How to Teach Subitizing for Numbers 1-4

How to Teach Subitizing: 1 – 4

The comparison of numeracy to literacy is curious.

Learning math is the opposite of learning to read. When you read, usually simultaneous to learning a language, you sound out words and then put meaning to them. When you learn to count and do math, you know the meaning inherently and then put a language to it.

At some point we learn to recognize words without sounding them out. And at some point we learn to recognize quantities without counting them out. This is called subitizing.

The Your Baby Can Read program uses the concept of subitizing to teach reading – you show your baby the word alongside the object. So the shape of the word car is as recognizable as a car itself.

The children using Your Baby Can Read don’t learn to sound out words. They don’t understand the concept of letters any more than babies not using the program. But they instantly recognize the shapes of the words – giving them an (assumed) advantage.

Aside: We didn’t use the “Your Baby Can Read” program, not because it was gimmicky (I love anything that looks gimmicky), but because there is a huge DVD element to it. We decided not to put Daughter in front of the TV for her first 2 years. A decision we stuck with, but sometimes was a struggle! This article contains a “your baby can count” type program. (And it’s a free download!)

How did we learn subitizing?

I don’t recall having been taught it directly. Although I could be wrong. The research on it has been happening since the early 1900s, so it might have been taught without being labeled “subitzing.”In a previous article about why learning to subitize is important, Christine Guest commented that she learned it out of frustration for counting with chanting.I wonder how many of us do that. Are grownups so adept at subitizing that they forget that’s how we assess quantity? Maybe we’re taught to chant-count because that’s the way we think counting is.

How do you teach subitizing?

Images are accompanied by the written numeral as well as the number spoken aloud. The images would be printed on cards, done via video or “live” with 3D objects. I’m still working on the numbers 5-10 and up, but for the numbers 1-4, the following 8 styles of image sets would be done twice. Once using the same objects for each image set, and once using different objects for each image set.

1. Organized in a row vertically.
2. Organized in a row horizontally.
3. Organized in a row diagonally.
4. Organized in a row other way diagonally.
5. Organized in a regular shape (triangle, square).
6. Organized in a differently oriented regular shape.
7. Organized in an irregular shape.
8. Organized in a different irregular shape. (There will be more of these for 4 than 3, etc.)

The objects could be blocks, cars, little dolls, just about anything. I created the set below from blocks I found left in Daughter’s block set. Each zip file contains a few .jpg files with 4″ x 6″ pictures. You can print them at home or ship them to Walmart,Target, CVS, etc. for printing. I left off the MathFour.com logo so the kiddos wouldn’t get distracted. Please share them along with links back here.

• Subitizing with One
• Subitizing with Two
• Subitizing with Three
• Subitizing with Four

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Subitizing Digital Flash Cards

Click the image above to view the subitizing flash cards.  Use these with kindergarten and first grade students to help them with number sense.

Subitizing Plates

I know you may be thinking, "Well, duh, easy enough to make and no explanation needed." Well, that is true, BUT I made a little presentation on the plates that I hope you watch and enjoy! 

There you have it!! And this is not just a Kinder or 1st grade thing--it's never a bad thing to work on strengthening number sense! Go make some dot plates!! To help you out a little, I am including a page of suggested dot arrangements. Click the pic below to download your freebie!

 

Triangle-Circle Clown

By Keren Perles

If your child is just learning the difference between different types of shapes, you can review them by making a triangle-circle clown. Your child will enjoy creating an entire picture out of nothing but circles and triangles of different sizes. This clown craft also makes a good activity for birthday parties or other gatherings with several young children.

