3 Ways to Make Math Fun

Let’s face it, there are a lot of kids out there who don’t like math and dare I say, hate math.  They approach it like pulling teeth.  However, there is an alternative.

Make math fun by playing games!!

I know, it sounds difficult but it doesn’t have to be.  Here are three simple ways you can get started.

1. Use a Timer. 

I don’t what it is about a timer but when I do math drills with the kids and set the timer for 5 minutes and we see how many we can do in that time correctly, they enjoy it.  You can make it even better by calling out the question and letting them write the answer on a small whiteboard.  If you have multiple kids, consider having them wait until you say “go” to show their answers so the younger kids don’t feel left out since they may still be learning. I ask addition facts, subtraction facts, multiplication facts, and division facts. Anything you want them to master, make it a game.

2. Use playing cards. 

Simple playing cards can do amazing things.  “I declare war” can teach your children greater and less than. Math Bingo can help your students perfect their math facts by asking a math fact and they cover the answer on their Math Bingo board.  I am currently working on a math card game in my Teachers Pay Teachers store so be on the lookout for that announcement when it comes!

3. Do a math escape room.

In an escape room, kids use their basic math and reasoning skills to help escape a location or scenario. Kids can solve jigsaw puzzles, match addition and subtraction facts, complete number bonds, and use their critical thinking skills. You can create one in your home or online.  Here is one that I created called the Home Alone Math Escape Room (Flex) that starts today and goes for four weeks. It is perfect for kids ages 6-10. The great part is, you can do it whenever you want. 

I hope these three tips get your brain going and helps you bring joy to your homeschool!

Almost End of Year Reflections

The 2020-2021 school year is ALMOST over! ALMOST!

I can feel it in my bones.

But it’s not over for us until they have taken their standardized testing in June.

This year my two oldest (ages 10 and 13) will be taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) but we will also do a test run of the California Achievement Test (CAT). I think the CAT might be more reflective of our homeschool style but we will see as I have not administered it yet.

This year has had many ups and downs. We started off doing fully online with Monarch and Math-U-See. Unfortunately, while I LOVED the structure that Monarch gave since I’m a working, homeschool mom, my kids did not.

They groaned and moaned for half the year. Then in February, we did the Homeschool Gone Wild Boot Camp with Karla-Marie and I decided to change it up a bit with a more student-led interest learning.

Now we are back to good ‘ole fashion, DIY Curriculum. Math-U-See and documenting it all in a trusty planner has been the only constant.

As Proverbs 16:9 says,

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”

Proverbs 16:9 NKJV

So while I make plans, I am still sensitive to where God is leading. We have gone through many different curriculum choices and I can’t wait to see what the next school year will bring. One thing is certain though, I want God to continue to direct my steps.

Tips for Navigating Homeschool Conferences

It’s that time of year when homeschool conferences are well on their way (See the events in Salem-Winston, NC, and Atlanta, GA in May and July respectively).  If you have never been to one, it is truly an inspiring, rewarding, and at times overwhelming experience.  If you attend with no goal or vision or budget in mind you might find yourself swept away.

As a result, I created a FREE Homeschool Conference Planner to help you navigate the exhibit hall and the multiple sessions.  Here’s how to use it.

Curriculum Budget

On the first page, you will see the Curriculum Budget which we sometimes call the Exhibit Hall Planner sheet.  Homeschool conferences are great places to attend workshops but the biggest blessing could be the Exhibit Hall where you can get great deals on curriculum.  However, there are so many options that if you do not have a game plan, you will lose yourself.  The Curriculum Budget sheet allows you to break down how much you intend to spend on each subject for each child.  We suggest you do some preliminary research to check out the going rate on what you desire.  We also suggest you think about your child’s learning style before you go out on a purchasing binge and get something that you will never use.  Google “Learning Style Quiz for Kids” and you will come up with several free options.

Conference Session Schedule

On the second page you will find the Conference Session Schedule for each day.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner have been put to remind you to eat and slots for sessions as well.  It is suggested that you have two (2) choices for each slot for two (2) reasons.  First, the session you want could be full and you might not be able to get in.  Second, the session you attend could be boring (WHAT??  It happens  ) and you would want a backup.  There is also space at the bottom for notes or additional items.

I hope you find this planner helpful.  To download the complete Homeschool Conference Planner click here.  What are some of the tips you have for navigating Homeschool Conferences?  Join us on our Facebook Page to share.

Get Your Free Homeschool Conference Planner

Homeschool Update: Trust God

Okay, it’s official. My curriculum this year will be eclectic.

I started off as an eclectic homeschooler but this year I tried to put myself in a box.

i.e. This year I’m just going to use Weaver

i.e. This year I’m just going to use Monarh

i.e. This Year I’m only going to use Sonlight Education Ministries

You know what I’m learning… God didn’t make us cookie cutter. He didn’t make us all with brown eyes! He didn’t make all mammals live on land!

If our God doesn’t live in a box, WHY do I keep trying to put my homeschool in one?

I think I found myself panicking. As a working, homeschool mom I sometimes wonder if work will hinder my effectiveness as a homeschool teacher. I am comforted by the fact that when I do my best, God will do the rest.

Dr. Mel at Pyschowith6 talks about trusting God with our success. Check it out here https://psychowith6.com/trustsuccess/

So what am I doing NOW in my homeschool?

Trusting God. Moving as He wills!

