Examples of Math at Home
People share lovely ideas about how families can be doing interesting, engaging math at home. Here are some examples, with commentary about ways to extend or alter them for children of different ages.
October 9, 2020 (Math for the Neighborhood)
When we say “math for the neighborhood” we are thinking of something Math with Me MN calls “Public Math.” They are encouraging people to create and share friendly, approachable activities, in their homes and communities; activities “designed to connect people to each other and to mathematics” and “to reignite joy and play in (distance) learning, and to maximize student agency.” Examples we’ve seen below; lots more of examples @MathWithMeMN. Also, #MathWalk, #SidewalkMath, #PublicMath
Sharing my math love with my neighborhood today! #dg58pride pic.twitter.com/7t6bP3bF1f
— Katie Hurckes (@khurckes) April 3, 2020
So in our village we have a bear hunt, a ladybird trail and now we have some path puzzles. #pathpuzzles #mathwalk pic.twitter.com/AtXv9rUJzR
— Alison Hogben (@AlisonHogben) April 8, 2020
I made natural, biodegradable chalk paint to math-up a walkway for the younger children in our neighbourhood.
Equal parts cornstarch and water and for this colour I added turmeric. #publicmath #sidewalkmath #sd38learn pic.twitter.com/FMi0P6JQc7— Janice Novakowski (@jnovakowski38) April 8, 2020
It’s a maze. Good luck! Let me know if you find a solution or if you make you’re own at home! @WestGeneseeCSD #mathwalk pic.twitter.com/HibW3WBSpi
— Joe Curtin (@westgeneseemath) April 28, 2020
Olivia didn't want to practice counting today. Welp, check mate dad skills. #daughterdad #mathwalk #thePound pic.twitter.com/quDLb54jXh
— Mr. Heintschel📕📝 (@MrHeintschel) April 3, 2020
My contribution to #mathwalks @traciteacher #iteachmath #MTBoS pic.twitter.com/yKnhoYNugY
— Thy Dinh (@Dinhclass) April 16, 2020
@MathforLove inspired fraction talk #mathwalk engaged all ages in math discourse on their exercise route this weekend! https://t.co/rFAz7sfq6Q #sidewalkmath #iteachmath #MTBoS pic.twitter.com/nAma6X7d9o
— Traci Jackson (@traciteacher) April 6, 2020
Decided to take part in #mathswalk for the MANY kids that live in my street. I pinched a question from #mathwalk. This is going to be fun! pic.twitter.com/OfvrFn1bqB
— 💙💛 Emma Cummings 💉💉💉 (@emmakaiako) April 15, 2020
#mathwithmeMN pic.twitter.com/RlxCDRk6Ze
— Tall Teacher of Tiny Humans (@Tall_Teacher1) June 2, 2020
August 14, 2020
Before and After. This game helps children practice what number comes before or after another number – or what’s one more (or less) than a number. You can write the number instead of rolling a die. Older children can practice what’s 10 or 100 more or less than a number.
Young children can practice their number sense skills by rolling dice and identifying what number comes before and after. Thanks to @mpalmer1073 for the creative way to work on counting!
@JackmanICS @OISEUofT @APHDatOISE pic.twitter.com/VDGdCuo8Dr
— The Robertson Program (@robertsonprog) May 13, 2020
Meal Prep. So many ways to work math into getting ready for meals, making meals, and cleaning up! (Thanks to DREME and Family Math.)
Meal Prep is a great place to find and talk about math in your family routine. Whether setting the table, following a recipe or doing dishes-there are places to FIND the MATH w/o adding extra time! Check out @DREMEmath @Inv3_Math @eriksonmath! #elemmathchat #iteachmath #MTBoS pic.twitter.com/RY3L4PeW5U
— Southern Nevada RPDP (@SNRPDP) May 19, 2020
Driveway Math. What math do you see? Can you make your own?
Engaging in math and art. We noticed shape, size, angles, lines, colour and balance. #dsbnmathartchallenge pic.twitter.com/cwfAnanzz4
— Wendy Smythe-Janese (@wasmythe) May 22, 2020
Garbage. A great game for 2-4 players, using a deck of cards.
This week's math game is Garbage – recommended by a colleague in the district. Focus is on reading, comparing & ordering numbers 1-10.
Full video here: https://t.co/xZdYJzmc08
Resource page here: https://t.co/Ub6Myp6gYO
Math games blog page: https://t.co/xZ6aHZFsx5#sd38learn pic.twitter.com/TJiKpY2b3O— Janice Novakowski (@jnovakowski_) May 22, 2020
July 17, 2020 (Math & Art)
This week we’re sharing posts that connect art and mathematics. We hope you find some inspiration in these Tweets!
