Teaching Fractions to the Active Child

       Fractions is a subject that causes a lot of frustration for students and teachers alike. 

    It’s a more abstract idea than previous subjects that most students have seen to that point. Parents sometimes feel at a loss trying to help their students understand this concept that can bring their child to tears. The following is an example of how fractions can be taught at home in a way that is hands-on and fun. Please note: this method of teaching is a process. It doesn’t have to happen all at once. This entire process can be done over the course of a week or two, and portions of it can be repeated in various ways until the concepts are adequately understood.

When introducing my kids to fractions, I like to begin with a recipe.

Recipes are a great way to get children interested in fractions, while also teaching practical life skills. This is a simple Playdoh recipe that is lots of fun for kids, or if you prefer to use something premade, you can find it inexpensively here. The advantage to making it at the start of this exercise is it demonstrates some of the different forms fractions can come in.


If making playdoh from scratch (or another other baking recipe), I like to begin with a larger glass measuring cup, as well as some smaller individual measuring cups. Show the students how 2- ½ cups fit into a 1cup, 4- ¼ cups fit into a 1cup, etc. Then, you can progress to the glass measuring cup and show the students how measuring with the smaller amounts into the large glass measuring cup reflects the label on the side of the glass measuring cup. Talk about doubling recipes and how that changes the measuring cups you use. Show them what that looks like. It doesn’t matter if they don’t remember everything at this point. You’re introducing the ideas and will come back to it again later. Completing this exercise in multiple forms (making cookies, banana bread, etc.) will help it become solidified in their minds.

This is a good place to take a break for the day.

Follow the recipe to make your playdoh. This is a good opportunity to discuss the importance of following a recipe (or any other directions) correctly, because failure to do so can result in a product that isn’t usable/edible. Even if we don’t understand the reason for certain instructions, it is important to follow them as best you can, especially if they come from parents or other authority figures.

Or, if your student is anxious to continue, you can play with the playdoh until they get bored. I encourage you to let them keep some playdoh in their hands to play with as you’re talking to them about fractions. The more the lesson comes across as play (with a little bit of learning mixed in), the more engaged they will be. Let them play with the playdoh. Make some shapes with them. Take time to enjoy the process. Everyone’s stress level should be low- if it’s high, that means it’s time to take a break for the day.

        When you’re ready to continue, make some playdoh balls that are approximately the same size. Use different colors if you have them. Flatten them out, and cut them into equal sections (as shown), and explain fractions as being a description of the number of pieces being used of a whole. 3/3 represents 1 whole piece circle (it’s all the same color), but if 1/3 of the pieces are replaced with a different color, that means 2/3 of the circle (two pieces) are unchanged. You can also describe it using the analogy of a pizza. Something like, “If your pizza is cut into 6 pieces but there are 12 people at the table, you would cut the pizza slices smaller so that everyone could have some, but the size of the pizza doesn’t change, only the size of the slices- right?”

        Let the student(s) play with moving pieces around from the circles. Have the compare the pieces from circles cut different ways, or let them try to fit a larger piece (1/4), into a smaller piece (1/6) or vice versa. None of this should be rushed. Children learn as they play.

When you are ready to introduce adding fractions, show them the relevance of the common denominator. The goal of the common denominator is to make pieces that are all the same size so you can accurately assess the new amount. By cutting the circles in a way that all the pieces are equal, the sections can be added together and then reduced as necessary.

If anyone is starting to get frustrated, take a break and try again in a day or two.

This is a small habit to implement, but it will help to keep the learning atmosphere light and fun, so learning happens more easily. Forcing things to happen will frustrate everyone and make learning more difficult.

These exercises can be repeated, in part or in whole, as often as needed to help get the student comfortable with fractions and manipulating them. It can also be repeated with cookies, pizza, or a whiteboard and markers. Ideally, repeat the same exercises in a variety of different ways to help keep it engaging. If the student is able to explain the subject matter back to you as if they are teaching it, they have a good foundational understanding of the material.

If you'd like ideas on how to teach other subjects in an engaging way, comment below with your request.

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What is Holding Your Child Back?

What is Holding Your Child Back?

 

Last year, I wrote an article that talks about finding a system of education that works for one’s family, and the importance of identifying a student’s driving motivation, to help make the teaching process easier and also to help increase retention of material learned. Since there is evidence that a student learns better about subjects for which they have an interest, this is a practical strategy for making the education process easier for everyone.

 

Understanding a student’s struggles can be just as important as knowing what motivates them.