What are you up to?

Homeschool Update: Where Are We Now?!

You know what’s cool about homeschooling?

You can always change midstream!

You know what’s bad about homeschooling?

You can always change midstream! LOL!

It’s like a two-edged sword.

Remember back in June how I shared what our 2019-2020 curriculum would be? Well….let’s just say there’s been a change.

I loved the concept of Weaver! I really do. I really wanted to make it work and I think for my youngest there will be elements that I will keep on using. HOWEVER, after almost crashing and burning, I need to accept one staunch reality.

I am a WORKING, homeschool mom.

As if homeschooling was not enough, I also work teaching and tutoring math online. For now that is a nonnegotiable.

With that being said… I really don’t have the time to plan nice elaborate lessons PLUS when I am really tired or burnt out, I don’t have a ready made backup. I used YouTube as my Homeschool Substitute Teacher one time… but I can’t keep relying on that. I really felt like I was not giving my kids enough.

I know, I know, I said “while the online academy gave us structure (and I did see marked improvement in the ITBS scores), it still required hands-on from the parent and it still meant that I had to reteach a lot of the concepts. It was a lot of double duty.” But what I did not say was that while I had to reteach concepts, at least they were able to start the lesson on their own. On days when I am burnt out or backed up with work, having the online curriculum was a real blessing.

Lately, I’ve been crashing and burning. A lot of this is health related. I am anemic and trying to get to the bottom of the cause. For right now, I need all the help I can get.

With all that being said.

I am going back to Monarch!

I will continue the Family Bible Lessons from Sonlight Education Ministries as well as the Children’s Century Classics books which my kids love.

But we are going back to online.

Are you making any changes in your homeschool?

How to Create a Study Station, Part 1

Have you ever heard of a study station?

I stumbled across this idea as I was thinking about ways to help keep my kids on track. My youngest needs to be reminded of the days of the week, while my oldest needed to be reminded of her multiplication tables. My middle child is perfecting her addition and subtraction skills. How do I keep them all on task when I have limited wall space?

The answer, study stations!

The purpose of the study station is to create a portable space to help your child focus on their work.  If you have multiple students this also helps to minimize arguments since everyone has their own cornered space.  The study station also provides visual reminders for what needs to be done and what has been done.  If your child struggles with multiplication tables, or remembering to capitalize words, you can put these reminders on the board to subtly remind them as they complete their school work.

I immediately got to work! I hopped in the car and went to Dollar Tree to get our materials . Here is a video to share how we got started.

In my Teachers Pay Teachers Store you could get a copy of the materials I used, the steps I followed and some cool labels to add to your study station. Click here to learn more.

Come back for part two as I walk you through the final products and what we are working on in our homeschool.

Mommy Margin Challenge

I have been impressed to revive the No Mommy Left Behind blog so I thought is would be fitting to reintroduce myself.

My name is Andrea Hall and I am…

Well, who am I exactly?

I could say I’m a busy, working homeschooling mom of three, but that doesn’t quite cut it.

But in the midst of all of these roles…

I am in desparate need of MARGIN!

Have you ever gotten to that moment when you feel like you can’t handle one more thing?

Whether you are a working mom, single mom, working homeschool mom, stay at home mom or homeschool mom you might all identify with this picture:

In my unknown quest for margin I stumbled upon a book entitled Restoring Margin to Overloaded Lives by Dr. Richard A. Swenson.

The summary of the book says it all:

Are you lacking the time, money, physical or emotional energy to accomplish the tasks of a given week or month? Then you’re headed for system failure. Whether you’re facing burnout now or want to prevent it, these 11 lessons can help you understand stress and limits, find balance and rest, and maintain priorities.

Dr. Richard A. Swenson

Wow! I don’t know about you but I could sure use this in my life.

So what will I be focusing on in September? Margin!

To help me with accountability I am doing a Mommy Margin Challenge and I hope you will join me.

The plan (notice I said plan because we all know how life gets) is to do one chapter every three weeks. I think that’s doable, not too stressful but keeps the goal in mind.

I will be sending weekly challenge updates for those who join either in the No Mommy Left Behind Facebook Group or via email for those who don’t do Facebook and the best part is… it’s all FREE!

Are you ready for some margin in your life? Click here to officially join the Mommy Margin Challenge.

One Month of the Weaver Curriculum – What I Like

I just finished my first month using the Weaver Curriculum.

What I Like

I love the flexibility, the strong Biblical applications and the fact that it allows me to teach all three children at once.

The Weaver Curriculum gives me flexibility. The objectives and lessons are a framework, they provide a launching pad but you have to fill in the blanks. You can go as deep or as surface as you want to go. I first start with trying to find books on the topics at the library. I then would look on Google (YouTube) to find more current research on whatever topic we are studying. The dictionary and atlas have also been helpful resources as I introduce my 6th grader to vocabulary and notes.

The Weaver Curriculum has strong Biblical applications. Today was the perfect example. For Bible we learned about the Heavenly City, New Jerusalem, in social studies they have been learning about the current city/county we live in and for English they wrote a letter/poem about heaven. Everything is connected.

Finally the Weaver Curriculum allow me to teach all three children at once. I start with the basics that my 6 year old needs to learn, then he gets to play while I go into more depth with my 3rd and 6th grader. When that lesson is done, I call them back together to do the next topic.

So far, after one month it has been going very well. Watch the video review to see more.