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How do you encourage Hands-on Learning?

How do you have fun with math?

From the lens Hands-on Math Activities.

Tell me about your messy project or teaching idea. Take lots of pictures showing how your children use their math manipulatives so that you can share your ideas with us. Please let me know if you would like to learn how to make a page like this one. In the meantime, have fun with math...

  • poldepc May 19, 2012 @ 1:41 pm | delete
    great lens you posted
  • rachelscott May 7, 2012 @ 1:02 am | delete
    Math is my favorite subject.
  • dariameister Apr 18, 2012 @ 11:53 am | delete
    Give them a realistic scenario with a mathematical problem or puzzle :)
  • NinaLouder Apr 18, 2012 @ 6:15 am | delete
    Great lens.
  • Keeah Apr 14, 2012 @ 9:07 pm | delete
    I use whatever, toy, food or activity the child is currently fascinated with turn it into a math activity.
  • TutorAgency Apr 9, 2012 @ 9:02 am | delete
    Thanks for another excellent lens. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing?
  • Pangionedevelopers Feb 18, 2012 @ 7:43 pm | delete
    great info source
  • hntrssthmpsn Feb 10, 2012 @ 9:39 pm | delete
    My son had some initial difficulties with the concept of postitive and negative numbers and the number line. We tried examples using money, beans, drawings... finally, we found ourselves on a staircase with a landing in the middle and inspiration struck. We declared the landing to be zero, and he had the concept down pat in under three minutes. I love the variety of hands-on approaches you lay out here! That "eureka moment" is accessible via such a wide range of paths!
  • jimmyworldstar Feb 4, 2012 @ 11:58 pm | delete
    Hands on math is great for kids who have trouble with numbers. I remember as a kid I used objects and analogies which made it easier for me to comprehend division and multiplication when I started elementary school.
  • gonzalezdenise Jan 30, 2012 @ 8:31 pm | delete
    Loved your lens.
  • OhMe Jan 30, 2012 @ 6:24 am | delete
    I love Math Activities! Great lens.
  • Brite-Ideas Jan 29, 2012 @ 11:42 pm | delete
    fantastic lens!
  • Ramkitten Jan 29, 2012 @ 10:20 pm | delete
    I can't offer anything to answer your question here, but I will say ... another amazingly comprehensive lens on learning. Excellent! *Blessed*
  • Blessedmombygrace Jan 29, 2012 @ 9:46 pm | delete
    Great lens. We have currently hit the Algebra wall in our homeschooling, I will have to check out the resource you mentioned using with your daughter.
  • Donnette Jan 11, 2012 @ 2:05 am | delete
    Another fantastic lens. You are such an inspiration!
  • Titus2Homemaker Dec 21, 2011 @ 9:25 pm | delete
    Thank you for sharing! I have heard that algebra can be taught with manipulatives, but I never could figure out how to do that. Having a book recommendation is very helpful. :)
  • Dec 16, 2011 @ 1:16 pm | delete
    Really enjoyed this lens. It's a keeper!
  • spartakct Oct 29, 2011 @ 12:50 pm | delete
    Wonderful lens! great tips!
  • TamaraKajari Sep 21, 2011 @ 3:03 pm | delete
    Absolutely fascinating lens! Your enthusiasm is unbelievable :) And after reading this lens and seeing things from your perspective I am so much more sad about the education system here in Croatia.
  • AngelDey Jul 17, 2011 @ 8:50 pm | delete
    My son and I play card games and add up points and lately I've been having him help me figure 10, 15 and 20% tips when we go out. He does lots of math when he counts up how much allowance he's getting. I encourage him to save up for something so he can continue to add, multiply, subtract and divide as he works his way toward his goal. I've been paying close attention to Math-U-See as well to teach higher level maths as my son gets up into the older grades.
  • phoenix-arizona-friends Jul 11, 2011 @ 4:35 pm | delete
    Great way to teach kids math.
  • akumar46 May 19, 2011 @ 7:15 am | delete
    Thanks for your nice tips on learning maths in a fun way.
  • lasertek May 7, 2011 @ 12:29 am | delete
    math can be a very challenging subject. tnx for this lens.
  • Wedding_Mom Apr 22, 2011 @ 6:24 am | delete
    Math has always been a problem to some, they said its either you hate it or you love it. This is a wonderful way to help kids understand math as early as possible so they wont dread it. Great Job!
  • sushilkin Apr 21, 2011 @ 11:03 am | delete
    Such a nice lens. Thanks for Sharing !!
  • foovay Apr 12, 2011 @ 10:51 pm | delete
    Oh yeah - blessed by an angel ;)
  • foovay Apr 12, 2011 @ 10:51 pm | delete
    This is a very impressive list of resources along with explanations anyone can understand. Where were you when they were boring me to tears with pages and pages of math problems!
  • GonnaFly Mar 8, 2011 @ 3:09 am | delete
    Wow! What an awesome collection of ideas and resources. This lens has been blessed by the and added to my best maths resources lens.
  • goatlover_and_pescetarian Feb 26, 2011 @ 4:03 am | delete
    wow! that was along long lens, but it had me totally hooked! L: x how about you put a poll in:

    do you find that you or your children benefit: a) a lot more
    b)a bit more
    c) the same as
    or d) less than

    doing hands-on activities as opposed to book work and reading.
  • Momsbusy247 Nov 13, 2010 @ 11:01 am | delete
    A wealth of resources! I love the cake and candle method of teaching math, genius!
  • mrvardeman Nov 12, 2010 @ 11:46 am | delete
    I created a Survivor style game for my students. They had so much fun.
  • WriterBuzz Oct 3, 2010 @ 5:35 am | delete
    Very cool lens. Informative and fun. Thanks for sharing. Thumbs Up given.
  • WriterBuzz Oct 3, 2010 @ 5:26 am | delete
    Your lens is great. Very informative. I liked your lens with a thumbs up.
  • dagsmith Sep 25, 2010 @ 7:29 am | delete
    Great resource!
  • lemonsqueezy Sep 24, 2010 @ 7:25 am | delete
    This is a great lens. My daughter really struggles in math. She is in middle school now and we have tried everything we can think of to help her. This is a great way to make math fun... and she definitely learns better with manipulatives, but it is difficult to use them now that we are approaching algebra. I will go through this lens with a fine toothed comb later tonight. Thanks for putting all of this information in one location. Lensrolling to my AD/HD lens.
  • LeanneChesser Sep 12, 2010 @ 6:43 pm | delete
    This is a fantastic lens about hands on learning. I make sure to incorporate hands on learning as well as other learning styles (and all the senses) when I teach. You've provided some excellent ideas for teaching math and I'll be back - - favoriting this one.
  • Garfield Aug 5, 2010 @ 4:28 am | delete
    Just like to share some ideas on what I have discovered when teaching my children about math.

    I make some simple cards for them to play multiplication games. This makes it so fun and enjoyable for them to learn times tables.

    We also use poker cards to play somefun math activities. They learn math while enjoy playing cards.
  • DavidBrook Jul 1, 2010 @ 8:14 am | delete
    If you want to get a site, which is based on math games in many different subjects for kids, you can try this:
    Online Probability Games
    and for more interactive free online math games for kids:
    Online Math Games for Kids
  • StephenC Jun 25, 2010 @ 12:19 pm | delete
    Hands on stuff is great for motivation and engagement. Good stuff!
  • audreylai Feb 26, 2010 @ 10:42 pm | delete
    I just have to favorite this lens and give it a 5-star. I have a 4+ year old son and it's a challenge trying to teach him addition and subtraction now. At school, he is being taught how to use a 9-bead abacus. I think the abacus does help kids to visualize which makes it easier.
  • YourFirstTime Dec 22, 2009 @ 9:38 pm | delete
    Their brains seem to move forward when they can get out of their seats. Great lens.
  • Evelyn_Saenz Jan 7, 2010 @ 9:08 am | delete
    You are soooo right about that. Moving kids are learning kids.
  • Sadheeskumar Sep 9, 2009 @ 4:16 am | delete
    Dear Evelyn_Saenz,
    I must say you are very good at teaching. I have spend really long time to read the content from top to bottom. I am very much impressed by your work. I am giving you 5 STARS to this lens.
  • AddaptAbilities Aug 21, 2009 @ 9:02 pm | delete
    Wow. You might even have been able to teach me how to do math! Lensrolled to my dyscalculia/math learning disability lens (squidoo/mathld). Thanks!
  • Amitabh1702 Mar 27, 2009 @ 7:43 pm | delete
    I have featured your lens in my lens => The Music of the Primes - Book Review
    Hope you approve.
    Oh by the way, it is a 5*. Just so that you know how much I love this lens.
  • nightbear Mar 15, 2009 @ 12:11 am | delete
    I always did and still do love Math. This is a very impacting lens. Kids and adults could benefit.
  • bixby Mar 13, 2009 @ 9:14 pm | delete
    WOW - Look at this. Thanks for the invite. Beautiful!!!!
  • sandyspider Mar 13, 2009 @ 8:59 pm | delete
    Hands on is always the best. Nice resource of information.
  • spirituality Mar 13, 2009 @ 12:52 pm | delete
    Lensrolled to my two lenses about math at home :)
  • TimeHacker Mar 13, 2009 @ 10:14 am | delete
    Great resource! Must check again when I'll have children :) 5*
  • ArtByLinda Mar 13, 2009 @ 9:20 am | delete
    What a great way to learn that math can be fun! Great lens! Linda
  • Jimmie Mar 10, 2009 @ 9:01 pm | delete
    Welcome to the Learning and Teaching Math Group!
  • andreaberrios Jan 31, 2009 @ 2:51 pm | delete
    I love math, in fact it was my favorite subject in college (calculus) the best!! Now my kids are starting to have the same passion for math. This is a great lens! Thanks for putting it together so beautifully. 5* and favorite!
  • marsha32 Jan 14, 2009 @ 9:31 pm | delete
    I'm so amazed by what I am finding and learning here at squidoo. Thank you so much for putting this together and for all the links within.
  • Evelyn_Saenz Nov 3, 2008 @ 1:05 pm | in reply to Michelle Yisrael | delete
    I would go to the Activity Resources website and check out all the wonderful activities and teacher's books for teaching high school students in a hands-on way. Good luck to you.
  • Michelle Yisrael Nov 2, 2008 @ 1:24 pm | delete
    There is very interesting and useful information posted on your site. I am a new math teacher of an alternative school for high school drop outs given a second chance at a diploma. My students are not motivated and have recognizable gaps in their learning. How can I bring math to life them?
  • lakeerieartists Oct 14, 2008 @ 12:39 pm | delete
    Another great lens, Evelyn. We have struggled with math with our kids over the years.
  • oneskms Oct 14, 2008 @ 12:13 pm | delete
    I find your lenses wonderfull, inspiring and educational. Great work 5* and favourite
  • BeautySecrets Sep 25, 2008 @ 9:58 am | delete
    Hi Evelyn,

