Math Beads

I found this really simple, cute counting idea from The Princess and the Tot (one of my absolute favorite for tot tray ideas). I finally got around to putting it together last week.

I love this activity for a few reasons. 1) I had all materials on hand. 2) It only took me 10 min. to whip it up.....
3) Asa LOVES it....he's done it quite a few times in the past week and a half. BONUS: It's takes him about 10-15min. to complete due to all the bead stringing he has to do for it.
Love it when something so simple and easy comes together and the little guy loves it! Happy blogging!

jess_hak

Snapping Turtle Math

Annabelle has been working on number recognition for numbers 1-20 (well, really just numbers 12-20). I was trying to think of a fun way to incorporate this into our swamp theme. Then it dawned on me.....

Annabelle made this one day during her school time. It's a very colorful snapping turtle (see the clothespin sticking out of it's mouth?).
The I remembered that I had these fantastic pond numbers from Jolanthe's Pond Preschool Pack. (sorry for the poor picture...I am in no way, shape, or form a photographer lol)
I hung up the numbers using clothespins and would say, "Snapping Turtle find the number___ "
Annabelle would then find and snap the right number. I would say, "Good job Snapping Turtle!" She thought that was pretty funny. :)
She's so happy....she was supposed to snap the number 12. lol
Just so no one thinks that set up for these things is without trial and error I included a couple different attempt pictures.

Attempt #1 - I originally used yarn....the clothespins wouldn't hold the numbers because the yarn was too thin and the numbers kept falling off. (See Annabelle's feet in the picture....waiting patiently for me to get it figured out).
Attempt #2 - We have a broken baby gate and I thought that if I put the clothespins underneath it and the numbers on top it might work.....it didn't work. lol
Attempt #3 - So then I remembered we just bought our dog a tie out for when we visit my parents. It was much thicker than the yarn. It still wasn't the perfection that I was envisioning, but it worked good enough to stop looking for alternatives to the original plan.
Anyone else out there not get things right on the first try? Happens to me ALL the time. :) Happy blogging!

jess_hak

Linking up to Pinterest Tuesday where I was actually featured today! :) Also to Homeschool Creations.

MATH!!!! (inhale, exhale)

From the very second I started looking over my math curriculum choice I began to doubt. I didn't doubt the curriculum....I think it moves at an appropriate pace, and the kids workbooks are super colorful and engaging. I was really quite excited about all my daughter would be learning. Why was I in doubt? Well, I was actually doubting my ability to teach good math skills. My math abilities are seriously lacking. I am very nervous about not giving my littles a good foundation in math. I quickly switched from Horizons to Saxon math before we even started.

Oh Horizons.....
.....how I wanted to use your brightly colored pages.....and your fantastic paced skill learning.....
Oh wait.....ugh....I need more than this from a teacher's manual. I was pretty bummed to see that there was no instructions to tell me HOW to teach a concept. I mean, really I know that K math is pretty simple stuff. BUT I honestly do not know how to go about teaching place value properly. It truly scared me to think that I would have to figure out how to present the material by myself (seriously, I had nightmares about it!).....so I had to find a plan B.
Enter Saxon Math. I used Saxon for a time when I was homeschooled. I vastly preferred it to the BJU we were using before. I will admit that there are no colorful workbook pages (actually all I have is the teacher's manual). I am a little bored with the pace (really slow....and maybe too easy for Annabelle). BUT......
.....look at this lesson plan. See the bold print! It actually tells me what to say!! Yes, it gives me a script. It tells me exactly WHAT to say and HOW to present the material. So, I digress, I will have to trade colorful, fun workbooks for a written script in the Teacher's Manual.
I will say that we are having SO much fun with these lessons. AND it helps me with doing our calendar time. AND (again), Annabelle is now counting very well up to 30! Still mixing up a couple teens, but she is doing great! :)
Introduction to graphing....

Pattern blocks and counting bears....good times.
I have come to the conclusion that this slower pace may just be better for Annabelle (since she really dislikes numbers). Once I gain some teaching confidence I may just switch back to Horizons. As it is, I will probably use it in coordination with Saxon or we will go directly into it when we finish Saxon K (so continue it from April thru August). How is everyone else feeling about their curriculum picks? Good? Bad? Feel free to leave a comment and let us know. :) Happy blogging!

jess_hak