Pegs
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Posts posted by Pegs
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I'm not familiar with the Magic Tree House books, so don't know if these would be at an appropriate level, but a couple of my little brothers really loved the Collins Eyewitness Guides around that age, and for the next few years. We used to gift them to each other as kids, because it was so special to be able to find a whole book about a single topic that someone was interested.
My other thought is that maybe your DS would like a history encyclopaedia?
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Oh I think I see what you mean! Math is definitely not my strength, no! I honestly have no idea how I made it through high school math with such poor number sense.
Looks like Lego arithmetic and sets will be on the menu shortly.
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Paper plates seem to have become a permanent fixture in my life! I'm not going to use my daily *legs able to stand* time at the sink, every day!
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Forearm crutches won't fall over every time you need to use your hands for something, because they stay attached to you. This is what I use when not in my chair.
Make sure you know how to safely navigate stairs, too. On the way up, your unaffected leg goes first, followed by affected limb and both crutches, one step at a time. Going down, you lower the affected leg and crutches onto the lower step, then bring your unaffected leg into line with them. You could check youtube for a quick tutorial if you're not sure. I can assure you that it is far more taxing than bed rest!
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Oh, I see! Thanks for explaining it.
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My son loved Balance Benders by the Critical Thinking Company at that age. Math analogies were fun for a bit, but he quickly tired. He would still do balance benders if they made more.
Sitting down and reading Euclids Elements while playing with this website is a lot of fun. You could read them in the formal language and then translate them to him. He could play with the applets and see the postulates so that it made sense to him.
http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/java/elements/toc.html
Baking and food with fractions is ideal at four or five. Some kids love to do it with money as well. Mine was all. About eating :)
Base systems are nifty as someone mentioned above.
The PBS show Cyberchase introduces all sorts of fun math concepts in a very enjoyable cartoon way that might appeal. He could then play with the ideas as an extension.
^ All of this looks great. Thanks for the suggestions!
Some kids love probability, but multiplication/division are needed to really extrapolate. However, you might be amazed at what he can understand in the right circumstances. I have no idea where I got most of my math knowledge. I just always remember knowing intuitively quite a bit.
Platonic solids are fascinating. There are just a bajillion things you can do with them. Check out your library for various kids books discussing all the ways they are used from architecture to chemistry.
I shall. Ta :)
Fibonacci numbers, the Golden ratio, and fractions are also great because all of them are present in nature everywhere. Rivers branching, nerves and blood vessels, trees, flower petals, they are everywhere. It is like you begin to see math in the world everywhere. But then, I am a bit of a pure math geek....
I still remember the moment that I figured out the next few terms of a Fibonacci sequence which a relief teacher had written on the board in grade three. Then when I learnt more about its significance, I was outraged that it had been kept from me for so long.
I went through a pure math geek phase at 15/16, completely out of nowhere. You make me want to feel it all again!
This is very simple, but have you had him color in any graph paper pictures? I don't know what they are called, but we did them in school when I was a kid. You get a coordinate and a color, and after a while it takes shape as a picture. The coordinate can be the solution to a math problem, but in his case you could just have it listed.
I feel a little daft here, as I'm not sure how a worksheet could ask one to colour a coordinate? I'll see what I can find on google. I'm sure it will make more sense when I see it. He'd probably enjoy something like this, especially with a surprise picture.
Stuart Murphy Mathstart books cover things like perimeter, negative numbers, etc. in a gentle way.
Eventually I would also explore Penrose (and others in that series) as well as Sir Cumference.
The mathstart books don't look like something we'd get much value out of, at this point, but I appreciate the suggestion. They look like a great way to introduce concepts which aren't coming entirely intuitively, so I'll definitely keep them in mind.
How does he like Lego? If it's a hit, there are lots of activities beckoning.
He loves Lego. I have no idea whether he's particularly skilled with it, though. He seems to really get in a zone with it, so I could strew activities and concepts, but I'm reluctant to be providing any formal instruction via Lego if he would rather be exploring it his own way. Though, he does ask me to play Lego with him, so I guess I could just try things out and see what sparks an interest. I'll see what I can find online. :)
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The St Clare's and Malory Towers books are just a notch up from Famous Five, but still tame, IIRC.
I remember reading a few stories by Nina Bawden when I was emerging from my Blyton phase, around the same age: Carrie's War; The Witch's Daughter; The Peppermint Pig.
Over Sea Under Stone, and the books which follow, by Susan Cooper
Maybe try some Victor Kelleher?
Has Ursula K Le Guin written anything suitable for this age group? I don't remember whether the Earthsea Quartet might be a little advanced. I know I enjoyed it when I was just a tad older.
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Wow! These are all so wonderful! Thanks people. I'm really glad I asked. :)
Here is a useful website that would let him play with making all kinds of graphs. http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/
You would have to help him, especially at first, but I bet he would figure some things out on his own too. The neat thing about it is that once the data is entered you can then select different options to show the data graphed in different ways.