Calling all @SWO_HWDSB makers, builders, architects & urban planners! Fun to build a cardboard city, town, house or farm! What different kinds of buildings, houses or stores will you want to create? Roads? Signs? How many? Possibilities are endless! #activityoftheday Cardboard! pic.twitter.com/xK1H6BCwqM
— SWO Library Learning Commons HWDSB (@SWOLearningCo) May 25, 2020
How do you count the hexagons?#HowMany?#unitchat pic.twitter.com/6zAgRaXlNA
— Simon Gregg (@Simon_Gregg) June 11, 2020
It’s a beautiful day today! Get some fresh air and sun! Collect some natural materials & interesting things outside – at a distance of course 😉 Create a beautiful mandala out of your found natural treasures! So much fun & a great #activityoftheday @HWDSB #shareyourart #hwdsbart pic.twitter.com/bQxiZbLtxh
— Karen Wilkins (@ArtsHWDSB) April 3, 2020
Do you want to do some amazing 3D ART this week? You could join in with my latest set of art 'challenges' at #ArtGoldmine and turn simple household materials into treasure! pic.twitter.com/1dM4KMf6ia
— Darrell Wakelam (@DarrellWakelam) July 5, 2020
June 26, 2020
Counting Books Looking for readalouds? Check out this library, with titles that explore numbers to 10, 20, and 100 and beyond, as well as ideas like 0 and counting by groups.
Made a COUNTING virtual math library for our early learners.https://t.co/G6GXVCMJXL pic.twitter.com/P4hgPIRjYQ
— Teaching Number Australia (@LFINaus) May 27, 2020
How Many? What can you count? How many do you see? How do you know?
How many? What do you notice? What can you count? What story is here? #unitchat #ElemMathChat #coreadvocate #tmwyk #HowMany #numbertalkimages @Trianglemancsd thanks for the How Many inspo! pic.twitter.com/Dktep3yC2a
— Annie (@anniesmith821) June 17, 2020
Dominoes What math questions do you see? Here are some: How many tiles? How do you know? … How many dots? How do you know?
Brought home a double set of dominoes from my classroom.
Any mathy ideas/uses for them? pic.twitter.com/VZPrAukxlc
— Mark Kaercher (@shskaercher) June 11, 2020
The Horse Problem Good for young and old alike. How did you think about it? How would you convince someone else your thinking makes sense? Acting it out can be a helpful strategy!
Need a math problem? Try the Horse Problem. Good for kids & adults. I just posted it on my Marilyn Burns Math YouTube channel. A way to keep busy as I'm sheltered in place. pic.twitter.com/Ki8kOGtyBm
— Marilyn Burns (@mburnsmath) March 19, 2020
How Many? What can you count? How many do you see? How do you know?
What will you count?
How many of that thing are there?
How did you count?#HowMany?#unitchat#numbertalkimages pic.twitter.com/fQodyVz5XB— Simon Gregg (@Simon_Gregg) June 16, 2020
4 Bags, 15 Pennies How many ways can you put 15 pennies into 4 bags?
Today’s #mathwalk is my variation on a problem from @CAMathCouncil June 2020 magazine #iteachmath #MTBoS @traciteacher pic.twitter.com/3WpBAtJsA4
— Thy Dinh (@Dinhclass) June 18, 2020
Homemade Curling Create a curling board? court? Practice curling and addition!
Practicing addition within 20. Homemade curling with spectators. At least this part of the floor will be well swept. @WestGeneseeCSD pic.twitter.com/8ZWlYyXvSP
— Joe Curtin (@westgeneseemath) May 13, 2020
June 19, 2020
Math with Water Balloons So many ways to think about this activity! Label water balloons with numbers, kids run to put them in order. Label water balloons with facts, kids run to put them on their sum/difference/product/quotient. What other games can you create?
Warm weather is here! Why not add some extra playfulness to the play? The task: be the first to get 5 water balloons in order from least to greatest. Don’t let any pop! You need 5! pic.twitter.com/A3zpdRiYml
— Melanie White (@MWteaches) May 15, 2020
Would You Get Rich? If you offer to do a chore for 1¢ on day 1, 2¢ on day 2, 4¢ on day 3, 8¢ on day 4…how much would you make in a week? 2 weeks? One month?
An oldie, but maybe not for kids at home. From The I Hate Mathematics! Book. pic.twitter.com/R9zFPtO7lf
— Marilyn Burns (@mburnsmath) May 20, 2020
Fraction Talks with Legos If the green Lego is one, how much is the brown? See the @up_teach timeline for many “remixes” of this image. Have Legos at home? Make your own!
Turns out the amazing #fractiontalks we shared last week was actually created by Amir's 5th-grade daughter, Maayan!🤯 Right?!
