Free Math Text Books

If you are looking for some new resources for your math instruction, you may want to head over to How to Homeschool for Free where you can download 5 different math texts from the 1920's.  There are five different levels including:

 First Year In Numbers (grade 2) 

 Everyday Arithmetic Book 1 (grades 3 & 4) 

 Everyday Arithmetic Book 2 (grades 5 & 6)

 Everyday Arithmetic Book 3 (grades 7 & 8) 

Measurement Practice Freebie!

Many kiddos struggle with measurement.  That is why I am loving this Freebie from Squarehead Teachers.

I Can Read Free Downloadables

I am sure you have seen the I Can Read books before.  They are relatively affordable and available just about everywhere from books stores to grocery stores. They also have levels on the top to help you choose books that are at an appropriate reading level for your child.  Well, did you know that they have free downloadables available to go with the books?

Simply go to their website icanread.com to find these and other great resources!

On-Line Games for Reading Practice

 Here are some fun games for helping your child to increase their reading skills:
  

Word Search

URL: abcya.com/word_search_jr.htm
Levels: Grades 1-3
Skills: Vocabulary, Spelling
Description: This is a unique spin on the classic word search puzzle. It's a good idea for the teacher to set each game up as the user is prompted to decide how the game is played (on a printable, or on the computer) and which words will be featured in each puzzle. Once the game destination is selected and the words entered, students are presented with what appears to be a random set of letters. Somewhere in that set is a word, however, and the player must find it. Finding the most words wins the game.

ABC Bingo

URL: abcya.com/kindergarten_alphabet_bingo.htm
Levels: Grades K-1
Skills: Letters, Spelling
Description: In this version of bingo, students get to choose the size of their game grids, whether they'll be asked to identify letters based on the sound they make or their name, and whether they will be working with upper or lower-case characters. After all the choices have been made, the player will hear either a letter's name or the sound it makes. S/he must then identify that letter on the game grid. If s/he correctly identifies enough letters so that a straight or diagonal line is formed across the whole game grid, the player wins.

Alphabet Action

URL: learningplanet.com/act/fl/aact/index.asp
Levels: Grades K-1
Skills: Letters, Spelling
Description: This game is terrific for early learners. The entire alphabet is laid out, with each letter serving as a clickable link. Clicking a letter will activate an animation that both says the name of the letter out loud, and displays a picture of an object whose name begins or ends with that letter.

ABC Finder

URL: learningplanet.com/act/abcorder.asp
Levels: Grades K-1
Skills: Letters, Spelling
Description: Students encounter a section of the alphabet. Flatbed train cars roll onto the screen, with two letters placed in alphabetical order. Players are asked to decide which letter, from the alphabet section below, comes next. A correct answer results in an animated celebration on the flatbed car. Ten correct answers win the game.

Missing Letter / Busy Letter

URL: meddybemps.com/MissingBusy/Index.html
Levels: Grades 1-3
Skills: Letters, Spelling
Description: One of the letters of the alphabet is missing because it is busy being used in words. Students identify the missing letter, then must identify that letter in a writing sample. Once all the letters have been correctly identified, the player wins.

Fun Games To Teach Math Concepts

Looking for some fun math related games for your kiddos?  Here are a few:

  

Percent Shopping

URL mathplayground.com/percent_shopping.html
Levels
Grades 4-6
Skills
Percentage, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
Description
Description: Learn and practice real-life calculations while shopping. Add up the total cost, apply the percentage discount and calculate the amount saved.

Spiro Math Art

URL mathplayground.com/Spiromath.html
Levels
Grades K-6
Skills
Reflection, Angle, Symmetry, Spiro graph
Description
Explore angles, symmetry and art. Experiment by changing the radius of different parts, and separate them using colors to design your own Spiro graph. Predict different shapes and then try making them using only the radius knowledge.

Part Part Whole

URL mathplayground.com/PartPartWhole.html
Levels
Grades 3-6
Skills
Creating whole numbers from fractions and decimals.
Description
Test your math skills and race against the clock by aiming at the number that completes the "whole" number in the air. This game requires knowledge of addition, subtraction, decimals and fractions.

