Number Balance, hands on learners

 This is a fun tool for a student that needs to touch things to learn.  I use it for addition and substraction.
It is a popular toy or tool.  Here is 8 plus 2 equals 10 or put the 10 on first and then the 2 and ask what number is left when you start with 10 and take away 2.  Again it is back to balance. When the problem is correct the tool or toy balances.

Number Ball Toss, Balametrics, Balance Board and Number Board, Test taking

This is an example of how I use the Number Ball Toss.  It uses the balance board and the number board.  The ball is tossed or aimed at each number on the board. The numbers are not in 1,2 3 order. Often the learner moves his foot to retain balance and that again is good compensation. Then the feet are moved back to a balanced position. This is important as the eyes and body have to use patterns to read and to learn math.
At first the ball often will not go where it is aimed. As the student becomes better at this the ball will hit the number intended. This is another item from Balametrics. The ball is tossed with one hand to the numbers 1 to 9 and then 9 to 1. Then the other hand is used to toss 1 to 9 and 9 to 1.  Usually one hand or the other hand is better but as the student progresses this even out.  I encourage students to continueto the next number instead of thinking they have to hit each number perfectly.  This also helps with test taking as students need to finish the test not freeze when they come to a problem they do not know.
Yes someone has to chase balls sometimes.

game night, how can I help my child discussion, working together to help others learn

I went to a game night of some friends and family.  After the game, the women were visiting.  The conservation turned to how to help some of their children learn.  I did not start this conservation.  How long are we going to play the blame the child, parent or teacher game?  I think many more children, parent and teachers want the children to learn than are given credit.  Instead of blaming we need to learn to work together.

explaining fraction dominos game, is the tutor or teacher smart enough to teach me

This week I was tutoring a 6th grader for the next school year.  I have worked with her for some time now.  Her improvement is exciting.  We are working on her fractions. We are using the fraction dominos and
today I supplemented the game with circle fraction tiles.  She was have difficulty with the question why 3/6 is the same as 4/8.  When I showed her with the fraction tiles that the half tile is the same as the 3/6 and the 4/8, she understood how to play the game match.  I used two half pieces and put the smaller pieces on top of the half pieces. This is a child who needs to see what is being explained and then she flies again until there is something else she needs to see to understand.  Sometimes, I need to try a few times to figure out how to show her what I am trying to teach.  This does not mean just repeating the same information I just gave her in the same way.  It means figuring out a different way to show the same information.  This is an example of am I smart enough to teach this child this concept.

Test Taking Skills, Discovery Toys

I use these Discovery tiles and books to help with test taking skills.  It is a fun way to teach reading and following directions for homework pages and test taking.

Mom turns 85, Family discussion about learning

This weekend my husband and I were able to go to the 85th birthday party of my mom.  It was an exciting time.  Thank you to those who worked so hard to put things together, especially my niece Tammy. There are 5 siblings in my family and we were all able to be there.  This does not happen often.  I saw nieces and nephews and their children that I do not get to see often.
The discussion after the cake was about helping children learn.  There was discussion about our own children as well as those we know and love that are not our own children.  I think there is more concern about the children in this country from families that care than the news shows.  So often we only see the negative about families on the movies and television.  There was a good exchange of ideas from many moms and grandmothers.
I would share some pictures except we were so excited to visit and see one another no one thought about taking pictures.

The Balance Board from Balametrics

A child has 100 percent to learn with.  When a child or adult has to use part of their time or ability to remember to balance or sit still, then the 100 percent that is needed to learn is not available.  Many people especially young children need to move to learn.
I have students stand on the balance board with their feet balanced on the board.  The boards are numbered so the student can see that their feet are in the same place on each side of the board.  As the student improves their balance the board difficulty can be changed.  If a child or adult moves their feet to keep from falling that is good compensation.  The goal is to keep from falling.  Then the feet are moved back to a place of balance.  These boards can be found and bought under Balametrics. There is an entire course for home use sold as a set with a Dvd on how to use the boards and other equipment.
These boards helped me with some balance issues following a serious car wreck as an adult. I moved a small couch behind me so I would not fall to the floor as I worked on my balance.
I have students balance as they toss balls back and forth to me as they are learning.  An example is saying their math facts or counting by 3's, 4's and so on.