Cootie Catchers for Learning
January 12, 2010 by Jimmie
Here is a simple idea to spice up your homeschool lesson – make a cootie catcher! All you need is a square piece of paper, folded according to these directions.
Usually the person holding the cootie catcher asks his partner to choose a number. Then he opens the cootie catcher back and forth that many times. Next the partner chooses a numbered flap from the exposed sections and answers the question underneath. You don’t have to use numbers. You can use colors, symbols, or letters to label the flaps.
Your cootie catcher has four flaps, each with two portions. So in all, you’ve got a maximum of eight sections for information.
Think of all the ways you can use them:
- Math Facts (times nine multiplication facts, for example)
- Fraction and Decimal Equivalents
- Spelling practice
- State abbreviations
Actually, cootie catchers work well for questions on any topic. Have your child select the questions and write them inside the flaps. Then let her manipulate the cootie catcher as you choose a flap. Since your child has the cootie catcher, she has to say if your answer was right or wrong. Then switch roles and quiz your child.
See how much repetition is happening? You child chooses the questions, writes the questions, asks you the questions, and verifies your answer. These cootie catchers are wonderful, sneaky things!
For variety, try these altered cootie catcher ideas:
- Use a BIG square for a super sized cootie catcher.
- Use colored paper or decorate the cootie catcher with stickers, stamps, or sequins.
Have you ever tried using cootie catchers for homeschool? What topic did you use? Have any photos to share with us? Your comments are always welcome.
Jimmie is a former public school teacher turned homeschooling stay-at-home-mom. A sense of humor, faith, and creativity keep her “pressing on” in her unique situation — living and traveling abroad with an only child in a bilingual environment. Visit her blog at Jimmie’s Collage.
Who’s the Teacher Here?
October 23, 2009 by Christine
“Come on down, we’re going to start schoolwork!” I call up the stairs.
“But, Mom, I’m teaching Maddy to play Battleship!” my 9-year-old replies, with a hint of annoyance for being interrupted.
Hmmm, Cartesian graphing definitely counts as math…and he’s teaching her, I think to myself. “Sure, take your time!” I call back.
Teaching is the best way to remember information. Just think of it in terms of us as the homeschooling parents. Do you remember all of your high school history? I sure don’t. I’m learning now. As I teach it to my children.
Edgar Dale, in his brain research, summed up in the Cone of Learning, found that (paraphrased):
WE REMEMBER
10% of what we read
20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
70% of what we discuss with others
90% of what we teach others
I’ve been trying to apply this theory in our homeschool, now that my oldest two are at a point where they enjoy each other’s company and can engage in some more advanced games and concepts on their own. The more I seek them out, the more opportunities I find to briefly hand the reins to my oldest to help his younger sister. The benefits are many- sibling cooperation, communication skills for both, retention of material- and I have noticed a great deal of growth in their relationship because of these efforts.
Many times, as in the Battleship example, they take it upon themselves to work together before I ask. The simple act of explaining the directions of a game requires a child to put their thoughts together, express them coherently, and follow through with demonstration. I have witnessed my son teaching his sister proper violin posture by having her correct his “bad” positions, helping her with her reading, and guiding her in her attempts to whistle. I have also seen my daughter, who is six, begin to “teach” her younger brothers, and even her stuffed animals!
My goal is to create an environment where it is OK to “not know” something because there are many patient, caring family members willing to teach you when you want, or need, to know. Slowly I am seeing the fruit of this effort.
I encourage you to try and find small ways throughout your day when your children can teach- whether it’s you, a sibling, or the family dog!
Christine is a Christian, homeschooling mom to three boys and a girl, ranging in age from 9 to 2 years old. She is a musician by trade, eclectic in homeschool style, and continues to grow and learn along with her children in this journey of life and discipleship at home. Visit her blog at Fruit in Season.
Review: Family Science
October 12, 2009 by Karin
Parents and home educators who are familiar with the Family Math Equals series will immediately notice the connection and theory behind Family Science by Portland State University (1999; ISBN 9780876781142). Although not written specifically for home educators the book is written to encourage and foster learning experiences between parent and child in the study and exploration of science. Research has clearly shown over the years that children who do activities with their parents, build close relationships, and learn together will be happier, more self-confident in their own learning, and demonstrate a high level of emotional well-being.
