Interactive
Homework Activities
Dear Families,
Most parents will agree that it is a wonderful experience to cuddle up with
their child and a good book. Few people will say that about flash cards or pages
of homework. For that reason, I have prepared this web-site to offer some Math
and Reading activities that are meaningful as well as fun. You might want to try
some of them to help your child explore relationships, solve problems, and see
math and reading in a positive light. These activities use materials that are
easy to find. They have been planned so that you and your child might see math
and reading is not just work we do at school but rather, a part of life.
Let's Discuss Shapes
Activity One
What you'll need:
*Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert
*Shape Book
*Cut out geometric shapes
Introduction:
This activity will help your child understand that geometric figures are a
part of life.
What To Do:
1. Initiate a discussion of the various shapes using the
laminated shape
book that was made in class. Have your
child point out different shapes within
your home.
2. Introduce Color Zoo to your child explaining that the
author/illustrator has combined shapes and colors in an
almost magical way o
create the animals he/she will see.
Then share it with your child. After the
child has viewed and
enjoyed the book, ask the following questions:
1. What do you see in the pictures in this book?
2. What do the shapes in this book look like?
3. Did the book show any of your favorite animals? Which?
4. Where have you seen these animals before?
5. How many shapes can you name in this book?
6. Do you have a favorite shape? What is it? Why?
7. Where else do we see shapes?
Activity Two
What Shape Is Your Shape In?
What you'll need:
*Cut out geometric shapes
Introduction:
This activity will have your child combine attribute pieces to make larger
designated shapes or figures. As your child listens to the pieces asked for in
the new figure they should place those pieces in front of him/her and design the
picture asked for.
What to do:
1. Ask your child these questions and have them design a
figure.
2.Use the same size rectangle and circle to form an "i."
3. Use the same size rectangle and triangle to make an arrow.
4. Use the same size rectangle and hexagon to make a stop
sign.
5. Use a large triangle, a large circle, a small circle, and two
small hexagons to make a clown head.
6. Use a large triangle, two large rectangles, two small
squares, one small triangle, and one small rectangle to make
a dog.
7. Use one large triangle, one large circle, one large square,
two large rectangles, two small rectangles, two small circles,
and two small hexagons to make a person.
8. Use six small squares to make a sun.
9. Can your child make any other figures with these pieces?
Have him/her create one of their own and share it with their
class.
The
Grocery Store
Activity Three
The grocery store is one of the best examples of a place
where math is real. Sine trips to the grocery store affect everyone in the
family, the following activities include various levels of difficulty within the
activity.
Get Into
Shapes
What you'll need:
*Items at the store
*Shape book
What to do:
1. Show your child the pictures in the shape book before going
to the store. This will help to identify them when you get to
the store or have the child
bring the book with them.
2. At the store, ask your child questions to generate interest in
shapes. Which items are square? Rectangle? Can you show
me some? (Have the child
use the book for quick
reference.) Which shapes have flat sides? Do any have
points at the top?
Boxes, cans, rolls of toilet paper, ice cream cones and cones
that hold flowers, plus produce such as oranges, grapes and tomato are all
geometric shapes. Recognizing these shapes helps children connect math to the
real world.
Weighing
In
One fun place to try out estimation and measurement skills in the grocery
store is the produce section where everyone can have the opportunity to
participate.
What you'll need:
* The grocery store
What to do:
1. Help your child examine the scale. Explain that pounds are
divided into smaller parts called ounces and 16 ounces
equal a pound.
2. Gather the produce you are purchasing, and estimate the
weight of each item before weighing it.
3. Use examples questions to foster thinking amount
measurement
and estimation. You might want to ask your
child. "How much do you think 6 apples will weigh?
More
than a pound, less than a pound? How about the peaches?
Will 6 peaches weigh more or less
than 6 apples?"
Activities like this help children develop number sense for
weight and foster the ability to compare items when measuring.
It's In
The Bag
Here's some fun estimation to do with bags full of groceries.
What you'll need:
*Bags of groceries
What to do:
1. Have your child guess how many objects there are in the
bag. Ask: Is it
full? Could it hold more? Could it tear if we
put more in it? Are there more things in
another bag of the
same size? Why do some bags hold more or less than
others?
2. Estimate the weight of the bag of groceries. Does it weight 5
pounds, 10 pounds, or more? How can you check your
estimate? Now compare one bag to another. Which is
heavier or lighter? Why?
This activity exposes children to the experiences of counting
items and comparing qualities, as well as judging spatial relationships and
capacity. It shows how to estimate weight by feeling how much the bag weighs,
comparing it to a known weight (such as a 5 pound bag of sugar), or weighing it
on a scale.
Put It
Away
Now the sorting begins as you put away the groceries.
What you'll need:
*Your bag of groceries
* Counter top or table to group items on
What to do:
1. Find one characteristic that is the same for some of the
products. For
example, some are boxes some are cans.
2. Put all the items together that have the same
characteristics.
3. Find another way to group these objects (size, color
shape...).
4. Have the child group the items together that go in the
refrigerator. In the closet. In the pantry. Under the sink. In
the bathroom. Sorting helps children develop
classifying and
reasoning skills and the ability to examine data or
information.
Homework
Helpers:
1. Tackle homework early. Allow your child only a short
time--no more than half an hour--to unwind after school.
2. Make sure your child understand the assignment. A
home-to-school notebook in which the teacher explains the
assignment and the parents signs off daily can help.
3. If your child doesn't understand the assignment, help
him or her to break it into smaller, more manageable blocks.
4. Use a timer and reward your child for each 10 or 20
interval the he or she works without giving in to outside
distractions.
5. If your child can't finish the assignment, modify it, and
write a note to the teacher explaining the problem.
6. Be consistent. Children need routine.
7. Give lots of praise. All children thrive on it.
Back to Home Page