Let's build on her brilliance with a #remix #challenge. Details below.@FractionTalks @numbertalks #GirlsInMath #iteachmath #mathchat #LEGO pic.twitter.com/KGF5V6w8ia
— UpTeach (@up_teach) May 11, 2020
Toss and Add Make targets with different amounts. Toss small objects. Add your points. How else could you play?
Fun outdoor math game to play at home🍃🌺🌞! Toss a small object and add up the totals🖍️. You can even make matching equations with sidewalk chalk too💚💙! Love this creative game that you can modify easily too! 🙂😎#mathisfun #learningisfun #outside #kids pic.twitter.com/tLLjt8fFsn
— Britni Vienna (@MrsBVienna) May 12, 2020
Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe Learn to play Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe.
Here's my adaptation of Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe to work with Google Slides. Check out the video to learn how to play it and click the link to download your free copy of the file. Thanks to @benorlin and @JessicaTilli1 for the ideas. #distancelearning https://t.co/Zka5tkOezv pic.twitter.com/91B94Tv6ph
— Mike Flynn (@MikeFlynn55) May 22, 2020
Fraction Splat If the total amount is 7, how can you figure out how much is under the “splat”?
Passerby said, It’s you, the math bandit as I was writing today’s #mathwalk Thanks @SteveWyborney #iteachmath #MTBoS @traciteacher pic.twitter.com/vIJfumt7dN
— Thy Dinh (@Dinhclass) June 11, 2020
June 12, 2020 (How Many? Images)
How Many? How many pencils? How many erasers? How do you know?
Found this image and loved it. How many? How did you count? #unitchat #ITeachMath pic.twitter.com/hp6a74NN8O
— Kelly Shank (@shankifymath218) April 29, 2020
How many? How many squares? … How many squares are outlined with color? How many squares aren’t totally outlined in color? … How many squares are outlined using one color? two colors? 3 colors? … What else can you count? … And, always, how do you know?
Driveway art by @_jmnoonan #howmany pic.twitter.com/F1CtMKhD4t
— Heidi Fessenden (she/her) 🌎 (@heidifessenden) May 23, 2020
How Many? How many muffins? How many empty spots? How many muffins could you make? How do you know?
I love doing picture number talks with students. Couldn’t help seeing the math while baking. #iteachmath #MTBoS pic.twitter.com/MieciigHJ6
— Kelly Gartside (@KellyGartside) April 17, 2020
How Many? Can you find squares in the image? How many?
Neat image from @nytimes. pic.twitter.com/m4k1QwjZfz
— Dan Finkel (@MathforLove) May 12, 2020
June 5, 2020 (Geometry)
2-D and 3-D Shapes What can you find, draw, or build at home? What’s the same about 2-d and 3-d shapes? What’s different?
Things are really #takingshape. Rich convo with my kids about 2D shapes and 3D solids while building and drawing. #tmwyk #HRCEmath #homesteadmath
☑️ Notice and wonder
☑️ 2D shapes in 3D solids
☑️ Shapes in environment@OSullivanSonya @MrLittle123 @JkennedyJoanne @Mathinmind pic.twitter.com/xpEeTYAJsF— Aᴍʏ Sɴɪᴅᴇʀ (@asnider_teach) May 22, 2020
Cutting Sidewalks How many pieces can you make if you cut a rectangle with one line? with 2? with 3?
Here's the first activity in The I Hate Mathematics! Book. Good investigation when sheltering at home. https://t.co/zaO3jJTqxk pic.twitter.com/oo8xV10tRk
— Marilyn Burns (@mburnsmath) May 6, 2020
Sidewalk Math Make a design and then ask some questions about it! See sample questions at YouCubed.org.
This is why we love math so much! Mrs. Gruber-Kelley's class connected art with math using this wonderful design question:https://t.co/ulESRLiOzc Thank you to Mrs. G-K and her student for sharing! @wrdsb @youcubed pic.twitter.com/TRNIyuyGEi
— Northlake Woods PS (@NLW_PS) May 1, 2020
Toothpicking Do you have a box of toothpicks? Use them to tackle this challenge from Marilyn Burns.
Do you have a box of toothpicks? Here's a way to have kids use them for some math at home. From The I Hate Mathematics! Book. pic.twitter.com/i013Xal8sK
— Marilyn Burns (@mburnsmath) May 13, 2020
Sidewalk Math Have tape and sidewalk chalk? (Or, paper, a marker, and crayons?) Try this sidewalk math challenge.
Task:
Using tape in straight lines, create an image that has many triangles & quads. Colour each section with as few colours as possible (no adjacent sections coloured the same).
Follow up questions:
-what shapes do you see? Describe them
-find congruent angles or similar shapes pic.twitter.com/Lhed8tkwam— Mark Chubb (@MarkChubb3) May 19, 2020
May 29, 2020
An Array Hunt What arrays can you find? How many rows? How many columns? How many total?