Family Science is full of inexpensive, hands-on activities that encourage cooperative problem-solving, highlight multicultural contributions and career opportunities for all learners, and help reinforce a child’s science experiences. Anyone can be a scientist, and Family Science activities illustrate that much needed fact to our youth. By participating in simple scientific investigations with their child, parents can have a positive influence on children who may think that science is too hard, too abstract, boring or beyond their capabilities.
Family Science makes science more accessible by offering:
-Hands-on approach to learning scientific processes, concepts and themes.
- Cooperative learning activities that develop problem-solving, questioning, and communication skills.
-Strategies for encouraging students to pursue scientific study
- Opportunities to participate in group science activities.
The activities contained in the book are suitable for families with children ages 5-13 and are created to not only illustrate a specific scientific concept but to promote problem solving and independent thinking. There may also be more than one solution to the proposed problem.
Within this book your family can explore: how to cut an opening in an index card large enough to fit over a a family member head to toe (Great Openings, page 44), create experiments to illustrate explanations of common findings such as “light travels in a straight line” or “friction produces heat” ( evidence please, page 89), explore looking through a water drop (page 116), and many others. There are over 50 Family Science Activities to choose from divided by section including: Science Openers, Science at work, Using the Language of Science, Observing your world, The Physical world, and Design and Technology. A separate chapter is devoted to assisting you in starting your own Family Science co-op or event.
While this is not a science curriculum package, it is a wonderful way to bring science to life and engage your child. Homeschool co-op or support group leaders should consider using the book to create a Family Science mini co-op midway through the school year.
For more information and product availability please visit the Family Science website or download the brochure.
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
Homeschooling-The Whole Family Approach
October 7, 2009 by AngelaP
I just love that homeschooling can be something the entire family can experience together.
Just as not all people are gifted in all things, so perhaps they should not teach all things.
In our home, I teach from a curriculum just because it helps me stay focused and accountable. I adore the privilege I have to teach my children. I teach them best the things I like the best. All individuals are limited in certain ways and that is why we absolutely need a whole family approach.
I absolutely love all things history. When I teach it I am passionate and excited about the subject. This effects the learning environment positively. The students also want to learn the things that their teacher is excited about. A teacher’s excitement better keeps the children’s attention.
Now, let’s take Math. I cannot even fake excitement about this subject. It is much needed but I cannot get that same excitement in it as I can history. But, my husband is very excited about math. He is the one who the children learn from and he is their main teacher on this subject. We enjoy dividing things up because we are taking a whole-family approach.
Another way that we approach the whole-family method is within our family of friends who home school. The children are in Art, P.E., and Ballet classes because neither my husband nor I are very gifted in these areas. It is great that they can learn from these other gifted people the things that they are excited about.
We were never meant to do this alone. We are a community. What support do you have with your homeschooling?
Angela Parsley, of the international ministry Refresh My Soul Ministries, is a wife and homeschooling mother to her 2 young daughters. Angela is also a contributing author to a devotional book entitled, “Standing on the Promises of God” and Radical Revolution, a devotional site for teen girls through Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Learning Styles
September 20, 2009 by Darnelle
For as long as I live, I will never cease to be amazed at how so many different looking children can come from the same two parents.
My husband and I have five children – five very distinctly different looking children. The oldest is very Italian looking, like his father. He has very straight black hair, very dark eyes and dark features. Son #2 two has brown hair, (that was blond-almost white- for years, then got darker) and is extremely curly (ringlets kind of curly). He has light brown eyes, medium skin and features and wears glasses. The third child is a girl with black hair like brother #1, but it’s curly like brother #2. She also has dark skin and eyes and wears glasses. Child #4 is female and has the same features as #2 son, except that her hair is wavy, not curly and was never blond. Baby girl, #5, has straight dark brown hair, light features, freckles and green eyes.
It’s like God was pulling traits from a hat. I just think it’s funny.
And, if those aren’t enough differences, each one possesses a unique personality and a totally different learning style from his/her siblings.
(A girl’s gotta have a mean bag of tricks to teach in that kind of home school.)
The phrase ‘learning style’ is used often these days and is simply a catch-all way to express the fact that each child has unique methods by which they are able to absorb and process and remember information.
