Summer Math games

While we hear about lots of summer reading ideas and programs, we all know summer math can suffer from neglect. Leaving math to wither over the hot summer means needing review as you start up again in the fall. Some classroom settings may spend one, or even two, MONTHS reviewing!

Let's not. Encourage your child to keep up his math skills; with estimation as you go to the store, with one or two math lessons each week, or the most fun, with games.

We used a board from a standard board game, 2 standard dice and a special die with the math symbols on it, +, -, etc. We found one at our local teacher store. Each player would roll all 3 dice, to yield 2 numbers and one symbol. The player performs the function, say, 3+5=8, and moves his token that many spots. It makes for a painless way to review those math facts.

If you do flash cards, make that a game. Each time the child can give the correct answer, let her keep the card. Who has the biggest stack after once through, you or the child?

There are unlimited possibilities, choose a variety of games and activities you both enjoy, and jump start your school year!