Saw so many arrays on my walk today that would make for great number talks. #iteachmath #mathoutside #MTBoS pic.twitter.com/oasoLe4fCC
— Kelly Gartside (@KellyGartside) April 28, 2020
Shut the Box Practice addition combinations and think about strategy. Directions here.
Ask and you shall receive @MWteaches . So many Twitter educators have shared awesome activities. Here is a humble attempt at creating the purposeful fun of Shut The Box with egg cartons and rolled up tin foil balls. https://t.co/7yxGMMj82l pic.twitter.com/CEl9ryGduR
— Susan Carlon-Giles (@Carlongilesmath) May 1, 2020
Angles in Your Name What kinds of angles can you find in your name?
Thank you Methmi for creating this fun, Geometry Name Art project. There were many types of angles and lines found. Way to go! @WHGWashington @WhufsdRams #RamPride #RamFam pic.twitter.com/XVvymsbcQE
— Jill Sirlin (@JillSirlin) April 30, 2020
Measuring with Feet Measure something with your feet. How many feet is it? What if your younger sibling measures the same thing with their feet? What if an adult measures the same thing with their feet? Will their results be bigger, smaller, or the same? Why do you think so?
Use your feet to measure something today! What’s the longest thing you can find? Shortest? How many steps do you count if an adult measures the same item with his or her feet? What do you notice? Bring a clipboard with you and record your findings. #joyfulmath #MTBoS #homeschool pic.twitter.com/tMDkouSvn0
— Deanna McLennan Ph.D (@McLennan1977) April 24, 2020
Multiplication War Do you know the card game War? Here’s a version that focuses on multiplication, and has a strategic twist!
"If you’ve seen Dan Finkel’s Ted talk: 5 Ways to Share Math With Kids then you know choice in games is important" https://t.co/phYvNrO3Ul
— Jon Orr (@MrOrr_geek) May 1, 2020
Four 4’s The challenge: use four 4’s and any of the operations to make all of the numbers from 0-20. For example (4+4) – (4+4) = 0.
💡May the "four 4s" be with you! Can we find every number between 0 and 20 using only four 4⃣'s and any operation? Try these operators +, -, x, /, ( ) (brackets), . (decimal point), x2 (square), √square root and ! (factorial). #wcdsbmath @WCDSBNewswire https://t.co/lMOeW5jmxk
— Petra Le Duc (@DucPetra) May 4, 2020
May 22, 2020
Describing a Cube Can you find examples of a cube at home? How would you describe them? How many faces? How many vertices?
After doing a Shape Scavenger Hunt to practice the properties of 3D and 2D shapes, E describes the properties of a cube. There are so many benefits in hands-on learning! #trinitylearns #MBtos #virtuallearning #distancelearning pic.twitter.com/cfLiQNEEix
— Kerry Coote (@kerry_cootemath) May 1, 2020
A Venn Diagram Puzzle Can you find a number that fits each region in the diagram? Challenge: Make a Venn Diagram puzzle for someone else to solve!
Venn diagram #mathwalk today from @guardian Monday Puzzles by crafted by @alexbellos! https://t.co/rFAz7sfq6Q #sidewalkmath #MTBoS #iteachmath pic.twitter.com/MtPHkNXdtA
— Traci Jackson (@traciteacher) April 26, 2020
Sopa de Números What equations can you find? (Also, the Chapman #MathPlay Activity Series releases a new video for families every Friday at noon.)
Love Scavenger hunts!?! Check out "Sopa de Números" here: https://t.co/Y1CDHONcGI #CUMathPlay #MathEnCasa #BilingualEdRocks pic.twitter.com/MgjPa2oBry
— Dr. Cathery Yeh (@YehCathery) May 1, 2020
Roller Derby Practice sums, and think about strategy (probability)! Directions here.
L went for the fancy buttons in our Roller Derby rematch! It’s such a good game with lots to notice & conjecture about. As we tallied our sums, she decided we should use the buttons we pulled off the board if we could, which let us see our actual roles & initial placement. #tmwyk pic.twitter.com/II6gfOxBTD
— Mark Trushkowsky (he/him/his) (@mtrushkowsky) April 30, 2020
May 15, 2020
Math & Motion Do some math while getting some exercise!
Before lunch, I found my son and his mum playing a game on the drive. She was shouting instructions like “plus 3”, “take 2”, “double it”, “halve it”, etc. and he was scooting to the right number. Apparently he insisted on having 0 and -1 in the mix! pic.twitter.com/7Xmw58MG1d
— Peter Rowlett (@peterrowlett) April 27, 2020
Comparing Nonstandard Units Find different objects you can use to measure length. Compare how many of each it takes to measure the same length. Which results in the largest measurement? the shortest? Why do you think that is?