You’ve probably noticed that while one child seems to love performing his work in workbooks regularly, another child would rather pull his own teeth than sit for even 5 minutes working in a daily workbook. Some children love to employ constant help and intervention while others prefer to work completely independently. Some children memorize things more easily with constant review, while others require every kind of song and dance imaginable to get things to “stick” in their memories.
Learning styles
When I first began home schooling, I purchased a pricey phonics curriculum that required a significant amount of memory work. Son #1 sailed through it with ease and utter enjoyment. (Enjoyment. I said it.) Son #2 wanted to run away from home every time I tried to use that same curriculum with him. It drove him batty (and hence, he drove ME batty.) Lesson learned.
This is the point at which a wise parent/teacher concedes that it might be a good time to investigate the differences in learning styles – and make adjustments.
A great first step in that direction is to discover whether your child is, what is often referred to as a ‘right brain’ or ‘left brain’ thinker. Scientists tell us that different parts of our brains are responsible for our abilities to do different things. While the left side of the brain seems to be responsible for our ability to function in all things logical, sequential and rational – the right side allows us to think randomly, intuitively and subjectively.
Most people generally exhibit characteristics that seem to suggest that they use one side of the brain more masterfully (or at least more often) than the other. Since most curriculum is geared toward a more left brain learner (focusing on auditory and sequential aspects, as well as a lot of writing) children who are considered right brain learners often struggle to keep pace though they may be quite intelligent. It makes sense to find out which kind of learner/thinker – left brain or right brain – your child might be. Most people are a combination of the two, though they tend to lean a little more in one direction than the other.
For younger students, consider the following tendencies:
LEFT BRAIN LEARNERS
- Tends to seek structure in the school day
- Memorizes best by repetition (auditory or writing)
- Likes to know the plan for each day, week, etc.
- Tends to work well independently
- Likes to make lists, and check them off as tasks are completed
- Thinks things through with multiple pieces of evidence before coming to a conclusion
- Tends to find math interesting and is very good at it.
- Likes the predictability and conciseness of workbooks
- Can work well within a self-paced computer curriculum
RIGHT BRAIN LEARNERS
- Likes spontaneous events, versus planned events
- Memorizes best by using meaning, color, pictures, story and emotion
- Does not plan ahead regularly
- Prefers much involvement with parent while doing daily lessons
- Does not work on items sequentially, but skips around in his/her work
- Makes quantum leaps when learning – figures things out with little evidence
- Finds math quite repetitive and somewhat boring
- Prefers projects and discussions rather than book work
- Does not do well with self-paced or computer curriculum
For older students, consider the following traits:
LEFT BRAIN CHARACTERISTICS
- Verbal
- Responds to word meaning
- Sequential
- Processes information linearly
- Responds to logic
- Plans ahead
- Recalls people’s names
- 8. Speaks with few gestures
- Punctual
- Prefers formal study design
- Prefers bright lights while studying
RIGHT BRAIN CHARACTERISTICS
- Visual
- Responds to tone of voice
- Random
- Processes information in varied order
- Responds to emotion
- Impulsive
- Recalls people’s faces
- Gestures when speaking
- Less punctual
- Prefers sound/music background while studying
- Prefers frequent mobility while studying
As I mentioned, most curriculum tend to teach to left brain learners. If your child (especially in early elementary grades) shows signs of difficulty with memory skills, focusing and attention OR if he/she has a genuine dislike for “traditional” desk work very early on in the game, OR if the situation has reached a point where your spouse is hearing rumors of an impending mother/child smack down during school hours – then you may want to look into some right brain teaching strategies.
The beauty of right brain methods is that both right brain and left brain learners seem to love the techniques and they are very effective for both groups. Here are a few suggestions listed by subject.
SPELLING
- Train child’s photographic memory capability
- Teach the word retrieval technique that spelling bee winners use
- Avoid using writing as main means of learning spelling words
- Use colors and pictures and humor on the letter or letters in a word
VOCABULARY
- Have students draw cartoons to aid in memorizing vocabulary words
- Make a drawing of the meaning of the word
- Use pre-made vocabulary cartoons by homeschool dad Sam Burchers
MATH
- Teach the problem and answer as a whole rather than in parts
- Use stories, emotion and pictures
- Make visual charts of math processes whenever possible and keep them displayed
PHONICS
- Use color and pictures to make phonics memorable at every opportunity
- Train the brain to store the sound and picture as a unit
- Employ music and/or singing to teach sounds
READING COMPREHENSION
- Train students to change words into pictures when listening and reading
- Teach them how to make a movie in their head as they read to increase comprehension/memory
- Add specific/recognizable music to reading time
WRITING
- Model how to see their whole paper or paragraph before they write it
- Show them how to write only one or two words to remind them of the whole thought
- Don’t correct spelling errors on the paper. Instead, put misspelled words into the next spelling lesson
For space reasons, I have only briefly listed a few suggestions for helping your right brain thinkers with their work. The following is a list of online resources that are packed with detailed information to guide you in creating an atmosphere where your little right brainers (as well as left brainers) will be able to function and excel.
