Archive by Author | Lisa McAfee

Legos: A Fun Tool for Math

Jun16

UPDATED WITH NEW INFORMATION 6/12

Do you have a child who is interested in building with Legos? Did you ever consider using them for various subjects such as math, science, language arts, social studies, and art? Here are a few benefits of playing with Legos.

MATH

  • Developing spatial intelligence
  • Visualizing mathematical concepts
  • Teaching /reinforcing mathematical operations such as counting, sorting, adding, multiplying, subtracting, and dividing.
  • Constructing geometric shapes. (square, rectangle, triangle)
  • Estimating
  • Following directions
  • Reading a diagram
  • Teaching area
  • Designing
  • Graphing- Graph the results of the science or the sorting activities

Now that I got you thinking about Legos, why not incorporate them into your school day or use as an after school activity? 🙂 Here are ideas to help you.

SCIENCE

  • Buoyancy- How long can your model float? Hold a regatta, invite other home school friends to join you, and give a little Lego set as a prize.
  • Velocity- How fast does your model travel? (airplane, space craft, race car)
  • Simple machines- inclined plane, wedge, screw. Inclined planes- How long does the plane need to be in order to construct your creation? Try different lengths and angles. Check out this website. It has a variety of models of simple machines.
  • Ecosystems- Build a habitat for your models to live in such as a jungle, a garden,
  • Volume- How much liquid can your model hold?
LANGUAGE ARTS
  • Writing/giving a description of the creation
  • Writing/narrating a story including the model
  • Writing/ telling step-by-step directions on how to construct the model
  • Write to Legoland and ask for a map of the park and any other materials. (One of my students was going there and had a map of the park before he went since he had written and requested one. How fun was that for him?)
SOCIAL STUDIES
  • Build a model of a settlement or town of the time period you are studying.
  • Construct a catapult while you are investigating the Middle Ages
ART
  • Draw a picture of the model
  • Color the picture of the model
  • Draw designs of future projects
  • Design new Lego characters
  • Create jewelry using Lego blocks

I am tutoring a 6th grade student who loves Legos. I find it interesting that he can easily make these complex models. He is amazing at not only building the models that were purchased, but being able to create his own. His mother has told him that he has to wait until I come to the house before he can program his robotic Lego since this is part of his school time with me. I love it because he always looks forward to me coming. The funny thing is that I was under the impression that he and I  were going to build this complex model together. We sat on the carpeted floor and he began to open up all these packages of small pieces of Legos. All I could think of was that we were going to lose the pieces. All he could think of was the robot.

At first I sat there worrying about how he and I were going to find the correct piece, read the directions, and try to assemble this pile of several hundred pieces (more likely thousands of pieces) into something like the picture that was featured on the kit. My worry changed to astonishment and then admiration as I watched him construct this robot from the directions that were provided. He didn’t need my help at all, and in fact, I was pretty much in the way. He showed me which piece was needed and how the pieces fit together. I wasn’t the tutor that day, but rather the student. This was a wonderful way for him to not only build, but also explain and demonstrate what was occurring. Don’t you love how this activity is not only for math, but language arts as well? My student was kind to me though, and let me feel useful by giving me the task of assembling some wheels and holding some of the tiny parts that I was concerned about losing.

NEW INFORMATION

Bricks4Kidz is a homeschool owned and operated company providing learning programs that teach elementary school aged kids principles of science, technology, engineering, math and more using LEGO® components.  Their programs provide an extraordinary atmosphere for students to build unique creations, play games, and have loads of fun using LEGO® bricks. Check it out!

Websites

Do you have a student who has been playing with Legos and is wanting a challenge? Why not have them enter a Lego contest? The whole family can be involved in this project since it involves creating a 2.5 minute video.  Have fun and post a picture of your creations that you enter for the contest.

Here is a website that has activities for younger students to work with Legos, but you can adapt these to students of various ages. littlebrickschoolhouse

Have you seen legoquest yet? This is a blog that is sure to inspire your creative builders. A challenge is given, models are built, and pictures can be sent to the blog for all to see. There are tabs on the side for further exploration as well.

Check out First Lego League The intent of creating Lego teams is to foster an excitement for science and technology. There are teams that compete from all over the world. You can go to this website to lean more about it.

Have you thought Legos are just for young students? Look at this website. Your senior high student will benefit from this if (s)he is interested in engineering and/or math.

Has anyone used Legos for school and would like to post an idea? I’d love to hear about it. Does your Lego engineer  or artist need an audience to view their masterpiece? Post a picture and I’ll be sure to comment. Now, what to do with all those pieces that are on the floor…

Father’s Day Ideas and Activities

Jun11

I am so glad that I have wonderful men in my family and I want to make sure they feel loved and respected this year. Let’s honor those special men in our lives, shall we? I have a few ideas and activities that your child(ren) can do to honor Dad.

A coupon book of chores and activities is fun to make. It requires that some thought be put into this present, but it doesn’t have to cost extra money to fulfill the coupon ideas.  My boys made these coupons annually for Dad when they were young and they loved giving them to him. Remember to follow up on the coupon ideas and have Dad cash them in since the giver wants to see their coupons being redeemed. Here are some activities to consider: a car wash, free car vacuuming, movie night at home – your choice of movie, foot message, sports night, back rub, favorite home cooked meal, dessert of your choice, Sunday afternoon nap- uninterrupted!

Grillin’ Out My men love the taste of grilled food. What about making some dinner packets? They are easy to make and the children can help you! You can throw them on the grill and since they are in their own container, clean up is easy.