What You Need:

• Construction paper
• Craft foam, fabric scraps and other materials
• Scissors
• Poster board (optional)

What You Do:

1. Before the activity, cut out circles and triangles of various sizes. A few of them should be about the size of an adult hand, some of them should be the size of an adult fist, some of them should be the size of a child’s fist, and some of them should be even smaller than that. Cut the shapes out of various materials – whatever you have handy.
2. Tell your child that you'll be making a picture of a clown using only triangles and circles. Ask your child which shape would work best for the clown’s head. Then ask which one would work best for the clown’s hat. Have her try out the combination by putting two of the largest shapes together and see if it looks like a clown’s head with a clown’s hat. Adjust as needed.
3. Help your child glue these two pieces onto a piece of construction paper or a large piece of poster board to make the clown’s head and hat.
4. Now ask your child which shapes would work best as the clown’s body. His feet? His hands? There is no right answer to these questions, but help your child arrange the pieces until she's satisfied with how her choices look, and then glue them down. Keep in mind that strings of circles may work for arms or legs.
5. Follow this same process to add two eyes, a nose, and a mouth to the clown. Then help your child decorate the rest of the clown’s body with smaller circles and triangles. Voila! A circus clown made from shapes!

If your child has also learned about squares or other shapes, you can include those on the picture as well.

Order of Operatiosn (PEMDAS)

By Brigid Del Carmen

In middle school math, students are required to memorize many formulas and processes, and using acronyms can be very helpful with these tasks. One such acronym, PEMDAS, can be used to remember the steps for Order of Operations. PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction, which is the order students must follow when finding the value of expressions. Here's how to practice PEMDAS, and help your middle schooler complete her homework in half the time!

What You Need:

• multi-colored markers
• paper/pencil

What You Do:

1. At the top of the paper, ask your child to write the acronym PEMDAS, using a different color marker for each letter. Next to the word, write the symbol for the operation. Parentheses ( ) Exponents n² Multiplication • Division ÷ Addition + Subtraction -
2. Write a simple expression: 20 - 2² + (4 • 2)
3. Help your child find the value of the expression one step at a time.
   • Start with P.
   • Say: “Are there parentheses?” (yes) Solve what is in parentheses first, rewrite expression: 20 - 2² + 8
   • Put a check next to P.
   • Say: “Are there exponents?” (yes) Compute the exponent, rewrite expression: 20 – 4 + 8
   • Put a check next to E.
   • Say: “Is there multiplication or division?" (no)
   • Put a check next to M and D. (Note that if both of these operations did occur in the expression, they would be computed in order, from left to right. Multiplication and division stand on equal footing, as do addition and subtraction, and are always computed in order of appearance.)
   • Say: “Is there addition or subtraction?” (yes)
   • Solve, computing from left to right. In this case, subtraction (20 - 4) would come first, followed by 16 + 8.
   • The answer is 24.
4. Continue writing simple expressions, encouraging your middle-schooler to use PEMDAS as a checklist.

Tips:

1. Once your child has mastered simple expressions using PEMDAS, ask her to find the value of one expression two different ways. Compare the answers and note how important it is to follow PEMDAS.
2. Post PEMDAS on the fridge or bulletin board to be sure your middle-schooler doesn’t forget this very important acronym.
3. Come up with a phrase, such as "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" to help with remembering this important acronym!

Set Up Shop with Algebra!

By Brigid Del Carmen

One way to make variables and expressions more concrete for middle school students is to use real-world examples. Using items around your house, create a “store” and set up expressions to represent the cost of the items. It takes just a few minutes to set up, but this activity will have lasting effects. Those once abstract and confusing variables and expressions will now represent real-world thinking – and real-world shopping!

What You Need:

• Sticky notes
• Black marker
• Household items, such as books, playing cards, paper clips, cucumbers, apples
• Paper and pencil
• Clipboards (optional)

What You Do:

(b) book = $10.00

(n) napkin = $.25

(y) playing cards = $1.00

(a) apple = $.90

(p) paper clips = $.10

(s) spoon = $2.50

(f) forks = $3.50

(w) water = $1.75

(d) soda can = $1.50

(c) cucumber = $3.50

2(10.00) + 3(3.50)

20.00 + 11.50

31.50

1. Set out several household items (1 of each) and label each with a variable and a price (on sticky notes). For example:
2. Begin the activity by explaining to your child that every time you are shopping, especially at the grocery store, you write expressions “in your head”. It’s really simple if you think of writing expressions as just writing out what you are thinking as you shop.
3. Explain how you would set up a simple expression to represent the cost of one item.
4. Say: “I want to buy 3 apples.
5. First, I set up an expression to represent the cost of the apples: 3a
6. Next, I calculate the cost of the apples by filling in the price of each apple: 3(.90) = $2.70
7. Now, demonstrate how you would set up an expression with 2 terms.
8. Say: “I want to buy 2 books and 3 forks.
9. First, I set up an expression to represent the cost of both items:
10. 2b + 3f
11. Next, I calculate the total cost of the items by filling in the price of each item:
12. Continue providing examples, each time adding another item. Once you feel your child has an understanding of the process, it’s time to send him shopping! Give your middle-schooler lists of items and the quantity for each. Ask him to set up expressions and calculate a total for each shopping list. Extend the activity by asking him to predict which list will be the most/least expensive before solving.

