December 03, 2013

Jeopardy Review

At the end of the first semester, I always do a review of what we've learned the past few months.  Every time, I try to make it fun so that the kids won't realize that it's a "test."  Last year, I decided to do a game of Jeopardy, with each subject being a category.  Each question progressed in difficulty, with the number being how many points were awarded for a correct answer.

To make it, simply cut pieces of construction paper in fourths for the rectangles.  You can go ahead and write the category headings on one color, but I would recommend not writing the numbers in until after you have selected the questions you want to use and written them out.  Then, label them 1-4 according to difficulty.

Scriptures, Character Building, and History were combined for the one I made, and up for grabs by anyone since I teach the same lesson to all of my kids, regardless of grade level.  The remaining four subjects have color-coded rectangles for each person; Orange for J, Pink for D, and blue for F.  These rectangles have grade-appropriate questions for that particular student, with 4 levels of difficulty each.  In order to come up with the questions, I just randomly picked questions out of their work they had done during the year, and labeled them 1-4 according to how difficult they were.

To play, simply let each child have a turn choosing a question and answering it.  Remember to keep track of points!  It's up to you if you want to make your kids take turns after every question, or let them pick another question if they got one right.

This game is simple to make, simple to play, and lots of fun!!!

August 31, 2011

Right- Brained Math

Last year, one of my kids was really struggling to memorize math facts. I couldn't understand why because we went over them with flashcards frequently and reinforced with activities.

This summer, I was doing some research and discovered this child is a right-brained learner and needs to approach math differently than their left-brained siblings. I learned everything I could about right-brained learning and techniques, and found that the right-brained learner needs a different kind of flashcard for math; one that would appeal to their artistic side and provide visual cues to stimulate their memory. This is why it is crucial to have the answer on them, and in a different color. One website suggests taking it one step further and making up (or allowing your child to make up) a story about each flashcard.

For example, 1+4=5: "Number 1 Bob the Bun was on his way to the castle to visit Sleeping Beauty. When he arrived, Number 4 Flora and Merriweather were arguing over what color to make the princess's dress. They shot magic sparks back and forth with their wands, and Number 1 Bob the Bun walked right in the middle of it! Unfortunately, Number 4 Flora had thrown some magic sparks at the same instant, and Number 1 Bob the Bun broke into 5 pieces. 1+4=5."

I was ecstatic to have found an answer, but bummed to learn that the recommended flashcards were $30 a set. Needless to say, I was reluctant to spend $60 on flashcards, so I created my own. I have uploaded them for anyone who wants to use them.

The characters are supposed to look or sound similar to the number they represent, so if you use these, be sure to introduce the characters to your child by name. The addition and multiplication characters are different for each number to avoid confusion. They are as follows:

1. Bob the Bun
2. Stu the Shoe
3. Timmy the Tree
4. Don the Door
5. Henry the Hive
6. Pixie Sticks
7. Beven the Seven
8. Nate the Eight
9. Pete the Pine
10. Peggy the Pen

1. Sam the Sun
2. Blue (the Blob)
3. Lee the Bee
4. Flora
5. Clive
6. Betty Bricks
7. Sven
8. Gil the Gate
9. Ina Porcupine
10. Ben and Glen
11. Ele and Venn
12. T. and Wilve

Click on the links above to download the flashcards.  I hope these will be helpful to someone. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.