RESOURCES:
- http://www.web-us.com/brain/braindominance.htm
- Teaching Your Right Brain Child – video by Dianne Craft
- Right Brain Children in a Left Brain World – by Jeffrey Freed
- VocabularyCartoons.com
- http://diannecraft.org/
- Right Brain Math – by Dianne Craft
- Lindamood Phonemic Awareness Program
- Dyslexia: How do I Teach this Child” – by Dianne Craft
- Use Both Sides of the Brain – by Tony Buzan
- http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/
Last thoughts. It is important to remember that struggling learners usually do not learn independently, but need much teacher involvement to be successful. And, don’t forget to pray for the ability to be able to employ some of these techniques regularly and the wisdom to discern exactly where your child’s greatest needs are. God is aware of every detail. Just ask Him!
Darnelle is a wife and a mother to 5 children: 4 homeschoolers currently in 3rd, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades and one college sophomore. All 5 children have been home schooled from preschool. She has experience teaching in public, private, parochial and special schools but her favorite . . . is home school! Her certification is in the areas of special education and remediation. Her writing aims at assisting parents in finding and then correcting trouble spots that often cause academic problems and struggles. Children – and their parents – who are free from the burden of academic struggles, can begin to love learning again, just like God intended! Visit her blog, All Things Work Together.
Review: Five times Five is not Ten
Five Times Five is not Ten: Make multiplication easy by Susan Greenwald (Longevity Publishing;2008) is a practical supplementary workbook on the multiplication facts that includes easy-to-learn strategies on how to teach the math facts to students who are having difficulty. The workbook is designed for any age student who needs to memorize, learn, remember, master or become more fluent in multiplication facts.
This reproducible book includes 148 pages of practice pages including: introduction, practice, cumulative practice and review. The lessons can easily be individualized for different learning abilities. Parents should not feel a need to complete all of the pages with their children. Some children may need to while others need only complete some to demonstrate mastery. Samplings of addition and/or subtraction facts are mixed in for essential review. Parents who may be nervous about teaching math facts will enjoy the “Guide to Introducing the Facts” (page ix) which is a scripted page on how to introduce the math facts to students and “How to use this book” (page v) which offers helpful tips on using the workbook. Parents are encouraged to use manipulatives ( cubes, buttons, paper clips, chips, etc) when introducing math facts for the first time.
How to use the workbook in teaching math facts:
- Use a set of multiplication flash cards to test the child to determine the baseline of which facts are known. Known facts are those that are answered quickly and correctly. Children should not count to know the answer. That is not mastery.
- Record known facts on the included Math facts baseline recorder (page 153). Transfer the information to the Record-Keeping checklist (page 154). After marking the known facts, the unmarked spaces will allow you to easily see which facts need to be learned. The workbook is designed to be used sequentially, so start with the first workbook page number where there are unmarked spaces.
- Use manipulatives when introducing math facts. If you need a script, use the Guide to Introducing the facts (page ix). Children need to demonstrate an understanding of the meaning of multiplication before we ask them to memorize the facts. As new facts are introduced, mark them in the Recod-keeping checklist. Seeing those filled pages will give students a feeling of accomplishment, so be sure to show them their progress or allow them to mark off completed squares.
- Students should practice at least three times per week; daily is best. The workbook includes 33 sets of introductions and was designed to introduce a new set of facts on each lesson day, but you should adjust to your child’s comfort level and ability.
- Encourage the use of the strategy name when reviewing math facts. It is important that students associate a fact with a strategy rather than count out an answer on their fingers. When stuck on a math fact, you should remind them of the strategy and state the strategy name to recall the answer.
- Celebrate when all the math facts are mastered!
