Math Helpers for Homeschoolers
I was thinking the other day how many math posts I have on this blog. I love making hand-on and visual manupulatives to help my kids understand different concepts. Many of the ideas on this post are inspired by things that I used as a child to get past difficult math stuff. I've already seen how many of these objects have helped my children already, and I know they will help more in the future. I hope they help your children as well.
Basic Math
We have dozens of objects for counting. Many of them are stored in altoid tins, which make it easy to have a variety. Click on the link under the picture to read about some of our favorites. In the beginning stages, 10-frames (and more themes here) can be used to help children understand number concepts and addition facts.
If the dozens of counters in the last post weren't enough, this one has a list of fifty tiny objects. The post also has a counting board for helping kids count by 10's to 100.
More Objects for Counting
Double Digits
Moving from single digits into the "tens" can be very challenging for kids to understand. I read about the concept of "Zero the Hero" on a few teacher blogs a few years ago, and fell in love. I love how it turns the number zero into a character to whom kids can relate. Zero the Hero changes his friends, the other digits, into new numbers. He makes the 1 into a 10, the 2 into a 20, and the 3 into a 30. When I explained it to my kids, they quickly understood it. It's something that we frequently talks about as we work toward 100.
The Montessori method handles teen numbers with a visual called a teen board. I have made two different printable boards, the one linked above and a jungle themed one. My boards come with themed counters as well to help the child learn how teen numbers work.
I made this other Montessori-inspired printable- a addition board. It allows children to use number bars to find sums. It can also be used to teach subtraction.
One of my favorite math tools that I've made is this 6-sided magnetic chart. It was a bit of work to create, but it's proving to be very helpful for the kids. They can build their own 100-chart by putting the numbers in order. Then, they can turn the cubes to show different skip counting patterns. You can see it in action here. I also created a beyond 100 chart to help children understand the pattern of numbers past 100.
More Teen Number Helpers
Place Value
I remember only getting one day with the base-10 blocks as a kid in school. I loved them, and they turned on a light in my head to help me understand why we have place value and how it works. When I bought our cuisenaire rods a few years ago for our math toolbox, I decided to use their colors to create our own base-10 set instead of buying a separate set. The set comes with a printable to create a 100-board (I chose to do 1 out of wood and a bunch out of paper. It has number cards for 100's to 900, 10's to 90, and 1's to 9. Print a set and you're ready to go.
I also made these place value flip books for a few different configurations. They would be good for a classroom, since each kid could make their own and keep it at their desks. I used my pro-click binding machine to put these together. I love how they can really flip and lay flat while being used. I would have loved to have one of these during my school years.
More Place Value Ideas
Fractions
I went fraction crazy early this month for Pi Day. These printable fraction cards can be used for the homemade fraction circles (free pattern) or store-bought ones. They can be used for teaching fractions or teaching fraction addition and subtraction.
One of the best ways to learn something is through play. This printable menu and fraction cards can help teach fractions through pizzeria pretend play. The original post has lots of ideas, so check it out!
Fraction Shortcuts
Games
Math games don't have to be painful nor do they need a lot of supplies. This is a large list of games that can be played with dominoes, dice, and playing cards. The list covers many concepts and skill levels.
People always laugh when I share this game ideas, but the kids love it too. Put a certain number of bugs in a cup, shake it, and spill them out. Write out the addition (or subtraction) sentence that you've created. Play with more than one person and see who has the most bugs alive in one turn or ten. Similar games can be played with other buttons or two-sided things.
Math Games
Fonts
A- KG Fraction Font
B- KG Math Bar Models
C- KG Teacher's Helper
D- KG Traditional Fractions
All these fonts are free at Da Font, which I love. I think the above picture explains the options for each font. I have used these fonts on my printables. Visit this post (and 20 more) for more other font recommendations for homeschoolers and educators.
I have been printing off themed packs and other printables from Every Star is Different for my entire homeschool career. I think her blog was one of the first homeschool ones that I read five years ago when I was a new homeschool mom, and I've been reading her blog ever since. She's a fellow adoptive mom, so we have a lot in common. Be sure to check out her blog series about doing Disney with special needs.
I'm really excited to be partnering with my friend for this special math printables sale! This bundle contains everything you need to teach math from preschool through elementary school. The Math Bead Bar pack helps kids learn numbers 1-100 and is designed to work with the Montessori bead materials; although the cards can be used without the tactile addition. Next, the child progresses to learning addition and subtraction using the hundreds of equation cards in the bundle. After they have mastered the basics, the child can move onto multiplication and division. If those THOUSANDS of tasks aren't enough- there is also a holiday math pack featuring ALL four basic functions for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!
This is a great deal! The sale only lasts for one week, though, so don't miss out! Click here to buy!
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