#Nonstandard units of #measure that may be found @ home. Which unit would you choose to measure the length of…
✅ a table?
✅ a foot?
✅ a door?Why did you choose that unit? What other units can you think of?#HRCEmath @HRCE_Math @OSullivanSonya @DeniseGB55 @ya_wolfe pic.twitter.com/bib2RwQEV1
— Aᴍʏ Sɴɪᴅᴇʀ (@asnider_teach) April 17, 2020
Fractions of Squares Do you see 1/4 in the image? Can you see 1/4 another way? How would that change if the teal and yellow sections together equal 1? Additional images and challenges: image 2, image 3, image 4, image 5. (Inspired by Traci Jackson’s Math Walks and Nat Banting’s Fraction Talks.)
What do you notice? How many ways do you see 1/4? What if 1=teal+yellow? What fraction is gray? What other questions could you ask? #mathwalk @takemathoutside @FractionTalks pic.twitter.com/8W7aYSEvvo
— Trish Kepler (@KeplerTrish) April 25, 2020
Race to Fill. Roll, add, and put a [grape] in the answer. For older kids: roll, add, and multiply by 7. Race to fill all the sections.
Another simple activity to set up and easy to differentiate (YR and Y3 here). We turned it into a race to fill all the sections and they loved it! 😊#homeschooling #homelearning #MathsEveryoneCanAtHome #math pic.twitter.com/9mYFskVrby
— Maths 4 Kids (@Maths4Kids) April 18, 2020
How Many Legs? Given a number of legs, how many people are there? How many animals with 4 legs? What if there are a combination of people and 4-legged animals? What if ther’s a mix of 2- and 6- and 8-legged creatures?
After listening to ‘How Many Legs? By Brian Tickle and Beth Lewis read by @CooteMrs. E works at identifying which animals could be in the field if there are 26 legs total – given 2,6, 8 legged animals only! #trinitylearns #virtuallearning #distancelearning pic.twitter.com/80ygQz6vz5
— Kerry Coote (@kerry_cootemath) May 4, 2020
A Problem about Money A problem from Marilyn Burns. Open the thread for further challenges!
For your students . . . or family . . . or you? Spend $1.85 & pay with a $10.00 bill & you get $8.15 in change. The digits in the change are the same as the digits in what you spent. Can you find other amounts that work this way? I think there are four. pic.twitter.com/sDzpE1OHIp
— Marilyn Burns (@mburnsmath) April 19, 2020
May 8, 2020
Show Multiplication What can you find to show multiplication? You can use groups, an array, or an area model. How does it show multiplication?
Multiplication Challenge: Make an area model, array, or equal groups using things around your house! 🤩 @CorneliusElem #Engagement #LevelingUpOnline pic.twitter.com/5j51nCEl1n
— Cathleen Leal (@solveitinfourth) April 21, 2020
Make a Number Search Roll a die to generate numbers. Write the numbers in an empty grid. Then, circle the cominations of [10]. Remember, you can make 10 with more than 2 numbers!
Made up a Number Search this morning. She rolled the dice to generate numbers, then we took turns circling neighboring numbers that make 10. Kept track with tallies. Great lo-tech fun! #mtbos #numbersense #screenfreetime pic.twitter.com/cFSUGObDLC
— Jonathan Edmonds (@jnathanedmonds) April 17, 2020
Fraction Equivalents How many different ways could you make 3/4 cup with the measuring cups shown? 3/8? 5/8?
At home math challenge: Making a recipe that calls for 3/4 a cup of flour. Using the measuring cups shown, how many different ways can you think of to measure 3/4? What about 3/8? 5/8? #iteachmath #MTBoS pic.twitter.com/5Tw9W7GSqi
— Kelly Gartside (@KellyGartside) April 21, 2020
Math & Motion Do some math while getting some exercise!
A little math and movement outside after a busy day. I couldn’t help myself….@Edukatemm 😬🤣 #momsasprincipals #momalsolovesmath pic.twitter.com/OyD3ofZnJ9
— Amanda Parks (@Parks_AS) April 21, 2020
Strike It Out In this game, Player 1 chooses two numbers to cross out on the numberline and then finds and circles the sum or difference of those two numbers. Player 2 crosses out that circled number, chooses another to cross out, and circles the sum or difference. The winner? The player who prevents their opponent from being able to take a turn. (Directions, from @nrichmaths.)