Tips:

Review by asking your child what each expression means. For example, 2f + 8s + 3p means: the cost of 2 forks, 8 spoons, and 3 paper clips.

Take your child to the grocery store. Give him a notepad and, as you shop, have him write expressions to represent the cost of what is in the cart. For example, if you are buying 4 cans of tomatoes, the expression is 4t. If each can costs $.80, he should evaluate the expression: 4(.80) = $3.20. Ask him to estimate the total cost of the items in your grocery cart before you check out. Challenge him to come as close to the actual total as possible.

Simplify Fractions GAME

Race to simplify fractions in this fast-paced game! Simplifying fractions is an essential skill for every math student from fifth grade onward. Students need continual practice with simplification in order to successfully be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions. Play this game again and again and work towards mastering this important concept!

What You Need:

• Deck of playing cards (with face cards removed)
• Even number of players
• Paper
• Pencils

What You Do:

1. Create a fraction bar sheet by drawing a line across a piece of paper. 
2. Set up the game so that the players face one another. For each pair of two players, you'll need to create a separate fraction game board.
3. Shuffle the deck of cards.
4. Distribute the deck evenly between the two players.
5. Have the players place their decks face down in front of them.
6. Players should begin by simultaneously turning over a card from their decks and place it on the fraction bar sheet. Each player should place one card above the fraction bar. The cards above the fraction bar represent the numerator.
7. Then, players should place one card below the fraction bar. The card below the bar represents the denominator.
8. There should be a card above the bar and a card below the bar, giving you four cards total.
9. The first player to correctly simplify the fraction shown by the cards wins all four cards. If a tie results, split the cards evenly.
10. If the fraction can't be simplified, each player should collect the card that the other player put down and position it at the bottom of his deck.
11. Play continues until one player has accumulated all of the cards.
12. Alternatively, you could set a time limit on the game. When time is up, the player with the most cards wins!

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Personal Pie Chart

By Chris McAllister

For many kids, the best way to learn about fractions is to represent them visually. Visual learners in particular can get bogged down by multi-step word problems. This activity will help your child tackle those tricky fraction word problems by way of a hands-on method.

What You Need:

• Construction paper
• Piece of cardboard
• Scissors
• Compass or large tin can for tracing
• Index cards
• Pencil or pen

What You Do:

1. Prep for this game by making the playing cards. On each index card, write out a fraction word problem. These are pretty easy to write once you get the hang of it. Here are four to start with. Refer to your child's math textbook for more ideas. Note: Start playing this game with eight as the constant denominator. You can change this up as your child gets the hang of it.
   • Theresa baked an apple pie and cut it into eight pieces. She ate one, and gave one to John. What is the fraction of the remaining pie?
   • Peter has eight pieces of candy. He gave Julie three, Tracy three and Dan one. What is the fraction of the candy that he gave away?
   • Natasha bought eight cookies. She gave two to her brother, two to her dad, and two to her mom. What is the fraction for the number of cookies she has left?
   • Rose has eight baseball cards. She gave two to Tom and two to Michael. How many cards did she give away?
2. Now, help your child to make her own Personal Pie Chart. Use a compass or trace a large coffee can on a piece of colored construction paper. Cut it out. This will be your base. Repeat this step with a piece of white paper. Evenly divide the circle into eight pieces, or wedges. Now, have your child color each of the eight pieces a different color and cut them out. It's fun to play this game with your child, so feel free to make your own Personal Pie Chart!
3. Review fractions with your child using the Personal Pie Chart. Discuss numerators and denominators. Give her a couple of practice runs: ask her to use the chart to show 1/2, 2/6, 3/8, 7/8.
4. Tell your child that you are now going to play a game with her Personal Pie Chart! Drawing from the pile of playing cards, challenge your child to solve the word problem and show you the answer on her Personal Pie Chart. You may need to do the first few together. Take turns drawing cards, and, as your child gets more comfortable, set up a point system for every correct answer.