Hope that helps!That looks fun. I might show him how we can enter data from observing the growth of a sunflower, or similar.
Take a look at Cub Scout materials for
-mathematics belt loop and pin
-1-2-3 Go! and Swing! the materials for math and engineering respectively
They go thru some fun stuff that appeals to lads, and you'll have friendly resources for codes and map & compass.
Here is also a fun morse code site: https://www.nsa.gov/kids/games/gamemorse.htm
You have a box of lego w/gears, right?
I had not seen any of this stuff. And what? There is Lego with gears?! I am sooo out of touch. He would love that. He is inheriting a sizeable Lego collection, a portion at a time, from my brothers. I bet they'd get right into scaffolding some dynamic builds with him. Thank you.
The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat (and other similar books which will show up when you type the title into the Amazon search bar).
I saw this recommended on one of Quark's threads, but it's hard to sift through long lists of resources and figure out what might be suitable for where a particular child is at, so it's helpful to see that you have suggested this here.
My daughter is 4 and a bit advanced. Books that she likes are the Penrose one already mentioned, the Time-Life I Love Math series (out of print, but easy to find used online), Stuart Murphy's MathStart series, and a couple of the Sir Cumference books (All the King's Tens is probably the easiest out of these).
Some math games that work for her are Toss Up! (keeping score on an abacus), Math Dice Junior, and the RightStart games.I'll follow up on those books also. Thanks for sharing what your 4yo has enjoyed. We love keeping score with an abacus or c-rods too. I'll go and read more about the games you have suggested.
Don't worry about the fine motor skills for origami. It will improve with age (says mom of kiddo who still has fine motor issues at 12). The more you do the better he will get. Kiddo loved graphs of all sorts too. When you are giving him coordinates, ask him if he can identify the relationship between the x and y coordinate. Plot another few along a straight line and ask him if he sees patterns.
That's reassuring, ta! Yes, he can keep plotting if I give him a few points to start with. And if I change the gradient he thinks I am being extra funny. "Whaaat? Go up two every time? That's just no deal. Hilarious!" I'm not sure what that means, exactly, but he's obviously having fun. Maybe he can do his pre-writing practice with dot-to-dots he has to plot first.
I strongly suggest looking into modular arithmetic, also known as clock arithmetic in some circles. Playing with mod really helped my son to understand some finer points of cryptography and group theory. The nrich parent site of the link I included has lots of good stuff for all ages by the way.
He does read analogue time quite comfortably, so would probably really enjoy this. It looks like it would go beyond him fairly quickly, but he may not be far off catching up. We'll play around and see what happens.
Play binary/ trinary (other number system) verbal games in the car. We assigned numbers to alphabets (and he also did some reverse alphabet ones) and had him crack codes in base 10, base 2, base 4 etc.
Prime numbers of course.
Both of these might need to wait until he is multiplying and dividing with ease? We'll see. I'll be curious to watch whether he takes to it intuitively. He counts in base 2 with an abacus a little way. It's slow, but he seems to get it.
And introduce the pascal triangle (have him make his own and stop at a point where he is comfortable) and see what patterns he is able to see in them.
What a fun way to practice adding, for a start!
See if your library has the out of print Young Math books. These are gems for kids your son's age! Some PDF versions here: https://naturalmath.wikispaces.com/Young+Math+book+series
Thanks! I'll see what I can find.
You should look into geocaching or letter boxing! My DD was super into it when she was 3-6 years old. She and DH went all over the place. Lots of good things to learn and get outside doing it!
Yes, he would love it! I don't have the best mobility, so I'll outsource this one if I can. I have a little brother who would probably be thrilled to do something other than minecraft with him.
My DD loved the Critical Thinking Company's "Think a Minute" books-they had a mix of puzzles and problems she really enjoyed. Prufrock press has some good ones, too.
In both cases, the grade level printed on the book is where you'd use them with a classroom. For home, I'd suggest going up a grade level or two, so for a preschooler, I'd look at 1st-3rd grade labeled books. They will probably be a good fit.
I have wondered about some of the materials on that site, but like the book recommendations, it's hard to assess their suitability without actually flicking through them. I'll take your word for it, though. Thanks for your note on the grade levels, too. :)
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Hi there!
This is my first thread over here, and I'm a little nervous. I'm not sure whether DS is gifted, bright, autistic, just odd, or a combination of these. I figure many here will have seen it all, though. :)
I'm doing lots of math play with DS, and have discovered that he has quite an aptitude for graphs and the like. After he enjoyed a simple bar graph activity I had printed off for free, I introduced him to the x and y axes, and Cartesian coordinates. Well, he easily and joyfully identified the ordered pair for each point that I had plotted in the first quadrant, then moved on to the others like they were no big deal.
