Tag: bedtime

  • On Time? You Used Math!

    On Time? You Used Math!

    Are you ever on time? Are you always on time?

    Are you sometimes close to being on time?

    Chances are, you did math to make that happen.

    And you do a lot of math to be on time.

    If you have to be at work at 8:30, you might do math like this:

    8:30am – 30 minutes – 1 hour – (3 x 9 minutes) = 6:30am

    or

    be there at 8:30am – 30 minutes drive time – 1 hour get dressed time – (3 x 9 minute “snooze” on alarm) = set alarm for 6:30am

    Which means you did conversions (minutes to hours), approximations (a 9 minute snooze is basically 10 minutes), subtraction and multiplication.

    You might even do algebra to be on time.

    You might even do some “what can I give up to sleep more” algebra. It goes like this:

    7:00am + 30 minutes + 1 hour + 9 minutes + x = 8:30am

    or

    it is now 7:00am + 30 minutes drive time + 1 hour get dressed time + 9 minutes for the snooze button I really want to hit – x (approximately 9 or 10 minutes of something like washing hair, eating yogurt instead of eggs or shaving legs) = be there at 8:30am

    Notice this is also substitution!

    Use this to positively influence your children.

    The next time someone says, “I haven’t done math in years,” point out to them they do math all the time. In fact, they likely did math to get there on time!

    Especially point this out if you’re in earshot of a child.

    When kids hear how math is used effortlessly and frequently, it helps to demystify it. And when it’s demystified – they become more familiar and comfortable with it.

    And you know what that means? They’re more engaged!

    You might also like:
  • Count 10 Read 10: Random Number Game

    Count 10 Read 10: Random Number Game

    Learning math isn’t just about being taught math. It’s about fun, discovery and experimentation. In the Count 10, Read 10! program, parents get to spend 10 minutes a night playing math with their children.

    Like many games you’ll find here, this is a version of Calvinball (from Bill Watterson’s Calving & Hobbes cartoon). You and your children make up the rules as you go along or as you see fit.

    This is merely a guideline or starting point.

    Random Adding

    Objective:

    Have fun with numbers, counting and quantities.

    Breakable rules:

    1. The leader starts by saying a number.
    2. The next player says “plus” and another number. Then adds them and says the result.
    3. The next player says “plus” and another number. She adds that to the previous result and says the new result.
    4. Play continues until a winner is determined.

    Example

    Leader: Five!

    Player 2: Plus three is eight!

    Leader: Plus one is nine!

    Player 2: Plus two is eleven!

    Leader: WINNER!

    End game, and how to choose a winner.

    The round ends when the youngest child reaches their limit of counting or adding. The winner is determined by a rule or random choosing. The older the children, the more “real rules” you’ll need to follow.

    Possible winning rules:

    • The first person to add up to 10 – or a number designated by the leader at the beginning of the game.
    • The person who noticies that another player is wrong in their calculations (this is perfect for the parent to “test” the kid).
    • At the whim of child or parent.

    Variations

    The point is to have fun with counting and math. As your children grow, you’ll have to adjust the rules to give them more challenge and to fit the “real game” model. Here are some options for variations:

    • Each player can only add a multiple of their age (grownups use one of the digits from their age).
    • Each player can only add a multiple of a roll of a die (get foam dice for bedtime).
    • Subtraction – instead of adding up, start with a higher number and add down.
    • Multiplication – instead of adding, multiply each new number. This one could get “fun” really quick!

    Will it work?

    All games created at MathFour.com are tested or will be tested on Daughter. The rub is that Daughter is almost 2 – we’ll have to wait a while to do this one. So your input is important.

    Will it work? Did it work? Try it and let me know how it goes in the comments, please. Also share your own variations.

    Related articles