Building Tens Family With Duplos

In first grade math, Rebekah had to add a column

of three numbers for the first time.

One of the tricks they taught

was to find  combinations of ten first.

We call these facts

The Tens Family.

Every member of this family has to = 10.

 
 

 

 First, I had Rebekah make stacks of Duplos,

from 1 to 10,  in two colors.

 

 While she was busy placing the stacks

neatly on my Quilting Mate,

I made a simple worksheet using Word.

 

Next, I had her fill in the worksheet,

combining the stacks of Duplos,

to find the answers.

From Left to Right

10 + 0 = 10

1 + 9 = 10

2 + 8 = 10

up to

10 + 0 = 10

I love how the Duplos clearly show the members

of the Tens Family,

and the beautiful patterning of numbers. 

They are bright, easy to use,

and make Math class feel like play time.

You could also use Legos,

if you don't have crawlers around,

who would feast on your manipulatives.

Next, I had her match up problems with the same addends.

(The numbers you add together are the addends.

The answer is the sum.)

This is the Commutative Property for Addition.

Remember that from Algebra?

a + b = b + a

so

1 + 9 = 9 + 1

2 + 8 = 8 + 2

For each math fact they memorize,

because of the Commutative Property,

they usually are learning two problems.

The exception?

You're right.

The doubles.

In this case, 5 + 5.

I use the term Commutative in first grade. 

Kids love big words.

If they can't remember the word, fine.

But, they can still understand the concept.

I tell my kids the smarter they are,

the less math they have to learn.

By using the Commutative property,

they only have to learn 6 problems

in the Tens Family, instead of 11.

Again, the Duplos clearly show the beautiful patterning

of the Commutative Property.

Scroll back up and admire the picture.

This is one of the reasons I love math!

You so easily see we have a God of order.

 We finished off the math lesson by easily tackling the math worksheet.

You can see where she swooped the numbers together,

to first make ten,

then add the third number.

(The other swoops were for doubles.)

I was so excited about this lesson,

especially since it is the end of the year,

and I am really, really, ready to quit.

 Beka later said,

"Math took a little longer than normal, Mom,

because you really got carried away."

To soften the blow, she added,

"But that's OK, Mom, because I like Math,

especially when you get to play with Duplos."

SCORE!

Heart Flashcards

At the beginning of the year, I wanted to make triangle flashcards for Rebekah.

I just used index cards, my paper cutter and a Sharpie.

Simple, easy, kinda ugly.

But, they worked.

Introducing math facts in this form shows the relationship between the numbers.

You can make two addition facts and two subtraction facts.

3+6=9

6+3=9

I introduce addition using the algebraic term "Commutative Property."

Remember a+b=b+a from 9th grade Algebra class?

It doesn't matter what order you add the numbers in addition,

the answer is the same.

If they remember the term, you're eight years ahead. 

If they don't, no biggie.

9-6=3

9-3=6

They can say the facts out loud, or write them down.

You can hold the cards up, covering one corner and ask them to fill in the missing number.

You can have them sort through all the cards and find all the other cards in the 9's Family -

5+4, 7+2, 9+0, 1+8

Then, the inspiration bug bit me.

I love hearts.

They're like a triangle.

I think children learn better when color and touching are involved.

I like to cut and paste.

That was my major, didja' know?

The larger heart is aobut 1 3/4 inches across.

The smaller one is 1 inch across.

I poked a hole through the hearts, pushed in a heart brad.

Used my sharpie to fill in the numbers.

You don't see the answer....

...now you do.

You can write neater.

I have had to give up my perfectionist ways for reality.

If I am a perfectionist, they won't get done.

Then we can't use them.

Then Beka ain't gunna get smarter.

Beka at the IKEA easle writing four math facts for the flashcard.

I found an adorable heart tin at the thrift store for $.99.

Life is good.

I wish I could promise you that she LOVES to use them,

but I am always real and honest.

They are prettier,

they are funner, (it's a word today)

and I had a blast making them.

She doesn't love using them,
 because she doesn't love math.

But, I'm doing what I can to make the journey more pleasant.

Maybe, with a few more bites from the inspiration bug,

she may learn to love math.

It's a goal I am shooting for.

Until then, I'm happy trying to find ways to
cut and paste those facts into her brain.

Any ideas for improving? 
For other skills you can teach with the hearts?
I'd love to hear your ideas.


(For other inspirational ideas from homeschooling mommies,
pop over to the blog carnival at Preschool Corner.)

Counting By Tens

I was a little frustrated that I couldn't find my 1-100 number chart when I needed it.

I know I had touched it several times earlier in the year when I didn't need it.

I looked in a few obvious places, then gave up.

We made do.

Using a piece of posterboard, I just markered in the first rows of numbers.

As I taught Rebekah how to count by tens, I filled in a few columns.

Then, I had her fill in the rest of the rows.

I was pleasantly surprised that she caught on quickly

and enjoyed being able to use the PERMANENT Magic Marker.

It bothered my type A personality that it wasn't perfectly ordered,

but it worked.  Sometimes my rubber bands are just too tight.

An unorgainzed disappointment turned into a blessing,

because writing out the numbers cemented the concept more quickly

than just reading along with the store-bought chart.

