With all the (well-deserved) focus on summer reading during out of school months, it’s easy to let math skills and number sense melt away like a popsicle in the hot July sun. However, we believe that math and literacy go hand in hand.  Here are some fun activities to get the math gears turning in your child’s brain this summer.

1. Chalk Number Line Race: A strong foundation in number sense is especially important for younger students. This activity lets them move their muscles while gaining an understanding of number order, addition and subtraction. How to Play: Make a number line with chalk from 0-20. For older students, step it up to increments of 5, 10, etc. All students start with their feet on 0 to start. Make several “play” cards that students will draw in order to play. For example: “Add 5” or “Subtract 3.” Students take turns drawing play cards and jumping to the number that their card indicates. The first to the end of the number line wins!

2. Plant (and measure) a Garden: What better way to get outside, get a little messy and practice math than to plant a garden? Students will use key math skills like measuring the spaces between seeds and volume of water needed, counting the seeds themselves, and dividing number of seeds per row. You can even graph the seedling height as they grow!

3. Shape Scavenger Hunt: Besides being important precursors to spacial reasoning and geometry, shapes are all around us in nature! Send your child on a scavenger hunt for ovals, triangles, diamonds, and more in the backyard or wherever you may be. Here is a downloadable version to get you started.

4. Start Saving: Not only does budgeting money towards a goal instill responsibility, but it’s also a great opportunity to practice counting and place value. Decide together what you’ll save for and designate a big container where spare change/saved money can go. As you get closer to your goal, subtract your saved amount from your goal amount to figure out how much more you need. Then celebrate when you reach your goal!

5. Map it: Going on a road trip this summer? Get your child involved in helping to plan the route on a map and tracking your progress as you drive. Not only will this keep kids engaged in the back seat and reinforce directional and measurement skills,but  it will also encourage them to read road signs, map legends, etc. Literacy in action!
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Thanks to the Math Geek Mama and Think Through Learning blogs for generating some of these ideas.
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