After your child has mastered denominators of eight, create new wedges for your Personal Pie Chart and playing cards for other denominators. The possibilities are endless!

Collage of Fractions

By Erica Loop

Break out the ruler and brush up on a little elementary math. Don't despair if numerators and denominators seem like a bore to your child. This colorful collage is sure to show him the brighter side of fractions. This is a great activity for kids having a hard time grasping the concept; being able to see and touch fractions helps kids understand fractions more clearly.

What You Need:

• Construction paper in a variety of colors
• Thick black marker
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Glue stick

What You Do:

1. Choose a fraction to start with. It's better to start simple even if your child is confident in his fraction skills.
2. Have him write the chosen fraction on a sheet of construction paper with the black marker. Ask him to point out the numerator (top number) and the denominator (bottom number).
3. Select a shape to represent the fraction, such as a rectangle or triangle. Help him draw the shape on another sheet of construction paper (preferably in a different color) using the pencil and ruler. Make sure the dimensions of the shape are in whole inches, ideally in a multiple of the denominator so the shape will be easy to cut up. For example, if your fraction is 3/4, you could make a rectangle that is 8 inches long, since 8 is a multiple of 4.
4. Still using the ruler, divide the shape up into a number of segments equal to the denominator of your fraction. Using the example from step 3, you would divide the rectangle into 4, 2-inch segments.
5. Have him cut out the whole shape from the construction paper.
6. Flip over the sheet of construction paper that you wrote the fraction on and glue the shape onto the other side.
7. Now have him choose another sheet of construction paper in a different color than the shape. Using the same measurements you used in step 4, draw a number of segments equal to the numerator of the fraction. Using the same example again, you would cut three 2-inch wide segments.
8. Cut out the segments and glue them on top of the shape within the lines.
9. You're done! Go back to step 1 and repeat with a different fraction.

Try attaching all your fraction collages to a large piece of poster board, overlapping them and arranging them in different directions for artistic effect.

Pizza Fractions

By Sue BradfordEdwards

Fractions are tricky to grasp. How is it that 1/2 is bigger than 1/3 when a 3 is bigger than a 2? Once you understand fractions, it makes sense. Until then? It is a big mystery. Help your child see fractions at work as she pretends to gobble up slices of pizza. Make a pizza game board ahead of time, and help your child look at fractions in a whole new way.

What You Need:

• Several sheets of paper
• Marker
• Colored pencils
• Scissors
• Bowl

What You Do:

1. Draw a game board with 10 circles that will function as the pizzas. Decorate them with simple toppings. Tiny triangles and circles work well.
2. Divide these pizzas into fractions. Include one pizza that is cut into halves, two that are cut into thirds, three cut into quarters, and four cut into fifths.
3. Cut a piece of paper into 10 slips. On each one write one of the following fractions --1/2, 1/3, 2/3, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, and 4/5. Fold the slips in half and drop them into the bowl.
4. Have your child draw a slip of paper from the bowl. If it says 1/4, she gets to “eat” 1 of the 4 pieces by coloring it in. Does she know which pizza is cut into quarters?  Show her that the 4, called the denominator, reveals the total number of pieces in the pizza. The number on top of the fraction, the numerator, shows the number of pieces she gets to eat. Have her color in 1 slice of the pizza that is cut into four pieces.
5. Have her draw another slip of paper. Can she tell you the total number of pieces in this pizza?  Can she tell you how many she gets to eat? Help her find the correct pizza and color in the slices. 
6. Repeat until all of the slips of paper have been used.

Expand on this game by making additional game sheets. Just be certain that the food item is an easily divided shape such as a circle (pizzas, pies, cake) or a square (sandwich or brownie). Try and try again until she can gobble up 2/3 or 3/5 with confidence.