The key to this workbook is the strategies suggested for each math fact. Parents should view the 14 sample pages for further explanation and a better visual explanation. They are impressive! I wish I had been taught my multiplication facts in this manner when I was a child, I might have actually enjoyed math. Susan Greenwald’s book is compatible with any math curriculum you may be using but should not be used until your child has successfully mastered addition and subtraction.
This workbook should be on every homeschool parents shelf. This is a purchase you will not regret.
For more information, visit Susan Greenwald’s blog.
Retails for $24.95 (new)
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
Join Amy Bayliss and her son Gevan for a special event and giveaway!
July 13, 2009 by The Amies
Sign up for CurrClick Live’s Meet and Greet Open House Wednesday, July 15th, from 7-9 PM CST including a FREE, totally live kids activity presented by Heart of the Matter Online. Amy Bayliss and her son Gevan will be leading a Flat Stanley, pen pal activity for kids of all ages!
Teachers will be answering questions, giving presentations about their classes and “handing out” enrollment discounts!
You can register here, right now!
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE:
7:00-7:15- Wieck Math and Science LC: Melinda Wieck discusses the Beginning and Advanced, Live Algebra classes she’ll be offering in the fall. Melinda is a highschool Math and Science teacher.
7:15-7:30 – Bright and Blessed: Susan Bertrang is a Georgia Certified Teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience. Find out about her wide variety of fun, self-paced classes such as, “Getting to Know Shakespeare” and ‘Writing Well.”
7:30-7:45 – Lessons Worth Learning: Loretta Rhodes, homeschool Mom of 4 and a teacher of 20 years talks about her very popular live History, Geography and Literature classes and answers questions.
7:45-8:00 – Triple G Academy:Angie Marcum talks about her popular Art and Nature classes as well as her academic Saxon-based Algebra I and II classes. Mrs. Marcum is a homeschool Mom with her BS in Secondary Mathmatics.
8:00-8:15 – Become a CurrClick Live Teacher Q&A:Interested in teaching for CurrClick Live? Attend this discussion, find out more and get your questions answered. Staley Krause, one of the CurrClick/CurrClick Live founders discusses the ins and outs of teaching for CurrClick Live.
8:15-8:30 – MathTools: Patrick Martin, homeschool Dad and Math teacher and tutor, will discuss his live math lab, where he helps students with math problems they may be having, and his 1 on 1 live tutoring option.
8:30-9:00 – Heart of the Matter Online: Night time activity for kids courtesy of Amy Bayliss and her son from Heart of the Matter Online.
Creative Homeschooling: Math
June 26, 2009 by AmyS
Counting Money
If your husband often comes home from work with spare change in his pocket, use this as an opportunity to teach your child to count money. If they can correctly count the change, they can put it in their piggy bank. Once they master counting the coins, alter the rules: they can have the change if they can correctly add the amount to what is already in their piggy bank. You can keep a tally on a piece of paper or white board.
Skip Counting
For most kids, skip counting by 2’s and 5’s is a cinch. But let’s face it, sometimes even us adults stumble on skip counting by numbers like 6 and 7. There are many CD’s available that teach skip counting to music, but here is a free and extremely giggly way to practice your skip counting while making your child feel appreciated and loved.
Me: I love you more than 6 cookies
Him: Well, I love you more than 12 PB&J’s
Me: I love you more than 18 pizzas
Him: I love you more than 24 ice cream cones
Me: Well, I love you more than 30 pieces of cheese!
Him: Wow, you really love me!! I love you more than 36 Magic Tree House books
Me: And I love you more than 42 bags of chips.
…and so on
Breaking the Code
Get rid of those boring math worksheets! This is an exciting way to practice those math problems.
- Use assigned number values for each letter of the alphabet (print sheet)
- Write your child a message or joke, using addition, subtraction, multiplication or division problems instead of letters. It is up to your child to complete the math problems in order to solve the message. Here is an example:
Question: What happens when you tell an egg a joke?
Answer: It cracks up
Math War
Teach your child to play the classic card game War. After a while, change the rules so that instead of one card, you must play 2 cards and add up the total to see whose amount is higher. For example: I lay down a 4 and 7 and my son lays down a 2 and 10. 12 beats 11 so he wins the hand!
