Math Helps for Little Guys (and maybe adapt for older students, too)

Students who have difficulty memorizing math facts often have different ways of learning.  The following activities are designed, not only to be fun, but also to provide opportunities to learn in different styles.

 

 

1. Let your child write the facts with water on the sidewalk, using either a plastic squirt bottle or a paintbrush in a bucket of water.

 

2. Empty a carton of salt into a gift box or shallow baking pan.  Allow your child to write the facts with his finger in the salt.  (This activity can also be done using yogurt or pudding.)

 

3. Use your finger to write a math fact on the child’s back.  Ask him to identify the fact you have written and give you the answer.

 

4. Have your child use his finger to write the math fact in the air.

 

5. Let your child write his math facts on a chalkboard or marker board.

 

6. Have your child invent a motion for each number in the math fact (or teach him the numbers in sign language).  Have him say the math fact out loud, making his motions for the numbers, and then tell you the answer.

 

7. Have the child do jumping jacks or other exercise while saying his math facts.

 

8. Cut out pieces of colored paper in different shapes (ex., red triangle, blue rectangle, green circle, yellow square).  Do not repeat a shape or a color.  Write a number on each shape.  Have the child choose two of the numbers and give you the appropriate math fact that uses those numbers.

 

9. Have your child write the facts in color, writing the first number in red, then using different colors for the other letters.

 

10. Have your child invent a song for the math facts.  (There are also many commercially-produced tapes of math facts set to songs.  Public libraries often have these for loan.)