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Summer School: Fun Ways to Add Math Into Your Child's Summer Equation
Local educators share teaching tips that will teach your child how relevant math is in their lives.
It's relatively easy to get most children to turn the pages of a book and discover a whole new world, but most parents would agree math doesn't always add up to a good time, especially when children have checked out for the summer.
Local educators say there are fun ways to get your child to discover how relevant math is in their daily lives.
Jay Nocco, the principal of Lane Elementary in Alexandria, says parents should avoid the idea of forcing a child to sit alone and memorize facts. Instead, take them shopping with you or spend the afternoon baking.
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"A lot of math can come out of the grocery store," says Kristin Koelsch, math specialist at Lane Elementary School.
Koelsch says for students in the upper grades, "give them the receipt and have them figure out the change or the taxes." Koelsch adds that it's also a great way to calculate a budget.
Find out what's happening in Kingstowne-Rose Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
For younger shoppers, have them count how many apples Mom or Dad is buying. Or challenge them by asking, "If mommy buys five apples at 10 cents a piece, how much would it cost?"
Anything in the kitchen can improve math skills, Koelsch says. Measurements, adding and subtracting the amount of ingredients, counting them, and even keeping time are great ways to mix math into their day.
When a child finishes a book, most parents probably feel satisfied and can safely say their child's reading skills are likely improving with each new chapter. But how do you measure math skills? "For 10 minutes each day have kids work on fact fluency," says Koelsch. "The goal is to have them answer within three to five seconds."
Interactive and self-checking websites are another useful tool. Koelsch recommends the following sites:
Whether it's dice, a game of War, a trip to the store or a nice afternoon in the kitchen, parents can keep math part of the equation this summer.
