Some Great Math Resources From a Blog Reader

 

 

The winner of my Frito Lay Giveaway shared some great math websites, and I thought I would pass them along!

 

Math Worksheets: http://www.worksheets-for-math.com/html/free_math_worksheets.html

Free Fun Worksheets: http://www.learningworkroom.com/Free_Worksheets.php

Kahn Academy (Excellent site for quizzes, videos, etc. my kids started using it in Kindergarten): http://www.khanacademy.org/

Math Skills (tons of links): http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skill_builders/fractions_math_first_1st_grade.htm

 

Thank you Steph!  Also thank you to mycutegraphics.com for the adorable clip art above!



July 2013 Traceable Calendar

You can print out a free traceable calendar perfect for teaching your little ones how to keep track of the days here.

Win a Frito-Lay Backyard Party Fan Pack

A package of goodies arrived at my doorstep just in time for summer festivities! With 6 active and involved boys, our backyard can seem like party central with kids (and grown-ups) coming over to jump on the trampoline, bat in the batting cage, or just coming over to hang out.  But, when they all come over, I need to make sure we have some goodies to eat.  Luckily Frito Lay brands have some amazing goodies like the ones pictured below for making your backyard party central.

 

 The barbeque dip is to die for by the way! It has real pieces of beef inside - yum!

In addition to the yummy chips and dips, their chefs have prepared some great recipes for backyard entertaining. Just click on the pictures for the yummy recipes!

Frito-Lay Flavor Kitchen Chef Jody will be sharing tips and recipes during a Facebook Fan Chat.  The chat will take place on the Frito-Lay Facebook Page on June 25 from 8 – 9 p.m. ET! They will be giving away fun prizes all night long, so don’t miss your chance to win!

 

The folks at Frito Lay have also offered to give one of my lucky readers the same pack they sent me!

 

Your Frito-Lay Backyard Party Fan Pack will include:

• Tampico Lantern

·         2-Piece Chip and Dip Set

·         1 bag of Tostitos® SCOOPS!® Tortilla Chips

·         1 jar of Tostitos® Chunky Salsa – Medium

·         1 bag of use RUFFLES® MAX Smokehouse Style BBQ Potato Chips

·         1 jar of RUFFLES® Ultimate Barbeque Dip

Disclosure: I was given the package above and a package to give away in order to facilitate this review and giveaway.  No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are my own.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monsters University - Free Printables

Monsters University is in theaters today (June 21, 2013)!  Our boys are so excited to see it, but we have to wait until my hubby has a day off.   Will you be seeing it?

Before (or after) heading to the movie theater, print out these fun, free activity pages for your kids.

Click on the links below to download your free printable activity sheets:

Spot The Difference

Coloring Page

Design Your Own Schoool Crest

Archie On The Loose

Test Your Memory

Design An MU ID

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.

Free Printable Summer Reading Chart

I love this freebie from Busy Mommy Media! This free printable summer reading chart is a great way to motivate your kiddos to read.  Not only do they get the incentive of earning a reward for reading, but there is a great sense of satisfaction in completing the task of reading as many books as they can.  Print one out for each child and be ready to reap the rewards of amazing readers! 

You might want to laminate it to use for future years as well.

Free Printable Summer Reading Chart

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.

9 Amazing Ways To Keep Your Brain Active This Summer

Although most people think of summer as a time for rest and relaxation, it’s also important for kids to find ways to keep their brains sharp throughout those off-school days. Check out this fun info-toon with nine fine ways to “exercise your noodle” this summer!

To download and print it, click the image below, or click here.

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?

Gardening With Your Kids

I will be the first person to admit, I was not born with a green thumb!  But.. that has not stopped my boys from begging to garden!  They have asked to plant just about anything they can think of and surprisingly enough, they are great little gardeners! Here are a few tips for teaching your child how to garden:

• Start Slow - Focus on only one or two types of plants when you first start out.  That way you aren't overwhelmed and you can work out the mistakes with less risk.
• Choose Fast Growing Plants - Kids are not known for their patience!  If you grow something that takes a long time to grow, your child might lose interest.  We have been successful with bean plants, lettuce, and spinach.
• Plant Things Your Child Likes - One of my boys' favorite garden items were pumpkins for Halloween!  If your child enjoys what is growing, they will want to help out.
• Let Them Be In Charge - If you aren't ready to hand over the whole garden, you might want to give your child a section of the garden that they are responsible for.