Maths at home! Back to @nrichmaths for another problem-solving based game (involving addition and subtraction within 20), including video instructions. Lots of mathematical reasoning about what is and isn't possible is likely. See: https://t.co/Ont82cN8Ra #homeschooling pic.twitter.com/XN9pgGMU6D
— Nathan Crook (@NJC_Ed_Maths) April 20, 2020
May 1, 2020
A Counting Book Can you find 1, 2, 3…10 of something at home? Make a counting book about what you find.
See if you can find things that are in groups of
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10
Create a counting book of your own. @Inv3_Math #iteachmath #MTBoS #mathisfun pic.twitter.com/QYRYPc6gcO— Katrina Kradel Mills (@millsmath) April 11, 2020
Make an Equation Can you put symbols between the numbers so that the equation equals 100? Is there more than one way? (See more ideas at Math Walks.)
The idea for this #mathwalk came from the @MakeMathMoments FB group (MathCurious) Classic puzzle. https://t.co/rFAz7sfq6Q #sidewalkmath #MTBoS #iteachmath pic.twitter.com/97qxgc8Yi9
— Traci Jackson (@traciteacher) April 19, 2020
Race for 20 A demonstration of Race for 20, a Marilyn Burns game. (See a blog about it, and variations of it, here.)
Playing Race to 20 by @mburnsmath.
For this and more, check out https://t.co/nzJHu0bgii. pic.twitter.com/J9bLROQZt7
— Nova Katz (@NovaKatz) April 3, 2020
Socks More math with the laundry. How many socks? How many pairs can we make? Then, make pairs of matching socks. How many pairs did we make? How many leftovers?
This should take us a while, but we are going to figure it out. We finally can’t use the excuse, “we’re never home” to pair our socks 🧦 pic.twitter.com/wvawEvjUHa
— kristin welch (@hellokritty) March 20, 2020
Race for 10 A demonstration of Race for 10, an adaptation of Race for 20, a game from Marilyn Burns. (See her blog about it here.)
Race to 10 game from Marilyn Burns @maplemere Here’s the link https://t.co/T0W8Oufc3X―a-counting-game-for-all-ages/ pic.twitter.com/B1EAluisK0
— Bonnie Lorentz (@bslorentz) March 30, 2020
An Array Hunt Outside Look for arrays in your neighborhood. What can you find? For each, think about how many rows? How many columns? How many in all?
Real life arrays – go on a scavenger hunt in your outdoor space and see how many you can find. Help young children explore multiplicative thinking using interesting visuals. Reframe multiplication by helping kids consider numbers in groups. #joyfulmath #MTBoS #mathchat #outdoors pic.twitter.com/D6xmQ9aZYV
— Deanna McLennan Ph.D (@McLennan1977) April 9, 2020
Running the Facts Write a set of “facts” — e.g., “the doubles” in this example — without the answers, on paper. Children figure out the answers — and decide where to write them on the sidewalk or driveway. (If inside, they can make another set of cards with the answers, and place those around the space they’ll be playing in.) To play, flip a card with a fact and run to place it on the answer. Repeat until all the cards are placed. At the end, double check that the cards are correctly placed. Try to improve your time.
When your mom is a teacher – you have to be her “models”😆#MathatHome @Inv3_Math pic.twitter.com/91bRHSt9Yz
— Kim Pratt (@KimSheapratt) April 7, 2020
April 24, 2020
An Array Hunt Look for arrays at home. What can you find? For each one you find, think about how many rows? How many columns? How many items in all?
Grade 2’s are on an array hunt and are sharing their thinking digitally, on paper, and through photos. Loving having the opportunity to provide feedback and further challenges throughout the day. @WilfridJuryPS pic.twitter.com/89u97Epplw
— Kiersten McBurney (@mrsmcb_edu) April 8, 2020
Sidewalk Geometry Make an outline using one color chalk or tape. Color the shapes. Challenge: Challenge kids to design the outline. Can you make one that only uses [triangles]?
Geometric sidewalk art #mathartchallenge #edu316math pic.twitter.com/dOQzf6F2Zt
— Kaitlyn Gaik (@KaitlynGaik) April 4, 2020
Complete a Street Maze Draw the maze pictured below – on a driveway, a sidewalk, or a piece of paper. Then, follow the directions and see if you can solve it! (This maze is an adaptation of an Adrian Fisher maze from the book Quick Mazes.)
It's a street maze! To play..
1. Start on the 1 in the bottom centre square
2. Then, jump 1 space in any direction (F,B,L,R) but NOT diagonal.
3. You can jump in any direction the number of squares indicated by the square you’re standing on.
4. Your aim is to reach the heart. pic.twitter.com/niZpJYlhXZ— Juliet Robertson (@CreativeSTAR) April 15, 2020
Games on a Number Line Draw a number line and think about games you can play on it. Try them out!