Where to next?! His computation is exactly where I'd expect a nearly-5-year-old's to be, and he is not particularly driven to study - he just enjoys the board games and kitchen table style math play we do. He is a bit of a delight-driven dabbler, I suppose. He finished the lite version of dragonbox, so I'm making him a Hands on Equations equivalent. He really likes maps, and remembers anything that I point out to him once or twice. Maybe some kind of orienteering project? I bet he'd take to using a compass with a little exposure. Is there a particular style of geometry I should look into? His fine motor coordination is lacking, so origami is unlikely to be much of a hit.
Please throw ideas at me! I'm sure others here have provided stimulation and inspiration for kids who are big thinkers, but unlikely to benefit from significant acceleration in certain areas. I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks in advance,
Pegs
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Hahaha! My DS loves the cell discussion also. I asked him the other day how he got so awesome, and he told me: "Well, I have awesome cells, and they just made more and more awesome cells! That's how I got this pretty cool eye." *squints and points at his eye*
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I totally agree! There's a lot on the PC that just isn't possible on the pocket edition.
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For those with the xbox version, was it easier to do the computer having done the xbox? Are they similar enough that what you learn on one transfers? My 8yo is wanting the xbox version, and I figure in a year, he'll either be bored with it or want the more complex computer version.
My 4 yo transitioned from the tablet to the PC without a problem. I would be really surprised if your 8 yo had any difficulty with switching between the various platforms. :)
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Yep, definitely the PC.
Tablets are great for playing together in the same house, though. DS and I both have the pocket edition, and play together daily.
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That's great to hear! We might give it a go. :)
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I like it because it is universally true. :)
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Physics in Australian highschools is algebra based. Calculus isn't taught until years 11 and 12, and not everyone takes the mathematics subjects which would cover it anyway. From memory, the only mathematics required for yr 11 and 12 physics would be solving simple linear equations; Pythagoras and some basic trig, for calculating vectors; and I guess just being confident with arithmetic - working with fractions, scientific notation, etc.
It's a great course for accelerated, younger students who'd like something more than Conceptual Physics. We actually used the textbook as a supplement for our algebra based coursework when I took the classes. :)
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FWIW, I worked through pre-algebra on Alcumus before starting Intro to Algebra, and my mathematics education was not dissimilar to yours. I'm finding it all fairly straightforward, and getting through a couple of chapters a week. I'm about to add Intro to Geometry, and will work through them concurrently.
I'm excited for you. :)
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DS has requested lego for his birthday, and I am lovingly crafting relevant manipulatives for Hands on Equations for him for Christmas.
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Where are all the self-edders with the inspiring quotes? I'm just not that resourceful!
This week I shall:
- wait for my compass to show up in the post
- complete chapters 5 and 6 of Intro to Algebra
- Read the first two Kitchen Table Math books to try to figure out where DS is at
- Learn some Danish Christmas songs
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My mum journalled privately, and encouraged me to do the same. When I was about eight, I wrote a particularly scathing note at the beginning of a blank journal she gave me - something along the lines of, "How dare you? I knew this was your plot all along! How would you feel if I read YOUR journal?"
I kept it in a drawer with my socks and undies, and didn't record anything in it at all. I have never read any of her private writing, and looking back, I believe she would have afforded me the same privacy. I'm not sure why I didn't feel comfortable with the risk. I suppose because I would have been so devastated by the betrayal.
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???s for O-G Certified Tutors
OG tutors hey? I guess they're really hardcore, and use vintage texts.
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Hilarious!
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We don't have a yard, and getting out and about is quite difficult for me, so DS doesn't get outside as much as I would like.
But, I do make a concerted effort to really make the most of our outside time, and I make it last by taking a picnic rug and a read aloud or game, so that even when he has had enough of nature walks or just general play, DS and I can extend our fresh air and sunshine time, without complaints. We also take a trapeze, climbing rope, and swings to the trees near our house, for lots of strength building play. Most weeks we spend an entire day at the park with friends, too. Many of the kids take scooters, and just generally run wild and free.
Also, I have set up our living space in such a way that DS can be quite active inside. He can run around, play with lightsabres, dance, jump on the mini-tramp, set up obstacle courses, etc. We keep the floor clear so that I can get about in my chair, so DS has plenty of space to fling himself about when the mood strikes him.
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I'm just about to wrap up my algebra work, having taken a couple of days off. Two chapters a week seems to be quite comfortable for me - it's nice to know what's appropriate to aim for, for the next little while.
Geometry hasn't happened, because I can't find my compass for the life of me! It must have gone missing in one of my many house moves. I've ordered one, which should be here some time next week. I'm filling that gap in with some Martin Gardner puzzles, for now.
Minecraft? Pokemon?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
I play minecraft with my (just!) 5yo. The mathematics generally comes up fairly organically, as we both mine and craft for each other, and keep track of how much of something we have in our chest. For example, we don't craft armour unless we have enough of a material to be able to make the same piece for each of us. I might point out a patterns that I notice - "ok, so every time we want to restock our tools, we need however many pieces of whatever." Or I do my calculations out loud, to give him the language for the calculations he is doing in his head anyway.
We also write signs for each other, and leave them up in our minecraft house, to surprise each other. :)