What Remains? BINGO

By Ellen Dean

This board game focuses on the art of finding remainders. With a few simple materials you can find around the house, you can create a fun new way to work on an important concept. Your child will start out by creating a bunch of division problems, then he'll solve them and, finally, he'll turn the remainders into a game of bingo.

What You Need:

• Index cards or white paper cut down to size
• Pencil
• Paper
• Ruler
• Counters (plastic chips, pennies, beans)
• Scratch paper

What You Do:

1. Have your child and all other players write a unique division problems on 24 index cards. Distribute the cards evenly among the players and figure out the answers on scratch paper. Double check the answers to make sure they are correct.
2. Write the correct answer on the back of the index card.
3. Create a bingo card by making a grid on paper. The grid should be 5 squares across and 5 squares down, with the center square being the "Free" square. Write B-I-N-G-O at the top of the grid.
4. Read aloud all of the answers on the back of the index cards. Have the players write down the numbers inside the squares on their bingo cards. They should choose which square they wish to write each number in and continue writing numbers in the squares until each square has a number in it.
5. Shuffle the index cards and place them face up in a stack in the middle of the table, so the answers cannot be seen.
6. All players should place a counter on the "Free" space.
7. Read aloud the division problem on the first card and let all the players work out the answer on their pieces of scratch paper. The first player to call out the correct answer gets to use that number on his bingo card.
8. Continue playing until the first player to make a full row on his card shouts, "Bingo!"

Mayflower Math

By Julie Williams

Okay, it’s true: the Mayflower is generally a social studies topic, not a math one. But if you’ve got an elementary school math maven, we think the historical record also contains some great opportunities for number practice!

Here’s an activity to pull out for Thanksgiving, as everyone talks about the history of the holiday. You’ll notice that some questions are much easier than others, and that’s on purpose. We think that sixth graders should be able to handle the whole thing; but younger kids may also be able to do parts (and feel very proud of themselves in the process!). Of course, parents, you’re also welcome to “hop on board” as well!

What You Need:

• “Mayflower Math” worksheet (download here)
• Pencil
• Scratch paper for working out the problems (Psst: parents, you may be tempted to use a calculator, but we recommend some old fashioned pencil and paper figuring to help kids reinforce the math behind their answers.)

What You Do:

1. Before you even put out worksheet or pencils, try engaging your child on the topic of the Mayflower. Remember: elementary classrooms almost always include Thanksgiving books and activities, and your child may know more than you think. For example, does anyone in your family know how many days the ship sailed? How many people were on board? How many were women, men, or kids? How big was the ship?
2. After guessing, download our “Mayflower Math” worksheet and get to work. Don’t worry if your kids skip around—as we’ve noted, these problems vary widely in difficulty. Encourage your young mathematician to try lots of strategies, and to ask for help along the way, too.
3. When you’re done, talk about your answers. You may all be impatient to check right and wrong, but an important math standard is “reasoning”—the ability to track your thinking and explain it. Your math teacher will thank you for the extra care.
4. Want to check your work? Download our answer sheets here: Answer Sheet 1, Answer Sheet 2.

Magnetic Division

By Mary Anne Edwards

The mere mention of long division may make your kid cringe. But there's no getting away from it: it's an important fourth grade math skill, and one he needs to know well. The key to conquering long division is lots of repetition and practice, but that doesn't have to mean all worksheets and scratch paper. Make this hands-on game, and explore the fun side of division.

What You Need:

• Roll of blank magnetic strips (with a white surface on one side)
• Magic markers
• Pencil
• Lined paper
• Scissors
• Large baking sheet (or use side of refrigerator)

What You Do:

