martinzoo

Using ALEKS for our math this year has been great. GB has mastered 75% of the 4th grade already.

BUT….. he still is very hesitant about multiplication. And as you know, if you don’t have those multiples down pat, it makes all future math problems take longer, and feel harder. The ALEKS program is great for teaching the concepts. But we need to step back and really have a reinforcement day for multiplying. I’d really like him to know these facts easily.

So we started our day with this video. It’s a great video that shows you just how easy it will be to memorize these multiple facts, if you take it a step at a time.

Then we sat on the couch, with a nice fire in the fireplace and had a no-stress, no time limit flash card session. We really tried to work on those numbers in the 6’s, 7’s, and 8’s that he’s having problems with.

After a short break we came back to the computer and played some math computer games. I was hoping that this would help with his speed. We played:

Lemonade Larry ~ this was a nice easy warm-up

Pumpkin Multiples ~ this one didn’t work well, because he was too slow with his facts

Space Racer ~ we had the same slowness problem with this game

Balloon Invaders ~ he had a lot of fun with this game, so I highly recommend this one, especially for boys
After lunch we played a game I’m calling Tic-Tic-Tac-Tac-Toe. It’s like Tic-Tac-Toe except you play on a 5 X 5 grid instead of a 3 X 3. Plus, in order to place his icon, he has to roll two dice and answer the multiplication problem correctly. Once he does that he has to place his icons in such a way as to get 5 in a row in any direction.

We also played these games.

Multiplication Mystery ~ he liked this one because there was no speed factor involved. And at this point in the day, he needed something that didn’t involve a time limit.

and Timez Attack which is a download. But it’s free and the graphics are really cool.

After all this reinforcement, I still think he needs more. So tomorrow, instead of Language Arts, I may have a repeat Math day. Because I really think this is important. And because we can. Since we homeschool, we can do anything! Right?

‘Twas time to decorate the family tree,

The tedious job of lights was mine you see.

“Stop! Don’t do that! Don’t take a picture of me!”

“If you’re gonna, I might as well be silly!”

Jabem lounged and praised yonder Christmas tree…

“This is a great spot,” was his quiet decree.

“I’m gonna get that evasive GB!”

Hmmm…. this decoration looks mighty tasty.

When it’s hard to reach, it sometimes will take three.

The perfect spot is no triviality.

“Now Santa, what would YOU like under your tree?”

Desperately!

Calling all family and friends within loaning distance….

I am missing << gasp! >> this book. Seriously folks, this is my favorite book of all time.

If I have loaned it out to you, I need it back. My collection is incomplete.

If I don’t get it back soon, I’m going to write to The Poisoned Pen bookstore, because they will sell me one of her books and have her autograph it, which would be cool.

I am needing to read this again….. oh, yeah, it is a need!

I just wanted to let you all know that the Martin family Christmas lists have been compiled. As usual, these are just suggestions. We ALL really appreciate surprises, so this is just a guideline.

I have provided links so you can see what we are talking about, but that doesn’t limit you to these products. Feel free to branch off into realms unknown.

Here is the link to our lists. You can also reach the list by checking the sidebar or the link at the top of the page.