Dinner Packets

  • Hamburger 1-2 pounds (depending upon the size of burgers and number of people)
  • Baby carrots (choose thinner ones rather than the fatter ones)
  • Potatoes
  • Medium onion (optional)
  • Salt, pepper
  • Cooking spray
  • Aluminum foil
Directions: Shape hamburger into 4- 6 ounce patties. Wash and cut potatoes into 2 inch cubes. Wash baby carrots. Cut onion into 1 inch slices. For each dinner packet, cut aluminum foil into a large enough piece that you can double wrap your dinner. Apply a liberal amount of cooking  spray to avoid food sticking to the foil.  Place burger, carrots, potatoes, and onion in each dinner packet. Place on medium heat grill and turn every 10 minutes. Dinner packets will be ready in approximately 40 minutes or when potatoes and carrots are tender. (Open one packet to see if they are ready.)

How about giving Dad a certificate? Here is an example of one of the certificates that I found on about.com There are five different awards to choose from, so I think you will find something there you will like.

I also created a printable page that you can print for your child(ren) to write why they love Dad. Best Dad

Here is a graphic that can be downloaded for a Father’s Day card or a gift tag. click here to download

Making ice cream. This is a fun activity to do with Dad (and the family)  enjoy a sweet treat when it is all done. Here are a few recipes courtesy of www.dtkl-kids.com Before you start be sure to: read the directions carefully and collect all the supplies. Another tip: place bowls in freezer so the ice cream doesn’t melt as quickly.

Yummy Ice Cream

In a 1-gallon freezer bag, mix

  • 5 cups cubed ice
  • 3/4 cup rock salt
  • 1/4 cup water

Directions: Place 1 quart sherbet bag inside 1 gallon bag. Duct tape the plastic bags shut to prevent leaking.  Wrap in terry towel to protect hands from cold. (I also suggest those who are going to be doing this activity to wear  gloves to protect little fingers as the bags get extremely cold.)

Agitate for approximately 8 – 10 minutes. When firm, remove sherbet bag from rock salt mixture.  Dry bag on towel.

Use scissors to cut hole open the bags. Scoop out ice cream and put in serving bowls or cups.

Makes 7-1/2 cup servings.

OR

In a 1 Quart freezer bag, mix

  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 2 cups skim milk
  • 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 2/3 cups sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Orange Rind (optional)
  • Optional drops of food color : 2 red and 4 yellow
  • Follow directions above to make your delicious treat.

OR

Orange Shakin’ Sherbet 

For a 2-person treat combine in a 1-pint freezer bag:

  • 1/2 cup Orange Juice
  • 1 cup skim milk
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon orange rind (optional)
  • Optional drops of food coloring: 1 red and 2 yellow
  • Follow directions above to make your delicious treat.

Free Devotional Magazine

Jun5

Looking for something to help you teach and reinforce the  bible? Keys for Kids is a devotional magazine has been around for a long time and I have used them in the past with my sons. I am pleased to announce that they are offering a free 1 year subscription. You may also send them a donation (suggested $18.00). 🙂 You can download a sample copy to see if you would like to have this resource sent to your home. To find out more about the magazine click here.

Cincinnati Staycation

May31

Summer is nearly here! Are you looking for fun things to do here in Cincinnati? I found a website that has an up-to-date list. The heading is called Staycation Fun in Cincinnati. If you don’t live here, but live within driving distance, please come. You’ll enjoy the places and activities the city has to offer.

I also have a previous post that lists programs to attend and places in Greater Cincinnati to go for the summer that I compiled. Check it out!

Cincinnati Museum Center

Fountain Square

Spelling

May30

One concern that I hear voiced by home school moms is the issue of spelling. How do you help a poor speller become a better speller? I have read many articles about this and the general consensus is that you are either a natural speller or you aren’t. It’s similar to a person who has a natural tendency toward math or science. This doesn’t mean that you give up and don’t do anything about it. There are methods that will help them improve.

First, be certain they know the sounds each letter makes. Does your student “hear” the difference between the vowels? The short /e/ and /i/ sound similar so be sure and provide a great deal of practice before moving forward. Also teach a simple rule that each syllable must have a vowel.

Secondly, teach the phonics rules and patterns that make the sounds. Write lots of words that are examples of that rule and have your child copy the words while saying each letter out loud when writing it. For example: /a/  as in cat, bat, rat, tack, flat, etc. Review and quiz before moving on to the next spelling rule.

Third, some words do not follow a set of rules and are easier if memorized. There are 220 words and 95 nouns used in 50-70 percent of our everyday reading and are known as Dolch sight words. Have your speller practice these each day- beginning with 5 words and then adding 5 more the next day if s/he is ready. Have your student do 10-20 words a week, depending upon their ability. Don’t rush the process as it is like anything else that is being learned; it takes time. Here is a link for the Dolch words with flashcards that you can print. click here. Once your student has finished one list, move on to the next until they have mastered reading and spelling them.

Lastly, practice, practice, practice! We retain 90% or higher when we say aloud what we are learning. So, spelling words out loud while writing each of them, having spelling bees (competitions), or jumping rope while spelling are all great ways to reinforce what is being learned. Here are some games to make and play as well.

Bingo Games

Wordsearches

Summer Spelling Pages

Looking for a curriculum or want some help in choosing one? Happy with your spelling program, but are looking for a supplement? Here is a list and a review of products from The Old Schoolhouse magazine. I have also added some choices to the list. This is by no means an exhaustive list so if you have a curriculum you like and find beneficial to your family please post a comment about it for others to read. Thanks!