1. Have your child grab the pencil and a sheet of lined paper and review his multiplication facts by completing the following problems:
   1. 3 x 2=____
   2. 4 x 5 = ____
   3. 6 x 7= ____
   4. 8 x 9 = ____
   5. 9 x 9 = ____
   6. 7 x 4=____
   7. 8 x 3 = ____
   8. 5 x 8 = ____
   9. 9 x 5 = ____
   10. 10 x 10 = ____
2. When he's done, check his answers. If he's a little shaky on certain multiplication facts, it doesn't hurt to try a few more problems.
3. When he’s ready, create the number tiles by writing the following numbers and symbols on the magnetic roll:
   • 2 sets of  numbers 0-9
   • 1 division sign
   • 1 set of numbers 10-100
   • 1 decimal point
4. Snip the numbers into individual tiles with the scissors.
5. Use the baking sheet and magnetic numbers to complete the following division problems:
   1. 250 / 2
   2. 1075 / 50
   3. 6728 / 46
   4. 9258 / 71
   5. 3478 / 62
   6. 8120 / 89
   7. 9671 / 34
   8. 754 / 12
6. Remind him to use the decimal point when needed. When he's done, help him check his answers. As he gets more confident, encourage him to try problems with larger numbers.

Need to practice addition, subtraction, or multiplication instead? No problem: just make plus sign, minus sign, and multiplication signs, too.

Mary Anne Edwards is a freelance writer with teaching experience in Preschool, First, and Fourth Grades. She has also taught Second Grade Title One reading groups.

Graham Cracker Division

By Melissa Dianda

Are you looking for a fun way to teach your child important math concepts? Start with this quick and simple activity that will teach him the concept of dividing whole numbers by fractions—using one of his favorite snacks! Graham crackers are perfect for this activity, since they're easily divided into equal parts…and they make a great tasting reward!

What You Need:

• Graham Crackers (whole can be divided into 2 parts)
• Lined paper
• Pencil

What You Do:

1. First, have your child predict what he thinks 1 divided by ½ is. With a little help from a graham cracker, invite him to find out if he's correct.
2. Hand over a whole graham cracker to your child. Explain that this is one graham cracker, so it represents the number 1.
3. Then, have him divide the graham cracker in half by bending it down the middle. After it splits, ask him to count how many graham cracker pieces there now are.
4. After he responds that there are two, say “That's correct. 1 divided by ½ is 2.” He may looked puzzled, since most division problem answers or quotients are usually smaller than the dividend, which in this case was 1.
5. Now, ask your child to predict what 2 divided by ½ is.
6. After your child responds, have him set the broken graham cracker aside and hand him two more. Explain that now he has two graham crackers, representing the number 2.
7. Then, have him divide the graham crackers in half by bending them and splitting them down the middle. After they split, ask your child how many pieces there are.
8. After he responds that there are 4 pieces, say, “That's correct. 2 divided by ½ equals 4.”
9. Next, explain how to divide whole numbers by fractions without using graham crackers. Multiply the whole number by the fraction that has been reversed. 1 divided by 1/2; 1 X 2/1 = 2, or 1/1 x 2/1 = 2/1, which equals 2. Remind him that any whole number is equivalent to that number, over 1.
10. Have your child try a few problems on lined paper. For example, 3 divided by 1/4 is 3 X 4 = 12. 4 divided by 1/4; 4 X 4 = 16, 5 divided by 1/3; 5 X 3 =15.

Finally, celebrate your child's new math concept with a yummy snack of sweet graham crackers! Try practicing some more math during snack time.

Hula Hoop Times Tables

By Alicia Danyali

If you’re finding it painful to get your child to practice math lessons learned throughout the school year and her skills are slipping, try this mental and physical multitasking game to get your child back into the swing of things. This physical coordination reinforcement activity uses a hula hoop to get the mental juices flowing. It's especially fun with two or more players taking turns and keeping score, but it works just as well with one.

What You Need:

• Hula hoop
• Pad of paper
• Pencil
• Bowl or hat
• Timer

What You Do:

1. Make a list of the multiplication tables your child has learned during the school year. Your child will be reflecting on and reinforcing these lessons as she looks back on what she’s learned. Space these out on the page so that you will be able to cut each item into a separate strip of paper. Once the list seems substantial, cut up the paper, fold it in half, and place it in the bowl or hat.
2. Now let the hula thinking begin! Start by having one person pick a piece of paper from the bowl, read the category out loud and get ready with the hula hoop. The other player will be the note taker, and should write down the times table category and name of the Hula Hooper for score-keeping purposes. Put the paper back in the cup once read, so it can be picked it in the future.
3. The hula hoop player starts hooping, while reciting the times table category that she has chosen. For example, if she has chosen the 6 times table, she should recite "6, 12, 18, 24 ..." as she keeps the hula hoop up. Using a stopwatch or other kind of timer, the note taker keeps track of how long the hula hooper keeps the hoop going while still managing to recite the answers. The turn ends when the hula hoop falls to the ground and stops or the hooper can't come up with any more products.
4. Now the next player gets a turn, following steps 2 and 3, until everyone gets a chance to play and all of the multiplication tables are practiced by each player. If a player chooses a number they've already done, they should place the paper back in the cup and choose again.

