Your child can help write history! Use this worksheet, set up like a real newspaper, to write about what they've seen as they watch the inaugeration.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Mad Libs
Do you remember doing Mad Libs when you were a kid? Mad Libs are word games that create a new story by changing a few selected words in the story. For years, parents, teachers, and homeschoolers have used these FUN word games to teach children grammar, sentence structure, parts of speech, and even vocabulary. Here is website that offers FREE Mad Libs that your child can complete on your computer-.
Do your household materials measure up?
Measurement is the weakest area across the United States in mathematics and science. All parents should have certain materials available in their home to help their children excel in these subject areas. Using these materials at home with your child will make measurement real and concrete. Without any previous practice using these tools, the concepts behind them will be abstract and very difficult to understand. Children benefit from working with their hands and most importantly, talking about what they're doing with their hands.- Pan balance with weights in grams
- Graduated cylinders in milliliters - 50 ML and 100 ML
- Thermometers with Fahrenheit and Celsius
- Measuring cups with ounces, milliliters, and cups
- Measuring spoons in teaspoons and Tablespoons
- Eye droppers
- Magnifying glass
- Tweezers
- Measuring Tape with centimeters and millimeters
- Ruler with centimeters and millimeters
- Make sure to have these materials accessible to your child, and incorporate the use of them into your family routine to ensure your child's success in measurement
Math Minutes
Mad Math Minutes is a great way to practice basic math skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Here are some worksheets to test your child's skills. Set the timer for 60 seconds and let your child see how many they can do. Once they master a skill, move on to the next worksheet.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sight Word Blocks
I found these blocks at Big Lots and started writing sight words on them for my first grader. My older boys liked the game as well, and I am thinking about writing challenges on some of the blocks. For example, “What words can you make with the letters A T C N?” or “What’s your favorite book? Why?”
I'm looking forward to this fun game!
Lunch Tray Lessons
I found these cute plastic lunch trays at Big Lots for under $1 each, but I hear they are everywhere. They are perfect for segmenting and blending words. I used a cut up index card, but magnets, letter beads, play dough or letter pasta would work great too.
You can also use these for math practice using beads or pasta to make equations on top, while you child puts the answer below!
Shape flashcards
Looking for a fun way to explain sides, vertices and shapes? Why not try these “shape flashcards”? First do a shape review on a white board or piece of paper. Then give your child a few index cards and some tooth picks. Have them make flashcards for each of the shapes.
First glue the toothpicks to the cards to form the shape. We found that running a small bead of white glue on the toothpick, then placing it on the card worked best.
After they make the shapes with the toothpicks have them label each card with the information you had discussed.
Math Games!
We have all been looking for a math equivalent to Starfall.com and I think I’ve found it. This site has many games with all operations covered.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Teaching Geography with your Daily Newspaper
Many students lack geographical knowledge even at a time when global events are pivotal to our everyday lives. Here are some ideas for using the daily paper to help your child bone up on his/her geography skills:
1. Read today's news looking for items that take place in the nation. Then have your child locate them on the US map here. You can also use this on-line US map (if you scroll over the state it shows the name of each one.
2. Read today's news looking for international items. Then have your child locate them on the maps located here.
3. Locate the detailed weather information in the newspaper. Which city has the highest temperature? Locate it on a map. Find the city with the lowest temperature and locate it on the math. Find the latitude and longitude of each place.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Free Math Worksheets
If you are on the hunt for math worksheets, then this is the site for you! Math-Drills.Com includes over 6000 free math worksheets with answer keys. All levels!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Handwriting Resources
Looking for some resources for handwriting lesson plans? Look no further, the following sites should supply you with everything you need! To save money on printing, print out a sheet and place it in a sheet protector. Have your child complete with a wet erase marker. The sheet can then be re-used for practice, or by a sibling.
Animated Lesson Plans
Teach your child how to properly form each letter with these animated lessons:
Printables for Practice
Print out these pages for your child to practice.
(These worksheets will help prepare children form letters of the alphabets, and numbers)
(one worksheet for each letter, upper and lowercase.)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Telling Time
If your child is learning how to tell time, you will want to have them practice their skills with this fun activity. They will match the time on an analog clock with the time on a digital clock.
Number Line Game
Here is a fun game to help your child learn how to use a number line. The child uses the mouse to select a spot on the number line that is close to the number given. The program will ask your child to zoom in until they find the right number.
Animated math instruction site
Having trouble teaching a math concept? Try this website which features animated math lessons.
Lessons Include:
Numbers and Place Values
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
The Number Line
Fractions
The Law of Attraction