    I am so glad that I found your lens. You have shown me many creative ways to help my grandchildren understand math. Great job Evelyn. I appreciate your efforts creating this lens.
  • StephenC Sep 19, 2008 @ 10:43 am | delete
    Terrific Lens! Liked the information. Will come again!
    Be an Unforgettable Teacher!
    StephenC
  • mulberry Aug 16, 2008 @ 9:53 am | delete
    More amazing work, so useful and thorough.
  • rwoman Aug 15, 2008 @ 7:07 pm | delete
    Great advice. The only way to really learn something is to do it for yourself. Lecture, or banking education as Paulo Friere called it, just doesn't work very effectively.
  • A_RovingReporter Jun 28, 2008 @ 1:57 am | delete
    You're really hands-on in this lens! Keep it up! Five stars without an iota of doubt.
  • Jimmie Jun 1, 2008 @ 10:09 pm | delete
    I love the math journal idea! Great work, Evelyn! I have other Living Math ideas on my lens. :-)
  • Becca_Sanz Apr 26, 2008 @ 6:16 am | delete
    Your lens is very informative. Staying healthy is very important. I hope you will support movement to promote Healthy Food on college campuses.
  • RickBasset Mar 31, 2008 @ 12:30 pm | delete
    Awesome lens! My 7 yr old son is starting to discover math and enjoy it. I am seeing that many of the concepts mentioned here are being used in his classroom and are certainly helping to make math more enjoyable for him.
    I'm a fan!
    *****

    Peace! :~)
  • EeHai Feb 29, 2008 @ 3:04 am | delete
    You have a very nice and interesting site. Much of the ideas sound logical. I have tried a few of them also. What I have applied is the drawing of items that each students like. For example, if a boy like cars, I would like him to draw 3 white cars and 4 blue cars and asking him to tell me total sum of cars. I have also tried using coloured sticks (from the game "pick-up-stick") to explain division in maths. For more advance topics, sometime I played board games (if time permit) like snake and ladder where counting is involved. The rule is for them to jump directly to the location without counting one by one. I aim to activate as much of their senses as possible.
    I will Blogroll your site at www.limeehai.com which is abot the Principle of Mathematics.
  • JJ37 Feb 7, 2008 @ 9:37 am | delete
    You have put together another valuable resource for teachers and parents! 5 stars! Please come visit my newest lens, Nature and Earth-Friendly Books for All Ages. when you have a chance.
  • kathysart Jan 22, 2008 @ 6:23 pm | delete
    Ooops I meant ISLE of Squid of course! lol!

    Unlock Creativity|Critical Thinking Creative Writing Active Reading=Great Art
    http://www.squidoo.com/createart/
  • kathysart Jan 22, 2008 @ 6:20 pm | delete
    Blessings all the way to China!
    and
    5 HUGE stars!
    I also reviewed your lemmings lens today on Islae of Squid.. if you can will you review mine at:
    Fantasy Art Woman|Beautiful Women Goddess Art:
    http://www.squidoo.com/kathysart

    Aloha, Kathy
  • groovyoldlady Oct 1, 2007 @ 1:57 pm | delete
    Don't forget Math-U-See! Nice resources!
  • Eevee Sep 27, 2007 @ 10:20 pm | delete
    Nice Lens! :)

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Evelyn_Saenz

Hello world. I am a teacher and homeschooling mom. I love to help others find exciting ways to help children learn.

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