Alicia Danyali, BS Elementary Education, taught primary-level students for four years at the International School of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The last four years of her teaching career, she taught at the Washington International School in Washington, D.C. She recently completed writing a series of children's picture books and is a mother of one young son.

Map Multiplication Tables Game

By Ellen Dean

Practice math while learning the geography of the the U.S. in this fun, competitive game. Using a deck of cards, players multiply two cards they draw from a deck. If they get them correct, they can then say the name of the state they are going to color in. If they get the multiplication problem correct, their turn is over and it's the next player's turn. Whoever completely colors in their map of the U.S. first wins!

What You Need:

• Deck of playing cards with the face cards (jacks, queens and kings) removed
• Photocopied black outlined map of the US, one per player
• Colored pencils, or markers
• 2 or more players

What You Do:

1. Ask one of the players to shuffle the deck and place it face down in the center of the table. Have another player pass out maps and either colored pencils or markers to the players.
2. Have the kids label each of the states with their correct state names.
3. Then, in each of the states, have the kids write in different products they'll encounter while multiplying the different cards in the deck together.
4. Have the players determine the value of the face cards. Tell them that for the purpose of the game aces = 1.
5. Choose one player to start. Ask her to draw two cards and place them face up so the other players can see. She must correctly state the product that results when the two cards are multiplied together.
6. If she answers correctly, she should find the state containing that product.
7. Before she can color it in, she must correctly identify the respective state's name.
8. If she doesn't come up with the right product, and follow up with a correct state name, play moves on to the next player.
9. The player who's first to successfully color his map in completely is the winner.

Helpful Tip: Make this game even more challenging by asking players to name the capital city of each state before coloring they're allowed to color it in.

Divide by Two Activity

By ChristianMiller

Learning to divide is a math skill that will not only come in handy during math class, it'll be useful later on in life when baking or dividing up the bill. Help her get a jump on division early with this engaging math game!

What You Need:

• Scissors
• Construction paper
• Black marker

What You Do:

1. Encourage your child to fold the sheet of construction paper in half.
2. Then, using the black marker, have her draw nine lines on the front of the folded over paper, separating it into 10 different sections.
3. Have your child use the scissors to carefully cut along the lines she made in the previous step. These will be the game cards.
4. Then, using the black marker, have her write the numbers 10-100, by tens, on the front of every card (one number per card). For example, on the first card you write 10, on the next card, write 20, and write 30 on the one after that. Keep making cards until you reach 100.
5. Then, take over duties by opening each card. On the inside, write the answer by dividing the number on the outside by two. For instance, on the inside of the 10 card, write five. On the inside of the 30 card, write 15.
6. Next, have your child shuffle the cards together.
7. To start playing, she should flip over the top card of the deck.
8. Then, she has 5 seconds to divide the number on the front of the card by two.
9. Once she guesses, she should open the card and see if she got the answer right.
10. If she's correct, let her set the card to the side.
11. To win, she must successfully make her way through each and every card.

Play Two-Minute Multiples

By Brigid Del Carmen

Updated on May 24, 2013

Learning math vocabulary isn't exactly a walk in the park, but as Mary Poppins taught us, if you make a game out of it, almost anything can be fun. This game reinforces the meaning of the term “multiples” and is fast enough to hold the attention of your fourth-grader. Play it one-on-one, or include siblings and friends! No one will forget multiples after participating in this quick review, cleverly disguised as a game.