Of course, a few days later  I found the chart in my bedroom,

in a pile that should have been dealt with months ago, 

 so I will use it to reinforce the concept.

Brain Hats

I love to cut and paste.  In college, I would sometimes even proclaim  "Cut and Paste" as my major, instead of Elementary Education.  It was the best part of college, other than reading children's literature.

True to the contrary nature between children and parents, my kids don't always enjoy cutting and pasting.  They want to do their worksheets and get school done.

When I found these brain hats made by Chris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers,  who got them from Erin,  who got them from Ellen, I knew this would be a manditory cut and paste project.  I can always use more brains.  It seems I haven't had a rational, complete thought for years.  It seems when you start having babies and start talking baby talk, the brain cells just....uh....uh....umm.....what was I saying?

I showed the rabbit trail I took so you could see the blessings just one blog can lead you to.

There were two options, labeled or self-labeling.

Yep, I chose labeled.

We had to finish quickly or the unfinished projects would be

 accidentally?!?!?!

 shoved under couch cushions,

slipped behind a dresser,

 get kicked under the stove or fridge,

(well, how DOES stuff get under there?)

or eaten by the dog, and we don't even have a dog.

If I only had a brain!

Oh, I guess I do now.

So does Jon.

So does Rebekah.

She's doing math wearing her hat,

so I can see what portion of her brain she is currently using.

See that little yellow area? 

Yea, it's churning out math facts -

if I taped it together correctly and if Beka is wearing it correctly.

The post brain project construction area.

Not too bad.

No paper cuts, no unfinished projects.

Another win for the Cut and Past Momma!

Princess E from the Silent Kingdom

There are times in homeschooling when a  little more instruction and activity than what the curriculum provides is necesary to cement a new concept. I have always made up little games, projects, worksheets, manipulatives and activities, but never kept track of my ideas.  Blogging has provided that storage house for me.

Please let me introduce Princess E from the Silent Kingdom.  She doesn't speak, but she has the ability to change a short vowel sound in a single syllable word into its long vowel sound. 

I bought the clothespins and stands at Michaels and my son, Jon, drilled small arm holes in them for me so they would be ready to create. Rebekah did the painting, the face creating and most of the gluing.  She used chenille stems (we used to call them pipe cleaners) for arms, yarn for hair, a remnant with princess fluff on the bottom for the royal robe.  Princess had a crown, but it fell off and the vacuum ate it.

We made our own flashcards to show how hat turns to hate, fat to fate, tap to tape, win to wine.  I purchase these great plastic index card boxes at the beginning of the year when they are very cheap and keep them in a supply box until I need them for an activity.  Rebekah decorated the box with princess stickers.

Princess E regalty presides over the desk when we are going through the flashcards so we remember her special ability.

The original idea came from these vintage cards I found years ago.  Of course, I couldn't find them at the time, so I made  my own set.

I added and "ed" and "ing" card for later suffix lessons.  You can see more clearly how the root word is written on the card and the  "e" is written on the folded end.

You may feel you don't have time to do anything above and beyond your core curriculum, but sometimes it may take a day or two of worksheets for a new concept to kick in, so a project can relieve the pressure your child may feel while trying to master the skill.  The project doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't even have to be something you keep for all the kids.   Creating releases the frustration your child may feel.   By the time we were done creating and were reviewing, it made sense to Rebekah. Now, a casual glance at  Princess E reigning from the bookshelf is all it takes to review this phonics skill in her mind.

It's All Worth While

Homeschooling is a hard path. I can't gloss over the reality.  Buying books and supplies for an entire year is a challenge.  Keeping up with each subject for each kid is more challenging.  Recording grades and filing proof takes diligence and organization.  Being kind and patient as you repeat the same instructions over and over and over is challenging.  Breaking up another fight when the kids have lost their cool without losing yours is more challenging.

When homeschooling is added to a life that already includes three meals and two loads of laundry a day, the task can only be tackled with Undaunted Courage.

But, every day, there is always that little reminder,

that little reward,

that little encouragement...

....that reminds you that it is all worth while...

(a love note on top of the pile of work that needs to be corrected)

School on a "Raft"

One morning, Rebekah decided to do her school on a "raft." In case your family doesn't play this incredibly fun game I used to play with my siblings, the rules are as follows:

1. Make a raft. Usually it is a blanket on the floor.

2. Collect your supplies. You must be well-prepared. This includes snacks...

...sleeping babies.....

....schoolbooks and tea. (in the background.)

3. Stay on the raft. You may not leave the raft once you shove off into the salty ocean waters because there are sharks in the ocean.

It was a good thing we weren't far from shore, yet. Rebekah had to retrieve my forgotten coffee cup so had to jump from the "dock" to the "raft" so she wouldn't get eaten by sharks.

(This is the trump card that the adult holds and the kids don't understand until they are adults. Yes, they are playing a fun, creative game, but they are STAYING IN ONE PLACE. :) Get it?
It can make a mess, so I remind the kids that supplies are limited and you have to live primatively on a raft. We are into survival, not luxery.)

Jon, after courageously braving a shark attack to stoke the fire, decided to stay in the murky waters, despite Beka's urgent warnings.

AAWWWWWWGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!! Bitten by a shark.

He'll have to learn to listen to a woman.