Linda Chan Rapp
Almaden Valley
Christian School
April 2005
Early Math Ideas
Principles for
nurturing early math learning:
1. Make it Concrete
Pre-math
concepts: same/different, one/one more, patterns, more/less, patterns,
spatial/time concepts (sequencing, first/last, before/after)
Manipulatives… and Beyond! K.
Richardson, Developing Number Concepts
Support
multi-tasking: e.g., Coin counters
Fingermath
(chisanbop) – using your hands as a base 10 abacus to figure out the math
problems you don’t have by rote yet
(totally different than Touch Math http://www.touchmath.com/
) see Edwin Lieberthal, The Complete Book of Fingermath
2. Make it
Kinesthetic
Counting
calisthenics
Link
practice with a favorite motor activity such as swinging or bouncing a ball
3. Make it Simple
Avoid busy,
distracting worksheets
Teach your
child rubrics to apply to problems
Attack
Math
T-I-N-S for word
problems: Thought, Information, Number Sentence, Solution Sentence
Set your child
up for success
4. Make it
Meaningful
Personalize:
tie lessons into interests, every day experiences
Build on
what you know they know
e.g.,
Place value houses – Math U See
Discovery
as a learning style
Talk about
paying “the next dollar up” whenever you shop together
5. Use Visuals
Number line
– Tuley and Bell, On Cloud Nine:
Visualizing and Verbalizing Math
Giant
number line; or finger puppets with a regular sized number line
Play with
Numicon. Numicon - Maths SystemNote:
Numicon is a visual, tactile bridge for internalizing math concepts through a
series of play-exercises using pegs and tiles that are a cross between Cuisenaire
rods, dominoes and Legos. This is a
complete system that teaches vocabulary and concepts as well as independent
math thinking.
Different kinds
of flashcards
6. Play Games
Peek-a-boo
0 to 5 to 0
Five Finger Friends (1 up, 4 down…
2 up 3 down…)
Hopscotch and
bean bags
Make your own
problems using playing cards
< >War,
Fractions War, dominoes
License plate
math
Use a flashlight in a darkened room
(when skip counting by 5’s, etc.)
Board games (with money, or dice,
etc)
7. Use music
– patterns (rhythm, higher/lower); plus Learning Songs
Note: don’t be afraid to make up
your own learning songs (see below)
8. Use variety
– be eclectic in reinforcing your teaching focus
Sesame
Street for number recognition, rote counting
Take advantage of your captive
audience when in the car
Computer
programs: Edmark’s Millie’s Math House,
Trudy’s Time and Place House, Zoo Zillions, Carnival Countdown
Use the
Internet: intermediate coin tutorial: http://arcytech.org/java/money/
Kid Klok telling time tutorial: Kid Klok Time Tutorial
9. Use literature
to support various math themes, and to promote discovery such as:
M. Anno. Anno’s Math Games; also
Anno’s Counting Book
L. Bemelman - Madeline - arrays (6x2)
D. Birch - The King's Chessboard - doubling,
counting by 2's
L. Ehlert - Fish Eyes - counting, counting on by 1
Learning Songs
Sounds Like Fun
- Discovery Toys tape: 10’s, Counting to 20 (and beyond by 10’s)
Rock’n’Learn Telling Time video for time-telling
rubric
“1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, God has made a way to heaven /
7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Through the blood of his dear Son”; and Countdown song –
Child Evangelism Fellowship Salvation
Songs
“Penny, penny, easily spent” to the tune of Twinkle,
Twinkle, Little Star. This song plus tons of other money resources are at www.mrsjones.org/songs/money.html
Eden’s Songs
Skip Count by 2’s (tune: Oh What a Beautiful Morning)
Skip Count by 3’s (tune: Au Claire de la Lune)
Doubles (tune: Three Blind Mice)
3+3 is 6… 4+4 is 8…
5+5 is 10… 6+6 is 12…
7+7 is 14… 8+8 is 16…
9+9 is 18…and 10+10 is 20
Backwards from 20 (tune: Irish Jig)
Friends of Ten (tune: Taps)
Friends of 10… 1and 9…
2 and 8… 3 and 7… 4 and 6…
5 and 5… All make 10; Friends of 10!
Quarters
One quarter 25, two quarters 50;
Three quarters 75, Four make a dollar.
25, 50, 75, a dollar,
25, 50, 75, a dollar