Hello! Maria Miller here again from HomeschoolMath.net.
This newsletter is again full of stuff; however I will skip December altogether (since most people are so busy shopping), so maybe you can save this and read it 'piecemeal' over the holidays.
Math Mammoth
First, I will announce some more Math Mammoth worksheet collections:
The worksheets have been created especially for teachers: each problem sheet is one page, concentrating on one topic.
They are not your 'run-of-the-mill' math worksheets. Each sheet in these two workbooks has been "hand-crafted", with varying problems that both emphasize understanding of concepts and practice computation, with variable word problems.
Prices vary from $5 to $6 for each A or B book, $2 for each answer key, and $10-$12 for both parts with answer keys.
BUT, I have also set up a volume discount when buying any of my math books!
* For order totals at least $34 - a 20% discount.
* For order totals at least $50 - a 25% discount.
* For order totals at least $70 - a 30% discount.
Important: Use coupon code 8A2301338 when ordering.
In this month's newsletter:
1. Mamut Matemáticas
2. Teaching integer operations
3. Pre-made worksheets for 4th grade
4. Math Learning and unhappiness
5. Kindergarten math ideas
1. Mamut Matemáticas
I have started a spanish math website along the same 'mammoth' theme. Right now it has free worksheets generators at MamutMatematicas.com/ejercicios/.
2. Teaching integer operations
Homeschoolmath.net/teaching/integers.php - ideas on how to explain and justify addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of integers, plus two FREE downloadable fact sheets.
3. Pre-made worksheets for 4th grade
I took some time to create ready-made math worksheets for grade 4 math topics. These are still randomly created, but all you have to do is click on the links and it's there.
Check them out here!
4. Math Learning and unhappiness
Recently Brown Center published a Report on American Education with a special sector about the happiness factor in learning.
The report is based on 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) data.
The TIMSS study found that countries in which kids report enjoying mathematics and feeling confident in it do worse in math than kids who report they don't like math and are not feeling confident in it.
American students are much more confident about their math abilities than Singapore students, yet they do far worse: Even the least confident students in Singapore outscore the most confident students in America!
Continue reading...
5. Kindergarten math ideas
I recently talked with a friend who was concerned about the cost of math curricula for her soon-5-year-old, doing kindergarten math. Even regarding my ebooks which I've given her free access, she mentioned how even printing costs money and could get costly in the long run.
(And I know some people can print things real cheap, but not everyone. It depends on your printer.)
So I told her, teaching math doesn't have to cost anything in kindergarten or the early grades.
It's not of utmost importance to do worksheet work. You can largely just play games and explore various things. After all, playing is what that age kids do best anyway.
* Playing board games where you roll one die teaches them to recognize the dot patterns on the die.
* Later on, playing board games where you roll two dice can be used for addition practice.
* After learning the dot patterns on a die, use dominoes as "flash cards" for addition. Or better yet, make a simple game out of it: lay them right side down on table, then take turns turning one and if you can add the dots, you get to keep it.
Keep reading, there's a bunch more ideas in the article...
Till next time,
Maria Miller
How did you like this month's newsletter? Is there any topic you'd like to see in the next one? Let me know.