6yo invented a new game today. Make a number line with chalk and then solve addition and subtraction questions by hopping forwards or backwards! We also played “pine cone numbers” (throw the pine cone and name two numbers that add up to that number). #LearningAtHome #mathchat pic.twitter.com/e9HY91Xlcr
— Kimiko Shibata 🦋 (@ESL_fairy) April 1, 2020
Perimeter Around the House Can you use your hands or feet to measure the perimeter — the length around the edge of an object — of things at home? What if you measure the same thing first with your feet, then with your hands? Which do you think will give the bigger/smaller result? How much bigger/smaller? Why?
Perimeter around the house again! Once again, no ruler, no problem! #mathathome pic.twitter.com/Hpfobeg22H
— Kristen Popke (@Krit_Popke) April 9, 2020
Fermi Problems Sometimes, we wonder about “maths problems we will never know the exact answer to” (according to genderi.org/enrico-fermi-b,) – otherwise known as Fermi problems. Look for opportunities to ask such questions and think about how you would estimate an answer to them.
We are harnessing our inner Fermi’s and starting some estimation problems around our house based on comments that get made… let’s see what we come up with throughout the day! #iteachmath #brokencamera pic.twitter.com/BV9uX3ID3r
— Sarah Strong (@sstrong57) April 8, 2020
April 17, 2020
Sidewalk Geometry Fill an outline with colored shapes. How many of each? Extension: Challenge kids to design the outline. Can you make one that only uses [quarilaterals]?
Taking geometry to the driveway!! #polygons #rightangles #parallellines #ohmy @MVS_MrFont pic.twitter.com/6HWEccePab
— Christina Galvano (@lili_nickmom) April 4, 2020
Guess My Number Use a 100 chart, 501-600 chart, a section of a 100 chart, or a list of written numbers to help you keep track of what you learn with each guess!
OCTM Daily Math Activity: Play Guess My Number with someone! Try to guess the other person's number using Yes or No questions. How many questions did it take for you to guess the number? Which questions help you narrow down what the number could be more efficiently? #OCTMconnects pic.twitter.com/9ryDsRaHUq
— Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics (@ohioctm) March 19, 2020
Making Shapes A tutorial that will teach you how to use paper to make a pointed star.
Today's project is something to make with math/art to make connections with others. A simple construction, with units scaled by golden ratio to make a 5, 6, 7 ? (your choice) pointed star to send in the mail or hang in your window. https://t.co/qDI18eKMz6 #papermath pic.twitter.com/TVWKKUdaBX
— Paula Beardell Krieg (@PaulaKrieg) March 27, 2020
Sums to 1,000 Use the numbers 1-9 to make three 3-digit numbers that sum as close as possible to 1,000.
If you're looking for math problems that your children will love, will them understand math better, and will KEEP THEM BUSY, then check out https://t.co/1NmQkkobqU. Here's an example that works from about grade 3 through adult. https://t.co/fpFoStqoQu @openmiddle pic.twitter.com/4TD7fCqKz3
— Robert Kaplinsky (@robertkaplinsky) March 24, 2020
Salute Two players hold up a card (1-10) they can’t see; the 3rd player gives the sum (or product). Players figure out what’s on their card, using the information on the other card. Directions and adaptations for Salute.
Thanks for the reminder about playing Salute — a good game anytime and especially now. Directions here: https://t.co/JUBHszW0lF https://t.co/wfwjntFC7s
— Marilyn Burns (@mburnsmath) March 26, 2020
Measuring with Nonstandard Units Use a non-standard measurement unit (e.g., same-sized blocks or legos, paper clips, birthday candles, or spoons) to measure things around your home. How can you show what you found on paper? Extension: Find things to measure where there are multiple, different examples (e.g., dandelions in the yard, feet in your house). Put them in order and make comparisons like, “The smallest dandelion was one cube. The tallest was 5. The tallest is 4 more than the smallest.”
Using nonstandard objects from around the house (blocks, legos) to measure treasures from nature. Record your observations in different ways. What’s the tallest dandelion you can find? #joyfulmath #MTBoS #homeschooling #outdoors pic.twitter.com/uAkG5a3huo
— Deanna McLennan Ph.D (@McLennan1977) April 7, 2020
Save Twenty In this @mathforlove game, players roll dice with the goal of getting as close to (or exactly) 20 without going over. Players roll 5 dice, “save” as many as they like each round, and roll any they don’t save again. After 4 rounds, add the amounts on the dice to get your score. If your total is over 20, your score is 0. Play a set number of games. The person with the highest score wins.
We closed out math time today playing the game Save Twenty. You roll 5 dice. You can save dice and reroll others up to four rolls. If you make a total less than 20 that's your score. If your total is over 20 your score is 0. #tmwyk https://t.co/p4pLuBRYUv
— Brian Bushart 🏳️🌈 (@bstockus) March 31, 2020
April 10, 2020
Make a Puzzle Use the front of a cereal or other box to make a puzzle.