What You Need:

• Paper and pencils
• Small paper bag
• 9 index cards
• Timer

What You Do:

1. Cut three sheets of paper into approximately 100 cards.
2. Quickly write the first ten multiples for numbers 2-10 on the cards, one number per card.
   • 2: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20
   • 3: 3,6,9,12,15,18,21,24,27,30
   • 4: 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40
   • 5: 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50
   • 6: 6,12,18,24,30,36,42,48,54,60
   • 7: 7,14,21,28,35,42,49,56,63,70
   • 8: 8,16,24,32,40,48,56,64,72,80
   • 9: 9,18,27,36,45,54,63,72,81,90
   • 10: 10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100
3. Write the numbers 2 through 10 on the index cards.
4. Give each player a scrap sheet of paper and a pencil. Shuffle the multiples and place them in the small paper bag. Place the index cards face down on the table.
5. To play, each player chooses an index card and writes his number on the scrap paper. The goal is to correctly write down all the multiples of your number. Remember: a multiple of a number is the product of that number and another number. For example, 15 is a multiple of 5 because 5 x 3 = 15.
6. Set a timer for two minutes. Pull one multiple from the bag and read it aloud. Tell players to write it on their papers only if it is a multiple of their number. For example, if Player A's number is 8 and the multiple picked from the bag is 32, Player A should write 32 on his sheet (8 x 4 = 32).
7. Continue pulling multiples for two minutes. When time is up, each player counts the multiples written next to his number. The player with the most multiples wins! Pick new numbers and play another round.

If the number picked from the bag is a multiple of more than one number being played, treat it like a tie and have each player write the multiple on his sheet. Feel free to lengthen or shorten the two-minute time limit, depending on the ability and attention span of the players.

Once your child masters multiples, try this game to practice factors.

Tic-Tac-Toe Multiplication

By ChristianMiller

There are plenty of fun ways to practice multiplication facts, and this game is definitely one of them! Every third grader needs to work towards memorizing his times tables. Try reviewing those facts tic-tac-toe style! Set up your board and start solving those multiplication problems. Three in a row wins!

What You Need:

• 9 sheets of white paper
• Black marker
• Two players

What You Do:

1. Let your child draw a standard, nine square tic-tac-toe grid on each of the nine sheets of white paper with the black marker.
2. Then, help your child place each of the nine sheets of paper in a 3 x 3 square, with the tic tac toe grids facing up.
3. Next, take over duties and write a random multiplication equation in each of the 81 spaces.
4. Explain to the players that the rules are exactly like those of standard tic-tac-toe.
5. Players take turns trying to solve the various problems in the grids.
6. When players successfully solve a problem, they put either an X or an O in the square.
7. Whoever gets tic-tac-toe on a given grid can turn the sheet over and mark it with a giant X or O.
8. To win, a player must get three sheets in a row.

Schoolyard Multiplication

By Ellen Dean

Your child's multiplication skills will help him move around the schoolyard in this fun game. Once you've drawn a school map, outlining favorite locations such as the main building, swing sets, lunch room and basketball court, it's time to race around the yard while mastering the all-important times tables.

What You Need:

• Pair of dice
• White paper for game board
• Black marker
• 1 marker per player (beans, coins, foam shape, etc.)

What You Do:

1. Encourage players to come up with a list of their favorite locations at school.
2. Have each player draw the locations in a large oval shape on their respective piece of paper, then tell them to connect the locations with lines to create the game board (see picture). Make sure the main school building is one of the drawings, as this will be the starting point.
3. Ask each player to come up with different numbers that are products of potential dice rolls. This means, of course, that prime numbers shouldn't be included. Also, keep the numbers under 36.
4. Encourage them to assign each location a different number they happened to come up with.
5. Have all of the players place their game pieces on their main school buildings.
6. Decide which player will go first (we played roshambo) and have this player roll the dice.
7. Have the player find the product of the two numbers he rolled and say it out loud. If the product is the same as the number of the next location on the game board, he can move his game piece to the next location on his game board. If he doesn't end up rolling the product he assigned to the next location, must stay where he is.
8. Whoever goes all the way around the schoolyard first wins!

Variation: For younger players, use addition. The highest number on the game board should be 12.

This activity is a great opportunity to introduce the concept of probability. Before the kids create their game boards, explain to them that there are certain product that will occur more frequently than others and hint that it may be in their best interest to pick the "popular products for their game boards so as to increase their chances of winning.