News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
Thinking Thursday: That’s Mean 2 – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: Measurement is our way of connecting numbers to the things we find in the world, in daily life. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math…
Morning Coffee: When Math Makes You Feel Stupid – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
One of the best ways we can help our children learn mathematics (or anything else) is to be lifelong learners ourselves. Here are a few stories to read as you sip your morning brew. . . Download your printable Morning Coffee journal This week's rabbit hole started with a thought-provoking newsletter from Dan Finkel, which…
Why I Love the Math Journaling Adventures Series – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
My Math Journaling Adventures Series is now available on Kickstarter. I love these books! Writing is one of the best ways to learn math deeply, because wrestling our thoughts into words forces us to figure out what we really believe. It’s the natural, no-stress way to build our children’s understanding and confidence. Hit the button…
Math Journaling Adventures Launched: Order Your Copy Today – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
And so it begins: the Math Journaling Adventures is LIVE on Kickstarter! Check It Out ❯ ⭐ Don't delay! First-day backers get the best deals. Choose one of the Earlybird rewards: Earlybird 2-Logbook Sets in Digital, Paperback, Spiral-Bound, or Hardcover Earlybird Everything Bundles in Digital or Paperback To have a successful campaign, we need plenty…
Math Game Monday: Number-Tac-Toe – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
This delightful hundred-chart game features a perfect balance of number patterns and strategic thinking. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Number-Tac-Toe Math Concepts: counting, place value, number patterns, strategic…
Podcast: Making Math a Delight – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
I have a new podcast interview, and I think you'll enjoy it! Check out Pam Barnhill's Homeschool Better Together on your favorite podcast app, or listen on the website: Go to the podcast ❱ Here's an excerpt... When Kids Get Stuck The first thing to do when our kids get stuck is to celebrate, because…
Thinking Thursday: Learning – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: You can spark creative thought by removing any need to worry about spelling or punctuation rules. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or…
Playful Math 179: Our Sweet Sixteen Carnival – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Welcome to the sweet-16 birthday edition of the Playful Math Carnival. Originally called Math Teachers at Play, our first carnival was published in February 2009. Each Playful Math Carnival offers a smorgasbord of delectable tidbits of mathy fun. It's like a free online magazine devoted to learning, teaching, and playing around with math from preschool…
Thinking Thursday: Sonya Post’s Substitution Game – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: Games are the ultimate re-playable activity prompts. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools of learning: Notice.…
Math Game Monday: Make One – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
This game helps students visualize and make sense of fractions, one of the most important foundational topics for success in algebra. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Make One…
Why I Love Kickstarter – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Over the several weeks, you'll be hearing a lot about Kickstarter and my Math Journaling Adventures project. I'm proud of the books, and I want to spread the news as far and wide as possible. You'll appreciate how these books make it easy to weave playful math into your family's schedule. Just open to any…
Coming Soon: Math Journaling Adventures – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Coming Soon! On March 3, I'll be launching the first installment in my new book series, the Math Journaling Adventures. You'll love these books because they make creative math investigations open-and-go for busy parents and teachers. And the Kickstarter prelaunch page is now live. That means you can sign up to get an email from…
Morning Coffee: Professional Development for Homeschooling Parents and Other Teachers – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Lately, I've spent most of my writing time thinking about the value of narration—the Charlotte Mason approach to teaching by getting kids to put ideas in their own words. For students, I'm writing a new series of Math Adventure Journals to get them thinking about math and putting those thoughts into words. If you're interested, sign…
Math Game Monday: Tens Go Fish – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
This mathematical version of a traditional childhood game builds counting and addition skills. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Tens Go Fish Math Concepts: addition, number bonds for ten.…
Math Game Monday: Exponent Number Train – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
This game pushes middle-school students to deepen their understanding of multiplication and exponents. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Exponent Number Train Math Concepts: powers (exponents), estimation. Players: two…
Math Game Monday: Make and Take – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
In this game, players use addition and subtraction to make the challenge number chosen by their opponent. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Make and Take Math Concepts: addition,…
Thinking Thursday: Douglas Adams – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: What did the author mean? Put the thought in your own words. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math…
Thinking Thursday: Movie Warehouse – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: When students create their own math, they forge a personal connection to mathematical concepts and relationships. And it’s fun! Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a…
Thinking Thursday: Digit Products – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: People learn math by playing with ideas. A math journal can be like a science lab book. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic…
Playful Math 178: Nicomachus’s Carnival – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Welcome to the 178th edition of the Playful Math Education Blog Carnival --- a smorgasbord of delectable tidbits of mathy fun. It's like a free online magazine devoted to learning, teaching, and playing around with math from preschool to high school. Bookmark this post, so you can take your time browsing. There's so much playful…