Alien Angles

URL mathplayground.com/alienangles.html
Levels
Grades 4-6
Skills
Solving estimating angles.
Description
Friendly aliens are traveling to a new space colony on Planet Geometry. Sadly, some aliens have lost their way. Students have been put in charge of the rescue mission and must set the correct angle on the rescue launcher. The computer will generate the launch angle, but the students must estimate the angle on the launcher to within 5 degrees.

Making Change

URL mathplayground.com/making_change.html
Levels
Grades 2-5
Skills
Money and making change.
Description
Harvey has been hired to work as a cashier at Perfect Pets. Sadly, he's not very good at his job. The students' task is to show Harvey how to make change. They are given the total cost of the customers' purchases and the amount the customers pay. Drag the fewest possible coins and bills to the counter to make the change.

Escape From Fraction Manor

URL
mathplayground.com/HauntedFractions/HFGameLoader.html
Levels
Grades 3-5
Skills
Solving basic math and fraction problems.
Description
Cleo the Cat has wandered into Fraction Manor, and the resident scientist, Dr. Fractionstein, sees this as an opportunity to test his new puzzles. Cleo is trapped, and students must use their fraction skills to solve the puzzles and help free her. Encounter obstacles, villains and plenty of math problems.

Fun Games to Teach Science Concepts

 

 

The Food Chain Game

URL:  sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/foodchaingame.swf

Levels:  Grades 2-6
Description:  In this fun science activity, students learn about food chains and the circle of life. Presented with several elements of a particular food chain, players must put them in the proper order. When correctly placed, the food chain comes to life.

A Touch of Class

URL:  sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/class.html

Levels:  Grades K-6
Description: Faced with a selection of uncategorized plants and animals, students must decide how to classify each one. Points are awarded for correct classifications, with the highest scorer being named the winner.

Squish the Fish

URL: sea.sheddaquarium.org/sea/squish/flash.html

Levels:  Grades K-3
Description:  Students must help hide Squish the Fish from his natural enemy. In the process they will learn about various marine life and how an ecosystem works. Students win the game by successfully hiding Squish in each of the levels.

Solar Energy Defenders

URL:  Wonderville.ca/asset/solarenergydefenders
Levels:  Grades 3-6
Description:  Use what you learn about solar energy to save the school dance from vampires in this super-cool solar energy game. Last time a dance was held, the vampires came in and busted a move on the dance floor. We won’t let that happen again! Collect energy during the day to ward off the vampires at night. Consider sun angle, tilt, shadows and time of year to maximize your energy collection.

Wild Weather Adventure

URL:  spaceplace.nasa.gov/wild-weather-adventure/
Levels:  Grades 3-6
Description: Play the Wild Weather Adventure game and your weather research blimp will explore Earth and its weather. With luck, skill, and strategy, you will race other weather research blimps to be first to travel all the way around the world and win the game. You can play with your friends or by yourself with a computer opponent.

Multiplying Decimals Practice Using Dice

Is your kiddo struggling to master multiplication with decimals?  I love this idea from The Mailbox to use a pair of dice to practice. Essentially, you take a pair of dice, roll them, and then use those numbers to write a decimal putting the digits wherever you would like.  Then you multiply the two numbers.  Easy, and super motivating.  I don't know about your kiddos, but mine love just about anything to do with rolling dice - it makes it a game.

You could modify this idea in so many different ways for different ages and skill levels!  Here are a few I thought of:

1. Add the digits
2. Multiply the digits
3. Divide the digits
4. Add, subtract, or divide decimals
5. Use each digit to make a fraction, roll again for a second fraction then add, subtract, multiply, or divide.

Can you think of any other ways to use this idea?

Creature Features - Learn About Animals

Do you have a kiddo who loves everything and anything about animals?  Well, now you can get them to practice their non-fiction reading skills learning about the animals that interest them the most at National Geographic Kids.  You can see the picture from the honeybees section above, but your child can choose to read about other animals including: penguins, elephants, and bullfrogs.  Not only can they read facts and look at photos, but some of the animals include videos and sound clips as well!

You can also use them for lesson planning as well.

