Get Buggy with Math!
Don't bug out! The ideas for teaching your homeschooler Math with a bug theme are easy!
1. Have an estimation bucket of worms- Fill a bucket, such as a plastic pail with gummy worms. Have your homeschooler estimate how many worms there are in the bucket. Next, have your child count how many there actually are in the bucket. Subtract the difference between the estimate and actual amount and record the answer. Then, pass out a worm to your child. Have them estimate how long the worm is. Next have them measure the worm. Compare the estimate and actual number here, too. Encourage your child to find other things in the room that are close to the same length as the worm and measure them in comparison, too. Be sure to have your homeschooler write down all of his or her findings.
Of course, a tasty squiggly snack makes this math activity more fun. Yum!
2. A box of bugs- Using the first grade book How Many Bugs in a Box? by David A. Carter, teach your homeschooler about counting and numbers. First, read the story How Many Bugs in a Box? to your child/children. Next, read the story a second time encouraging your child to read along. Review the number words: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten. Utilize a word wall or word chart to represent both the numbers in written and numerical form.
3. Construct a butterfly with symmetry- Use a pattern to create and cut our symmetrical butterfly wings of various colors. Use construction paper for this. Then, discuss with your child how butterflies have symmetrical wings and let them create a butterfly picture, using the wings. Your homeschooler can also decorate the wings using an equal pattern, like dots in the same spot on each side. Have your child add the body of the butterfly, and a scene for the picture, too.
4. Make a caterpillar pattern picture- Incorporate art and math and challenge your child to make a caterpillar picture showing a pattern. Discuss patterns, and how they always repeat. Your child can color the picture in a pattern or cut shapes from colored construction paper and glue them on a template in a pattern.
1. Have an estimation bucket of worms- Fill a bucket, such as a plastic pail with gummy worms. Have your homeschooler estimate how many worms there are in the bucket. Next, have your child count how many there actually are in the bucket. Subtract the difference between the estimate and actual amount and record the answer. Then, pass out a worm to your child. Have them estimate how long the worm is. Next have them measure the worm. Compare the estimate and actual number here, too. Encourage your child to find other things in the room that are close to the same length as the worm and measure them in comparison, too. Be sure to have your homeschooler write down all of his or her findings.
Of course, a tasty squiggly snack makes this math activity more fun. Yum!
2. A box of bugs- Using the first grade book How Many Bugs in a Box? by David A. Carter, teach your homeschooler about counting and numbers. First, read the story How Many Bugs in a Box? to your child/children. Next, read the story a second time encouraging your child to read along. Review the number words: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten. Utilize a word wall or word chart to represent both the numbers in written and numerical form.
3. Construct a butterfly with symmetry- Use a pattern to create and cut our symmetrical butterfly wings of various colors. Use construction paper for this. Then, discuss with your child how butterflies have symmetrical wings and let them create a butterfly picture, using the wings. Your homeschooler can also decorate the wings using an equal pattern, like dots in the same spot on each side. Have your child add the body of the butterfly, and a scene for the picture, too.
4. Make a caterpillar pattern picture- Incorporate art and math and challenge your child to make a caterpillar picture showing a pattern. Discuss patterns, and how they always repeat. Your child can color the picture in a pattern or cut shapes from colored construction paper and glue them on a template in a pattern.
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