Math Game Monday: 2-Dimensional Nim – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
This simple logic game is accessible even to very young children, challenging players to think ahead and play strategically. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. 2-D Nim Math Concepts:…
Thinking Thursday: Visual Patterns – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: Problem-solving cares less about whether an answer is right and more about whether a solution makes sense. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic…
FAQ: Can I Use Your Books as a Math Curriculum? – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
I recently listened to you on Cindy Rollins' podcast, and I was captivated by your perspective on math. It was exciting, freeing, and wonder-filled. I would absolutely love to be able to teach in the ways you described. We use early-elementary Saxon Math right now, which is thorough, but has SO MUCH to do that…
Math Game Monday: Exhaust the Relationships – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
This game helps students develop a powerful understanding of algebraic manipulation. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. So what are you waiting for? Let's play some math! Exhaust the…
Thinking Thursday: Claude Bernard – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: What did the author mean? Put the thought in your own words. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math…
FAQ: Real Math for Early Learners – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
“I love your image of math as a nature walk. My children are ready to start their homeschooling journey, and I want to put them on the right track from the beginning. How can I help them think about math and problem-solving without using a textbook?” The most difficult part of teaching our children real…
Math Game Monday: The Product Game – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
This may be the best multiplication game ever, forcing players to think flexibly about multiples and factors as they strategize their moves. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. The…
Thinking Thursday: Math History – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: Research prompts help students view math as a human endeavor. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving situation with these classic tools…
Memories: The Oral Story Problem Game – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Homeschool Memories... Perhaps you’ve heard me mention the oral story problem game. It was one of my favorite ways to get my children thinking about math, back in our early days of homeschooling. We played in the car on the way to soccer practice, or while we washed dishes, or sitting in the lobby waiting…
Math Game Monday: Race to Zero – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
This game offers subtraction practice with 2-digit (or larger) numbers. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Race to Zero Math Concepts: subtraction, mental math. Players: two or more. Equipment:…
Start the New Year Right: Playful Math Carnival 177 via Math Hombre – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
If you're looking for an entertaining way to weather the coming storm --- or just curious about how learning math could possibly be fun --- you'll definitely want to check out the latest edition of the Playful Math Carnival. It's a collection of awesome blog posts curated by John Golden and published on the Math…
Thinking Thursday: Explain a Math Trick – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: Math journal explanations avoid the formality that turns so many students away from geometry proofs. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving…
Puzzle: Henry Dudeney’s Pebble Game – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
English mathematician and puzzle-meister Henry Ernest Dudeney once wrote: “It may be said generally that a game is a contest of skill for two or more persons, into which we enter either for amusement or to win a prize. A puzzle is something to be done or solved by the individual. “The example that I…
Math Game Monday: Area Block – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
This game give students a strategic reason to think about calculating area. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. So what are you waiting for? Let's play some math! Area…
Thinking Thursday: Donkey Math – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: When students create their own math, they forge a personal connection to mathematical concepts and relationships. And it’s fun! Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a…
Holiday Countdown Craft – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Marking time is hard for children (and often for us adults, as well). I don't mean telling time, which has its own difficulties. But waiting, marking time until the Big Day or Important Event arrives. Whether you're counting down the days to Christmas, or the hours until New Year's Day, or waiting for a birthday…
Math Game Monday: Averages – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
This card game lets students practice their number skills while playing with elementary statistics. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Averages Math Concepts: addition, multiplication, division, elementary statistics. Players:…
Thinking Thursday: Octagons – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Writing to Learn Math: When students learn to visualize shapes, designs, and patterns, it makes them better at math. Do you want your children to develop the ability to reason creatively and figure out things on their own? Help kids practice slowing down and taking the time to fully comprehend a math topic or problem-solving…
Math Games for the Holidays – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Are you looking for fun ways to keep your children busy (and learning!) through the holidays? Here are two printable activity guides you might enjoy: Snowman Drive (My newest game activity.) Players roll the dice and build their creative snowman (or snowbeast). Will you make a fearless pirate or a dapper aristocrat — or a…
Math Game Monday: Place Value Nim – Denise Gaskins' Let's Play Math
Place Value Nim challenges students to think strategically while they practice their subtraction skills. Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play. Place Value Nim Math Concepts: subtraction, thinking ahead. Players:…