Tip #213 from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents (McKinley, Trombly): Math is a Cake Walk

Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly.

#213

It's a Cake Walk

Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may not remember. Involve me and I’ll understand.

~Native American Proverb

Materials: index cards or flash cards

Objective: to walk around, finding answers to math problems

Some children are very good visual learners. They only need to see information, and they can understand. Other children are auditory learners. By simply listening to information, they can comprehend. Many children, however, are kinesthetic learners. These children need to move around or touch physical objects to help them understand. If you have a kinesthetic learner at home (or even if you're just looking for another fun way to help your child practice math), try this game to get her moving and touching and increasing her comprehension of any basic math facts.

To play:

1. Place index cards or flash cards with whatever math problems your child is working on or struggling with in a big circle on the floor. Spread them apart like the numbers in a traditional cakewalk.

2. Have her start in the middle of the circle while you call out a question such as “What is 2x4?” (Alternatively, you can use flashcards) Have her walk over as quickly as possible and stand on or by the index card with the correct answer.

Variations:

● Play with two or three people, and see who can find the answer the quickest.

● Have her time herself. How fast can she find the answer to five or ten problems? Have her play again and try to improve on her time.

● Write the equation on the index card and say, "The answer is 8." She would then have to find and walk to the equation that equals 8 such as 2+6 or 2x4.

● Keep it interesting by asking her to hop or skip or gallop to the answer.

● How about giving her a break and let her quiz you! You will find the answers, but she will be learning also because she will have to tell you if you are correct, thus reinforcing the facts she is trying to learn.

Cindy McKinley Alder Patti Trombly

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