Looking for an easy DIY puzzle? Recycle box tops from your cupboard by cutting the front side into a puzzle. Increase the difficulty of the puzzle by cutting the pieces smaller, or encourage your child to cut his or her own pieces. #joyfulmath #MTBoS #homeschooling #Covid_19 pic.twitter.com/dKN6dSdyiT
— Deanna McLennan Ph.D (@McLennan1977) March 30, 2020
Draw a Clock Challenge children to draw a clock. Add hands to practice telling time.
Outdoor Math: Drawing the clock face, writing the numbers, placing the minute and hour hands to practice telling time to the hour and half-hour! #trinitylearns #virtuallearning #distancelearning pic.twitter.com/uTzbDiXLH7
— Kerry Coote (@kerry_cootemath) March 30, 2020
Sprout A game that requires only pencil and paper. Easy enough for the very young, with lots for older children and adults to think about.
Sheltering in place? Try this game, invented in 1967. Read more at https://t.co/IPKwwj5v3k (and so much more at that site!) pic.twitter.com/kfq0834Uh3
— Marilyn Burns (@mburnsmath) March 28, 2020
A Number Hunt at Home What numbers can you find at home? What do the numbers you find represent?
Mrs. Nania went on a math scavenger hunt this morning in her house and found so many numbers! She can’t wait to see what numbers you found! #WhatAreOurSwansUpTo pic.twitter.com/GNlyI7Ehds
— Jennifer Nania (@jennifer_nania) March 24, 2020
Sums to 100 Use the numbers 1-9 to make 3 two-digit numbers that sum as close as possible to 100.
OCTM Daily Math Activity: Using the digits 1-9, at most one time each, fill in the boxes to get a sum as close to 100 as possible. Is it possible to get a sum of 100? What was your strategy at first? How did your strategy change with different attempts? #OCTMconnects pic.twitter.com/FA8wj50kHL
— Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics (@ohioctm) March 20, 2020
Equivalent Problems Use the numbers 1-9 to make this equation true: ___ = ____ + ___ = ___ + ___ + ____. Then, explain your thinking, just like Lila.
Lila rocking her @OpenMiddle problem today! #whyopenmiddle #elemmathchat
Also, she's sporting her @WyoAreaSD Spirit Week Mix-and-Match Day outfit pic.twitter.com/JCEKYHA5zG
— Daniel Kaufmann (@KauDan721) March 26, 2020
April 3, 2020
Where Would [#] Go on the Number Line? Draw a number line that goes from 0 to — depending on the age of the child — 10, 100, 1000, etc. Ask “About where do you think [5, 10, 100] would go? Why do you think so?”
Where does 1 billion go?#mtbos pic.twitter.com/srA8umAFsx
— Mark Chubb (@MarkChubb3) November 29, 2016
Counting Coins Give your child a set of coins. Younger students can sort them into groups, count how many are in each group, and name the groups (e.g., pennies). Slightly older students can figure out how much money is in each group and how to write it. Older students can figure out how much money there is altogether and how to write it. Discuss the value of each coin and relationships between the coins. Extension: How many different ways could you make [.25¢]? Do you have them all? How do you know?
Counting coins is a great way to practice counting, adding one and two digit numbers, beginning level financial literacy, and even decimals! This is my 1st grader making values 3 different ways. #iteachmath pic.twitter.com/G5pycFRmxE
— Jessica Sanders (@jsandersmath) March 18, 2020
Dominoes If you have a set of dominoes, make a sheet with areas for 1-18. The task: find the total number of dots on each domino, and place it beneath that sum. (Extension: Record an equation for each domino after you’re done. Extension: Is there more than one equation you could write? eg 7 + 7 =14, 3+1+3+3+1+3=14)
A simple math activity for K-2 (depending on which dominoes you choose) Subitize and add the dots on each dominos and then sort into categories based on sum. @Hubbard_School @TisdaleSchool pic.twitter.com/WPkfiZZTrJ
— Christina Mains (@MrsMains) March 17, 2020
How Many Legs? Children can be challenged to count the legs on the humans at home; the legs on all of the things that are alive (i.e., including pets); all of the legs in the house including things that are not alive (i.e., tables and/or chairs). (Note: This activity is a slight adaptation of one from https://exemplars.com/.)
Day 2 of school at home – here is a twist on an @Exemplars question we love:
Chairs have legs. People have legs. How many legs are in your house?
For our kiddos – share your thinking in @Seesaw!#distancelearning #remotelearning pic.twitter.com/0fYdJbkloh
— Mrs. Fallone and Mrs. Mackrell (@explorers_learn) March 17, 2020