 

          There can be several different reasons why students may struggle to learn, even about things they should be interested in. It is important to address these as they are identified, and to try and mitigate them as much as possible, because they all feed into the amount of confidence a student has, and confident students perform better.

         

If your child struggles with learning, answering the following questions may help to isolate the problem so adjustments can be made.

 

Is the student getting enough sleep at night? More than that, are they getting restful sleep? It is possible that a child may be sleeping enough hours but not getting sleep that is making them wake up refreshed in the morning. If a child mouth breathes, moves a lot in their sleep, struggles with sleep apnea, or wakes constantly during the night, these things can be signs that they are likely not getting the sleep they need and it can lead to several issues involving focus, mood, regulation of emotion, and more.

For our children, we have done a variety of things to help improve sleep, including palate expanders (to open airway and make room for adult teeth); chiropractic care (helps improve nervous system function so signals can travel through the body with ease); limit screen time- especially before bed, magnesium supplementation in the form of Epsom salt baths or body butter on their feet (I make an all-natural magnesium body butter that works very well for inducing sleep in wired children and adults and it can be found here), limit sugar and caffeine (good health practices for total body wellness), and occasionally a relaxing tea, such as chamomile or lavender, or a homeopathic remedy like calcarea carbonica if their minds just won’t slow down.

Does the student have a different learning style than the one being used to teach them? Some students learn by seeing things, hearing things, or by participating in activities or moving. A student who learns best by seeing things will struggle to internalize information if it is only told to them. A student who learns by actively doing will not learn as well if they see it on paper or even in a video demonstration. Most students benefit greatly from hands-on, immersive environments because they utilize all of their different learning faculties in these settings and can come away with something regardless of their learning strengths. This is why we try to teach in a hands-on way whenever possible, whether it is through baking, talking about money management, good business practices, etc. There is usually a bigger picture- and end goal- and the smaller subjects are treated as a means-to-an-end, rather than an end in themselves. Understanding the context where something would be used can help greatly with retention.

This applies to children who are so-called dyslexic, or ADHD, as well. They may not do well with education in the conventional sense, but they have their own strengths that are amazing to witness when those strengths are recognized and utilized to their fullest potential. This not only reduces frustration, but also increases confidence for the student, and is especially important if the student has historically struggled to do things “they way everyone else does.”

Is my child afraid to fail? This can be a very difficult trait to identify because it can manifest in different ways- it can look like lack of interest, protesting when asked to perform, refusing to try, etc. Ultimately, it is a form of anxiety for the perfectionist child- the one who wants to be good at things but is reluctant to try for fear they may not be good enough. For our student who struggles with this, Arsenicum Album has proven to be very helpful to help overcome that anxiety so she’s more willing to try. We also make it a practice to remind our kids that we all learn through trying, and practice makes us better. No one is a master of anything the first time, and we also want our kids to see us trying things we aren’t good at so they feel like they can be bad at things, too. Our children watch us very closely, and our actions speak volumes, so it is essential that our actions match the words we are saying to our kids, even if it is a blow to our pride at times. I DON’T want my kids to think I know how to do everything; I want them to see me trying to learn new things and get better at the times I’m not very good at. Because, I want them to be brave enough to do those things, too.

         

You can find more information about these subjects and more in my book: The Science of Homeschooling

 

 

*Note: None of the information here should be taken as medical advice, it is intended as ideas for parents to research on their own in managing their children’s unique situations

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Gardening and Landscaping Tips for Seniors That Won’t Break the Bank

Gardening and Landscaping Tips for Seniors That Won’t Break the Bank

 

Guest post by: Douglas Summers

Growing a veggie patch or seeing a garden come to life is a rewarding experience. But it can also be quite a bit of work, requiring an educational background to get everything right, so your garden can flourish (without having to spend an arm and a leg, of course). Kristy Crandall invites you to read on for some interesting gardening tips and facts regarding the wonders of nature and its effect on the environment and our greenery.

 

Choose crops that don't require much maintenance
Design a garden that is easy to work with
Making your garden more efficient

 

If you want to avoid overspending on gardening and gardening staples, you should invest in crops that don't require much maintenance.

 

●      Choose produce that isn't going to require you to have expert green fingers to plant them successfully. Potatoes, strawberries, bell peppers, cabbage, cucumbers, garlic, zucchini, and chilies are some examples of low-maintenance fruits and vegetables.

●      If you want a beautiful flourishing flower garden, perennials that are simple to grow and maintain that look exquisite, too, include the Cosmos, Marigolds, and Chrysanthemums.

