Gnome Math

This is how my son and I like to "play" math. He is quite insistent that I make him math monsters and not gnomes. For now, our little gnomes will do. This is much more simple than tea party math but still fun.

We use the gnomes and numbers to make an addition or subtraction problem. My son likes to use Lego's or other small objects as counters. Having small counters really make a difference for him. We make up story's as we go. If you are using Mr. Plus gnome. We always know that he brings things with him to play with. Mr. Plus would bring 5 little dinosaurs to play with your 6 dinosaurs. How many are there to play with now? Obviously, when ever you play with Mr. Plus you are adding, so he is always bringing something. Now Mr. Minus, he's a bit of a stinker, because he always takes things away. Mr. minus came to play at your house. Mom just baked 15 cookies. Mr. Minus snuck in and ate 7 of them. Now how many of them are left? It can be quite interesting to hear the different scenarios your children can come up with for subtraction when a thief is involved.

My son had a hard time remembering the function of the + and - symbols. Turning them in to characters, one who is always generous and one who is a thief, helped him understand the function of the symbol. Plus we got to count his dinosaurs, animals, and whatever else he could find. With this one you also want a lot more numbers. I made him up a bunch of numbers on little wood circles also.

Tea Party Math

Math can be just plain boring and also quite frustrating.

My children tell me math is torture (Yes, they can be a wee bit dramatic). I am always trying to find ways to make math funner.

 Fun Math? Is it possible? I think so. Some times you just need to make it a party!

Most family's with little girls may already have a tea set.

They are pretty cheep if you shop around. I happened upon this little ceramic tea set for just $4.00 on clearance.

You can also use dishes from your kitchen or even cut out a few circles and color them. 

The main point is to make it fun. Let it be something special that they get to do with mom (or dad).

Your child might even anticipate math when it becomes a tea party.

First I wrote numbers on round wood disks. They can be found at most craft stores.

You can easily print numbers and cut them out or get more elaborate if you would like.

 I have found that you really need at least two of each number.

I bought some stickers at the dollar store for my math symbols.

Then I made little tea party food with yummy looking stickers and more little wood circles.

These are what you use for counters. There are so many things you could use also. Dry beans, tiny toys, coins, or even occasionally a real treat like mini M&M's, gummy bears, crackers you name it. The more personalised and involved your child is, the better. If your child loves Polly Pockets,

use the little pieces for counters.

  Now its time to play!

 Fill your plates with your "goodies" then count each one.

Now you use your numbers and symbols to make an addition or subtraction sentence that would represent what you have each taken.

Take turns making up stories. This can be really fun.

A story example is:

Mom was cleaning all morning so she forgot to eat breakfast. Starving and tired she decided to take five doughnuts! Dear daughter of course, not wanting to be out done, took seven. How many doughnuts did they have all together?

Then daddy came home. Hmm, he likes doughnuts. When mother was not looking daddy snuck three doughnuts from her plate. Now how many doughnuts do they have together?

It can be hilarious as you make up different ways you have more or less treats.

The dog ate them. They went bad and had to be thrown away. A parade of delivery trucks were bringing more and more goodies.

They sky is the limit. Just remember to do you best to make it fun!





Make Me This

My son loves to draw monsters. He brought me his picture and said, "make me this!" So...I did. Despite his excitement of having his drawing come alive, his monster had to be stuffed behind to couch for the night. "For safety mom," he said. What a fun boy.