Strategies to Master Multiplication
How old were you when you learned your multiplication facts? Knowing basic math facts and skills is the foundation of strong math progress, yet multiplication seems daunting to many children and parents. I often tell students that if they do not know their math facts they can still get the right answer, but their classmates who know their math facts will get the answer faster. In elementary school the time gap is not as apparent as it is in middle school and beyond. Start with conceptualizing the facts, add some counting and reasoning strategies, and then work on fact mastery. Mastering multiplication facts does not have to be a painful experience. Most schools try to have students be fluent in the one by one digit multiplication facts by memory by the end of grade 3 as they conceptualize multiplication and division. Fluency is as important in math as in reading no matter the access to calculators and audio books. However, straight memorization of math facts without a concept of multiplication is like memorizing the alphabet without understanding that the letters represent sounds that blend together to make words. How can parents and tutors help children learn to master the multiplication…
10 Spring Cleaning Tips
Would you rather shake the rugs or dust the ceiling fans? My number one spring cleaning tip, of course, is to sign up for my Clean the Chaos course and you’ll be cleaning and decluttering each space of your home throughout the year without a need for a big spring cleaning! Did I mention that for less than $50 for the year, you get a 5 step system that works in every space along with monthly checklists and motivational emails? You can sign up right now for free and get started! If you love it, you can buy the rest of the course. Spring is a time of refresh after the winter. There are so many little things you can do to welcome spring into your home and clean out the winter cobwebs. This is not an ultimate spring cleaning list, but a few useful tips to reset your home for spring. Dust cobwebs off ceiling, ceiling fans, vents, and light fixtures. (And vacuum up the dust that falls down!) Wash the baseboards and hose vacuum the edge of the carpet where it meets the wall (you know that long crevice that your regular vacuum misses!). Clean the curtains and…
20 International Travel Necessities
When going on an international trip, what must-have things should you not leave home without? The internet is full of helpful packing lists for travel, but often lacks the explanation as to WHY those items are necessities or how to differentiate between necessities and niceties. In addition to your clothes, what should you not leave home without? Whether you have made your first international travel plans or are helping a friend pack, here are a 20 necessities and 20 niceties for international travel to get your started. Bon voyage! Necessities Travel tissues (not all bathrooms have tissues, have one in your daypack and one extra in your luggage) Change/small bills (to pay to use some restrooms or buy water in order to be able use a restroom, to pay at places that do not accept cards) Credit/Bank card without international fees (notify your bank of your travels, too, so you can release your cards for international use) 1 reusable grocery bag (many stores charge for bags) Day pack or bag with crossbody strap (for the days when you aren’t carrying your luggage everywhere) Hand sanitizer (so many germs in public spaces!) Universal power adapter (can be used in different countries)…
10 Read Aloud Books for the Younger Years
What is your favorite picture book from your childhood? Reading aloud is so important in the younger years. It teaches a love of reading, models fluency, introduces vocabulary, builds curiosity, and opens the door for great discussions. These picture books I like for the writing and the illustrations, especially the colored pencil art in Albert and the watercolors and postcards in Toot and Puddle. Several stories are about overcoming fears, making friends, travel adventures, and family. Some have sensitive topics that will take careful discussion, but what better place to have these conversations than in your own living room. I took a walk down memory lane and pulled these off my bookshelf. Some I read to my own kids and some were from my classroom. Below are 10 of my favorites for read aloud books for the younger years (or actually for any age!). Just pulling these favorite books off my shelf has brought me joy and a flood of memories from my classroom and my own children in their younger years. I am looking forward to reading these to my grandchildren! A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black and Kevin Hawkes “Like most…