Making Math Interesting

Yesterday, I shared my family's favorite online math drills. For extra reinforcement that does not include computer games. These interactive activities really seem to solidify math facts, helping students to visualize how math works rather than just memorize facts.  I'm of the mindset that math doesn't need help being interesting; it's a beautiful part of God's creation. Often, we can point this out in nature and sit back in awe of the mathematical beauty of the world around us. Don't believe me? Do a google image search for the fibonacci sequence and I bet you'll agree.

My kids will often agree that math itself is beautiful, but the daily drill isn't always so appealing. If yours agree, here are some engaging activities to inspire some fun learning:

The Positive Engagement Project is a non profit organization that shares lots of free pdf downloads.

• A fun one is a PDF of math games that use a deck of cards.
• To incorporate field day races, they have another game with instructions and gameboard.
• Product Tac Toe works on multiplication.

What the Teacher Wants shares some math activities for the kinetic learner.

Absolutely LOADS of great addition games at First Grade Schoolbox.

Domino Math PDF from Confessions of a Homeschooler.

For a fun way to practice telling time, One Extra Degree shares the idea to use a hula hoop for a blank clock. This could also be done outside with sidewalk chalk.

Also for telling time, Mrs. Nielson shares a fun technique:

I found lots of fun ideas for reinforcing the basics over at Serenade to Second Grade:

One of the best techniques for memorizing addition facts is to practice skip counting. Here are some skip counting activities shared from First Grade Parade.

This one is so simple it seems silly, but sometimes those simple things are the most incredible ideas. Old Shoe Woman shared a picture of a great tool for studying place value and expanded form:

More Place Value activities at Kindergarten Crayons

Also from First Grade Parade, some fraction fun:

I Speak Math has lots of great helps that integrate technology. For math vocabulary, a poster:

A crazy-awesome shortcut for Long Division at The Math Page:

For Geography, have some fun with tape graffiti:

For a twist on Prime Factorization, visit Math in the Middle:

The good old standby, worksheets, are still just as effective as ever.

• Dad's Worksheets let's you print about any kind of math worksheet you can imagine.
• Addition Worksheets at Classroom Jr.
• Math-U-See has an online worksheet generator.
• Homeschool Math Generator.

My absolute favorite way to reinforce basic math skills is to use a morning board. Morning boards are just basic bulletin boards/poster boards that we spend five minutes on every morning to start our day. We go over the calendar, the days of the week. We count school days. We skip count. We add money. We also go over artists, poems, and basics like our address, phone number, etc. Here is Joyfully Domestic's fun example. Do a search for morning boards and you'll find lots of great ideas and free templates to help you create your own.

The more we stress about them learning math, the more difficult we make it for them to learn math. They will learn those basics before college. I promise! The child who struggles with fact families in 2nd grade can still go on to excel in calculus later. Or perhaps he'll be the child who has little need for math and is content to stop after algebra. Regardless, he has many years to get there and plenty of time to enjoy learning.

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