• Child jumping
    Common Core - Common Core State Standards - dyscalculia - Fractions - Homeschool - Math Education - Middle school - Multiple Intelligences - Professional Development - Special Needs - Tutoring

    Fraction Jacks! Or if you’re British, Fraction Stars.

    August 16, 2023 - By 

    A common problem educators face is to make fractions fun and intuitive, especially if their own education was lacking in this respect. One activity I developed that helps with this, and can be done with children of a variety of ages, is Fraction Jacks. What are fraction jacks? They are not the game with the bouncing ball and the funny-shaped pieces, though I’m sure something great could be developed with those. Instead, they are a physical activity that uses kinesthetic intelligence and mind-body connections to understand fractions. Here is how to do them. If you or your students have figured…

  • Homeschool - Math Education - Middle school - Printables - Singapore Math - Teaching - Videos

    Pi Day: Pi Music and Classroom Activities

    February 4, 2013 - By 

    With March (and spring!) right around the corner, many teachers are already thinking about celebrating Pi Day, or March 14. This is a great day to celebrate how much fun math can be. I was inspired all over again by this music video using Pi to make music.   If you would like to make Pi Day fun for your students, there are lots of fun ideas in this lesson plan, available from Teachers Pay Teachers for $1.99. I also offer a free downloadable Pi Poster showing almost 1,500 digits of pi. My students always love these. Enjoy!

  • Middle school - US Education - Writing

    Letters to the President

    February 23, 2011 - By 

    Among my students are three brothers in middle school whom I tutor in writing. They are all honors students whose parents hired me as a tutor for enrichment. One activity I’m doing with them is to write a letter to the president. It’s simple enough to do: the White House website has an easy-to-use contact form, like those found on many websites. Or, of course, the letter can be mailed. The activity sounds straightforward: the students should write about an issue that is important to them and send the letter to the president. It is an opportunity to discuss civics…