●      If you are in an area that doesn't get a lot of rain regularly, then choosing a drought-resistant crop is a good option, as these don't require much water to grow. Drought-resistant crops include sorghum, sweet potato (yams), cassava, beans, broccoli, eggplant, chard, etc.

 

Gardening can be strenuous work at times. Hence, the importance of being able to work in your garden without straining your body unnecessarily.

 

●      Raising your garden bed can prevent you from bending low continuously, reducing the risk of falling.

●      Vertical gardens are another option if you have limited garden space, in addition to it being easier to maintain.

●      Design a shade garden to reduce the risks of working under the sun's piercing rays.

 

 There is much to benefit from your garden or piece of land apart from the aesthetics side of things.

 

●      You can create a side hustle if you have a surplus of fruit and vegetables to spare that you could sell for a profit.

●      Before turning your hobby farm into a business, you need to consider whether there is a demand for your product.

●      Go to The Farm Bill for legislation that dictates how a piece of land can be farmed and used for business purposes.

 

It is never too late to start if you are interested in farming or growing crops. All it takes is a bit of extra knowledge regarding what works and what doesn't to help guide you in the right (and hopefully most affordable) direction.

Discover DIY Projects for Creative Learning and Family Bonding

 

Discover DIY Home Improvement Projects for Creative Learning and Family Bonding

Guest Post by: Douglas Summers

In the hustle of daily life, carving out family time becomes a precious goal. Home improvement projects present a unique opportunity for families, especially those who homeschool, to come together in a meaningful way. These activities shared by Kristy Crandall not only beautify your living space but also foster stronger family connections through shared experiences and creativity. Dive into these engaging DIY projects that promise fun, learning, and memorable family bonding.

Creating a Chalkboard Corner

Imagine turning a dull wall or door into an interactive chalkboard! By using chalkboard paint, you create a space where everyone can showcase their artistic flair. This is more than just an art project; it becomes a dynamic family message board for reminders, inspirational quotes, or daily drawings. The versatility of a chalkboard wall offers endless possibilities for expression and communication within your family.

Memory Lane Gallery

Envision a wall in your home dedicated to your family’s journey. By creating a memory lane mural, you bring to life a tapestry of photographs and cherished memories. This project is not just about decorating; it’s a heartfelt reflection of your shared moments. It’s a living, evolving display that celebrates your family's unique story and serves as a daily reminder of the love and experiences that bind you together.

Collaborative Bookshelf Construction

Building a bookshelf as a family is more than a carpentry task; it's a journey in teamwork and creativity. You collaborate on the design, choose the materials, and construct a piece that reflects your family’s style and needs. This project teaches practical skills and offers a sense of accomplishment. The bookshelf becomes a testament to your combined effort, housing not just books, but shared memories of its creation.

Organized Digital Receipts

In the midst of these creative endeavors, organization is key. Rather than hold onto every receipt, use a mobile scanning app to quickly and easily capture any document or image from your device's camera and convert it into a PDF. This method not only declutters your space but also teaches your family about digital organization. Use this to scan a document and keep your project records tidy and accessible.

Cultivating an Indoor Herbal Oasis

Setting up an indoor herb garden introduces a blend of gardening and culinary arts to your family's routine. Choose a sunny spot in your kitchen or another area, and together, plant and nurture a variety of herbs. This activity is not just about growing plants; it’s about responsibility, learning about nature, and enjoying the fresh flavors in your cooking. It's a delightful way to bring the outdoors inside and add a green touch to your home.

Homemade Candle Creation

Crafting candles at home is an enchanting experience. As a family, delve into the art of candle making, experimenting with different scents and colors. This activity is not just about producing candles; it's a sensory journey. It teaches patience, precision, and the joy of seeing your creations come to life. These handmade candles become symbols of your family's creativity and togetherness.

Upcycling Furniture

Choose a piece of furniture and transform it together. This upcycling project is not only environmentally friendly but also a great way to spark creativity and problem-solving. It teaches valuable skills like painting, sanding, and designing. This rejuvenated piece of furniture will not just be a functional item in your home but a representation of your family’s collective creativity and effort.

 

These home improvement projects offer a unique blend of fun, learning, and family bonding. They’re not just about enhancing your home; they’re about creating shared experiences and lasting memories. Whether it's crafting a chalkboard wall, building a bookshelf, or growing an herb garden, each project brings your family together in meaningful and enjoyable ways. So, gather your tools, your creativity, and your family, and embark on these delightful DIY adventures for a home filled with love and learning.

Visit Kristy Crandall to explore insightful resources that will empower you to confidently teach your children at home.