More Math War
Play the game the regular way, with one card each, however this time the winner of the hand must recite the multiplication fact before they can truly win the hand. For example: I lay down a 4 and he lays down a 7. His card is higher but he cannot win the hand unless he can give the answer to 4×7.
Amy is a devoted wife to her husband of 11 years, a Classical homeschooling mom to a seven-year-old Superhero and the co-founder of Heart of the Matter and A Woman Inspired Ministries. She has a passion for genealogy and is aspiring to be a Proverbs 31 lady. Be sure to visit her blog at Milk and Cookies.
Review: Mathematical Reasoning
June 2, 2009 by Karin
Beginning Mathematical Reasoning by Dough Brumbaugh & Linda Brumbaugh (Bright Minds; 2005) is part textbook and part lapbook. Geared for the 3 or 4 year old child the book focuses on the introduction and beginning concepts of 5 NCTM Standards: Number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement and data analysis and probability.
While the workbook portion of the book involves circling, coloring, drawing, writing, or filling in the blanks, the textbook portion may just involve counting, pointing or discussing the answers with a parent which is certainly age appropriate and helps keep learning entertaining for the young learner.
The illustrations and layout are appropriately sized, colorful and uncluttered. While it is advisable to follow the lessons in order, parents may choose to skip ahead if a child is enjoying a particular skill set since they are repeated throughout to reinforce learning.
There are enough skills and lessons in this 235 page book to cover a prek3 and prek4 year with some supplementation (using manipulatives) by the parent. Though children all develop at different rates, the first half of the book is best for a typical 3 year old, while the last half of the book may be better suited for a 4 year old due to the writing that is involved to complete the lessons.
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
Yes, You MAY Play Video Games
March 12, 2009 by Angela
Have you met the Didj? I was asked to try out this great invention last Fall and from the moment it came out of the package my kids were hooked! They were amazed at how much it ‘looked’ like other video game systems and surprised at how good the graphics were for a LeapFrog (AKA kid’s game).
My husband quickly installed the Learning Path program and made an individualized site to track each kid’s progress. It must have been successful because now every time my kids play their games and upload to the site I get a personalized email that shows their strengths and weaknesses in their age brackets. I love this feature!
Something else I particularly love is that in order to progress through the levels in each game, the kids must accomplish whatever learning goal (math, spelling, etc.) is set before them before moving forward. This is a great incentive for them to do well! The system also allows them to use their points on their site to earn new characters and accessories.
So, you understand why I love this game system… but there is more! It is an award winner!
- Parenting Magazine – Mom-Tested Toys of the Year Award 2008
- Parents Magazine – Best Toys of the Year Award 2008
My top three recommended Didj games:
1. LeapFrog: Didj Custom Gaming System: Indiana Jones for Ages 7-10
Did your kindergartener or first grader come to you last year begging to see Indiana Jones? Both of mine did, but let’s face it, not all movies fall into their maturity level. The Indiana Jones game on the other hand is all adventure without any of the adult content.
This is a math game and they will be learning addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
2. LeapFrog: Didj Custom Gaming System: Star Wars, The Clone Wars for Ages 6-9
Star Wars…where do I begin? I mentioned “Star Wars Crafts” one time on one of my blogs and the traffic from that phrase has been unlike anything else that I have ever spoken about. I am amazed at how popular the series is three decades later. This game is no exception. My boys love it and begged for me to buy it the second it hit the shelves. It has been played so many times that I cannot believe it has lasted this long. Best feature of the Didj when this is played for hours on end? The volume button that shuts off. (You would think that for a woman that spent her early years wanting to be Princess Leia I would be more tolerant.)
Another great math game: Decimals, percentages, place value, shapes, and fractions.
3. LeapFrog: Didj Custom Gaming System: Spongebob, Fists of Foam for Ages 6-9
Okay, I was a skeptic too…but this game was soooo worth it. Like the math list above for the Star Wars game? This game has the same list, but appeals to those SpongeBob enthusiasts. My 5 year old loves this game and is excelling in her math practice well above her grade level. Yes, it is silly. Yes, it is nonsense. But they love it! They love it so much that on Saturdays when they have free video game playing the Didj is always in use. They have no idea how much they are learning on their day off. And I won’t tell.
Angela DeRossett is military wife, homeschooling mother, and an advocate for autism research. Angela can be found blogging at Homeschooling the Chaotic Family and Memoirs of a Chaotic Mommy.