National Geographic Kids

Free Cursive Handwriting Book

I know that there has been quite the controversy about our handwriting skills going away with the computer age, but I believe that it is important for kiddos to be able to read and write in cursive.  If you agree, and have a kiddo or two working on their handwriting, you will definitely want to check out this free cursive handwriting book.  It is a complete workbook with 80 pages of cursive handwriting practice.  It starts with a manuscript review, and then goes into instruction and practice of cursive letters.

 

You can download the handwriting book here.

Book Builder

You can personalize and print out free books from Pioneer Valley Books! You can even enter your child’s name and it will appear throughout the book as if your child is a character! There are several different levels of text, so here are some guidelines to let you know what book will be most appropriate for your little readers:

If the text is a Level C, it will be appropriate for grade K and first graders should be able to read independently.

If the text is a Level E or G, it will be appropriate to read to grade K and first graders may need some support if reading independently.

If the text is a Level H or I, it will be most appropriate for grade 2 and Kindergarten and first grade students will need support or will need you to read the text.

You can find the site here:  Bookbuilderonline.comhttp://bookbuilderonline.com/

Chinese New Year Lesson Plan Ideas

February 10th marks the new Chinese year - the year of the Snake.

The Chinese New Year is always in the month of January or the month of February.


Each year is named after an animal.

Snake - February 10, 2013

Horse -January 31, 2014

Goat - February 19, 2015

Monkey - February 8, 2016

Rooster - January 28, 2017

Dog - February 16, 2018

Pig - February 5, 2019

Here are some activities to learn more about the Chinese New Year:

Reading:

Here is a great book about the holiday.  You can view it on Youtube here.

Writing

When children in China wake up on New Year's Day, they find red envelopes with money inside.  What would you spend your lucky money to buy? Why?

For more Chinese New Year Resources visit these links:
For grades 4 and up

For grades K-3

New Year's Handwriting Tracer Freebies

New Years is a great time to work on handwriting especially when you need to learn how to write a new year! Am I the only one still writing the year before way into March?

Your kiddos will love these free handwriting sheets from TeachWithMe.Com!

Download here.

Highlights Hidden Pictures December Freebie

Highlights hidden pictures are a great way for your child to develop concentration and a greater attention to detail. You can download December's hidden picture for free by clicking here.

Thanksgiving ABC Order Freebie

I found an adorable alphabetizing activity with a Thanksgiving theme for you to use with your kiddos this week!  This freebie is a color, cut, and paste activity that includes a Thanksgiving theme where students place Thanksgiving words in ABC order.


Thanksgiving ABC Order

Highlights Hidden Pictures

I always loved Highlights magazine when I was a kid - it was actually something to look forward to when you had to go to the doctor or dentist.  My kids love Highlights too - especially the hidden pictures pages.  Highlights actually posts a new picture each month for the kiddos to find all of the hidden pictures.  It is a great way to build their observation skills.  You can get July's hidden picture here.

Fun 4th of July Word Search

If you are looking for a way to keep the kiddos busy this 4th of July, you might want to print out this adorable 4th of July Word search with vocabulary related to the celebration of America's independence. 

Head over here to print it out!

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Tons of Free Math Games to Play With Your Kids

Games are a fun and effective way to help your child master math skills.  There are tons of free math games available here for kindergarten to fifth grade level.  Why not check a few out and make tonight a game night?

Math Game Freebies

Number Writing Freebie

If your little ones are working on writing their numbers, you will love this freebie from Wild About Teaching. 
This free printable packet includes handwriting practice, ten frame examples, even vs. odd, one more, one less, number partners, etc. for each number 0-20. 
Number Writing Freebie

4 Ways to Write A Number Free Printable

I love this adorable worksheet that focuses on 4 different ways to write a number from Peterson's Pad. Your child will practice with writing the number in 4 ways: as a number, in word form, in expanded form, and in picture form using base ten blocks.

Phineas & Ferb Elapsed Time Game

My boys are huge fans of Phineas and Ferb, so I fell in love with this Phineas and Ferb Elapsed Time Game from Second Grade Style The directions and game pieces are all given, so head over to start playing!