order Printable Apples from Life Over C’s

Preserve an apple from getting brown from Planet Smarty Pants

Apple Descriptions {adjectives} from School Time Snippets

Nouns and Verbs – Apple Theme from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Black and White Apple Prints: A Lesson in Contrast from Creative Family Fun

Apple Toothpick Tower Challenge from Preschool Powol Packets

Filed Under: Homeschooling Printables, Math Tagged With: apple arrays, apple math activities, apple math worksheets, apple printables, apples, fall math printables, fall math worksheets, fall printables, fall worksheets, homeschool math, math, math printables, multiplication, multiplication arrays, printables, second grade, second grade math

Free Printable Flashcards: Polygons

October 7, 2014 by Selena Robinson 6 Comments

Pooh and I were working on his math lessons using Khan Academy the other day and he ran into a little trouble when it was time to learn polygons.

He’s six, after all.

For our free printable flashcards series this week, I thought I’d whip up a set of Free Printable Flashcards: Polygons!

This set includes the eight simple polygons, which makes it easier for little ones to get an introduction to geometry.

Using Printable Polygon Flashcards

These free printable polygon flashcards are awesome for introducing preschoolers and kindergartners to basic shapes.

But since they include more complex shapes as well, they’re a good review for elementary students too!

If you enjoy using these with your students, check out some of our other math printables, including Amusement Park Addition Flashcards and our Aquarium Arithmetic Printable Pack!

Review basic geometric shapes with these printable polygon flashcards!

What’s In the Free Printable Flashcards: Polygons Set?

To use these flashcards, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Scissors
  • Laminator (good for cards you plan to reuse)
Polygon Flashcards for Kids

The word “polygon” actually means multi-sided shape.

So any shape with “many” sides counts as one. In this set, though, we’re focusing on shapes with three to ten sides.

Free Printable Polygon Flashcards

In the set, you’ll find flashcards for all eight simple polygons:

  • Triangle (3-sided shape)
  • Rectangle (4-sided shape)
  • Pentagon (5-sided shape)
  • Hexagon (6-sided shape)
  • Heptagon (7-sided shape)
  • Octagon (8-sided shape)
  • Nonagon (9-sided shape)
  • And Decagon (10-sided shape)
Free Printable Polygon Flashcards for Kids

There’s a set of all eight with words and without for quizzes or playing a game of concentration. Take a few minutes to quiz the kids with the unlabeled cards!

Or have them count the sides of each shape and guess which it is!

Printable Polygons Flashcards

Scroll down to get your copy of our free printable polygon flashcards!

Resources for Teaching Kids about Polygons:

For more great polygon resources, try these books and activities!

  1. Polygons Galore! by The College of William and Mary
  2. If You Were a Polygon by Marcie Aboff
  3. Learning Resources Power Polygons
  4. Shape Up! by David A. Adler

Polygon Activities for Kids:

Make learning about geometry into a hands-on lesson with these fun polygon activities!

  1. Popsicle Polygons – Every Star is Different
  2. Making Shapes – Kid Activities Blog
  3. Tangram Images – The Mad House

Stop by and take a look at some of our other math learning ideas!

Sidewalk Chalk Outdoor Math Game
Fun Math Books for Middle School
Math Activities for ADHD Students
These free printable polygon flashcards are awesome for teaching basic geometry to kids!

To get your set of printable polygon flashcards, click the image or the link below to have them sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our weekly newsletter this Sunday!

Click here to get your printable resource

>>> Simple Polygon Flashcards <<<

Filed Under: Homeschooling Printables, Math Tagged With: free printable flashcards, geometry, geometry flashcards, homeschool math, homeschool printables, math flashcards, polygon flashcards, polygons, printable flashcards, printable geometry flashcards, printable math flashcards, printable polygon flashcards

Ways to Teach Multiplication

December 24, 2012 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I have a confession to make: I’ve been secretly terrified of teaching Tigger to multiply. She has a small aversion to math (even though she’s good at it) and that makes introducing new math concepts a bit of a challenge. I also wasn’t thrilled with the way that I was taught to multiply, which was to simply memorize my times tables until I could recite them on demand.

In keeping with the Charlotte Mason philosophy, I wanted to teach math from a practical point of view. That means explaining both “what” and “why”, so that Tigger understands how math works logically. So, when I finally decided to start discussing multiplication with her, I came prepared.

Here are some of the ways to teach multiplication we used to help her grasp the concept!

Ways to Teach Multiplication

Ways to Teach Multiplication

To start with, I reached into the depths of our curriculum closet and retrieved a multiplication/division chart. (You can get a very similar one like it on Amazon.)

Multiplication Chart for Kids

We talked about what the chart showed and how the numbers are all related to each other. BUT we did not drill her with multiplication facts, especially at first.

I copied a very detailed anchor chart that I saw on Pinterest that demonstrated several ways to multiply. I like the fact that kids are able to learn so many different ways to multiply now, rather than having to force themselves to learn in one way.

If you want to make a chart like this yourself, you’ll need the following:

  • Chart tablet
  • Markers
  • Ruler
Ways to Multiply

The chart showed three ways to teach multiplication:

1. Repeated Addition: Show children to add the same number again and again until they reach the answer. (Example: 3 x 2 = 2+2+2)

2. Circles and Dots: Draw a circle for each time the number is multiplied and fill each one with the number of dots that corresponds with the number being multiplied. (Example: 3 x 2 = Three circles with two dots in each one)

3. Arrays: Make rows of shapes that correspond to the problem. (Example: 3 x 2 = Three rows of two dots each)

Of the three techniques, Tigger took to the circles and dots method.

Coming up to the board to work on the problems herself also seemed to help her stay focused, especially when her little brothers were also working at the table.

Trying Multiplication at the Board

(Pay no attention to the laundry basket on her right.)

The good news is that she learned her times tables through eight in one week by using the circles and dots method! We’ll be using both repeated addition and arrays in upcoming weeks to help her see the other ways to teach multiplication.

But – no matter how well school is going – we try to stick with the short lessons advocated by Charlotte Mason. Which means that after a while it’s time to drop everything….

Empty School Table

and dance!

Quick School Dance Break

(Pay no attention to the stroller standing behind the front door.)

Simple Ways to Teach Multiplication to Kids

Check out these other math learning ideas!

Apple Array Practice for Second Grade - Look! We're Learning!

Math Activities for ADHD Students

Free Printable Flashcards Addition Facts - Look! We're Learning!

And if you need more math teaching tips, follow my Math Mania board on Pinterest!

Filed Under: Homeschool Math, Math Tagged With: homeschool math, math, math for homeschoolers, multiplication, teaching math, teaching multiplication, ways to teach multiplication

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