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    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers</loc>
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    <lastmod>2025-01-22</lastmod>
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    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/nurturing-math-confidence-raising-kids-who-love-numbers</loc>
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    <lastmod>2025-01-22</lastmod>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Nurturing Math Confidence: Raising Kids Who Love Numbers - Encourage a Growth Mindset</image:title>
      <image:caption>Teach your kids that math ability isn't fixed – it can be developed with practice and effort. Praise their hard work and progress rather than just correct answers. Remember, every child learns differently, so be patient and keep things positive.</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Nurturing Math Confidence: Raising Kids Who Love Numbers - Use Games to Boost Math Skills and Confidence</image:title>
      <image:caption>Educational games are one of the most effective (and fun!) ways to improve math skills. Math-focused card games, for instance, offer numerous benefits: They make learning interactive and enjoyable Games reduce math anxiety by creating a relaxed environment Players practice mental math without even realizing it Many games involve strategy, enhancing critical thinking skills The social aspect of games boosts confidence and communication</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Nurturing Math Confidence: Raising Kids Who Love Numbers - Make Math a Part of Everyday Life</image:title>
      <image:caption>Math isn't just about textbooks and worksheets. It's all around us! Encourage your kids to spot patterns in nature, count objects during walks, or calculate discounts while shopping. These real-world applications make math relevant and exciting.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/23d9cf1d-b0e6-4210-9424-dd3c66d33d57/Mistakes.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Nurturing Math Confidence: Raising Kids Who Love Numbers - Celebrate Mistakes as Learning Opportunities</image:title>
      <image:caption>Create a positive atmosphere around problem-solving. When your child makes a mistake, use it as a chance to explore different approaches. Even professional mathematicians make errors – it's part of the learning process!</image:caption>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/b11c138d-3606-46be-883b-d172c2604bd7/Variety+is.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Nurturing Math Confidence: Raising Kids Who Love Numbers - Provide Diverse Math Experiences</image:title>
      <image:caption>Expose your children to various aspects of mathematics – from geometry and algebra to statistics and logic puzzles. This broad exposure helps them find areas they particularly enjoy and excel in.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/7045e871-a4c4-4090-ad07-aa64fab503ff/leader-2815528_1280.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Nurturing Math Confidence: Raising Kids Who Love Numbers - Lead by Example</image:title>
      <image:caption>Show enthusiasm for math in your own life. Talk about how you use math in your job or daily activities. If you struggle with certain concepts, let your kids see you working through problems – it's a great opportunity to model perseverance! But, whatever you do, don’t say “I‘m not good at math.” That will give your children permission to say and think the same.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/unleash-your-creative-superpowers-on-international-dot-day</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-08-25</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/8487b95e-d695-4934-91bf-eee4a236d149/Copy+of+dot+day+2.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Unleash Your Creative Superpowers on International Dot Day! - In this blog post, we'll take you on a tour through the history of International Dot Day, explore the heartwarming story that started it all, and offer a treasure trove of activities and book recommendations that will infuse your classrooms and homes with creativity and courage. Whether you're a seasoned Dot Day enthusiast or hearing about it for the first time, there's something here for everyone. So, grab your virtual paintbrush, and let's get started on a journey of dots, dreams, and delightful discoveries!</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/4335c9c4-70c8-408a-895c-7f04171d4abc/Screenshot+2023-08-25+5.22.32+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Unleash Your Creative Superpowers on International Dot Day! - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/e553037e-b451-4f0d-9112-088717777cd2/dot+day+1.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Unleash Your Creative Superpowers on International Dot Day! - International Dot Day didn't just happen overnight; it's a heartwarming story of how a single teacher's creativity sparked a global movement. Back in 2009, a teacher named Terry Shay introduced his classroom to "The Dot," a children's book by Peter H. Reynolds. Little did he know, this simple act of sharing a story would ignite a worldwide celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration. As we mark September 15th as International Dot Day, we'll delve into the origins of this special day and discover how it has evolved from a classroom project into a source of inspiration for countless children and adults worldwide. So, let's take a trip down memory lane and uncover the beautiful history of International Dot Day!</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/a78f9ba6-0fba-4753-aac0-d2b9d0588fac/dot+day+4.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Unleash Your Creative Superpowers on International Dot Day! - Fun art project ideas https://artfulparent.com/19-dot-art-ideas-for-kids/ https://www.craftsbycourtney.com/how-to-crafts/dot-art-for-kids/</image:title>
      <image:caption>Related books to read: https://www.goodreads.com/book/similar/2919579-the-dot https://www.allthewonders.com/books/16-books-to-celebrate-dot-day/</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/a6ab18e4-5450-4789-a26a-3e813f42e391/_dot+day+3.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Unleash Your Creative Superpowers on International Dot Day! - At the heart of International Dot Day lies the power of a small dot and a big idea. "The Dot," penned by Peter H. Reynolds, tells the tale of a caring teacher who challenges a hesitant student to embrace her own abilities. Starting with a mere dot on a blank page, this story unfolds into a powerful lesson about self-discovery, confidence, and the transformative potential of creativity.</image:title>
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  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/playful-pathways-to-genius-cultivating-smart-kids-through-games</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2025-02-05</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1690999057094-46AEOB3KMBQ89TTM7VD3/image-asset.jpeg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Playful Pathways to Genius: Cultivating Smart Kids Through Games - Playing games help children develop social skills such as: following rules, taking turns, and graceful winning or losing. A family game night provides an opportunity for children to bond with siblings, parents, and other family members. Games can promote tradition building and establish a fun routine. (learn more about this in a previous post Witching Hour) Card and board games offer screen-free fun. With the prevalence of technology at both home and school, it is nice to take a break to unplug and enjoy family time. (5 reasons kids need time away from technology)</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/e4eed754-da70-4afb-bd9b-0a3352075569/brain-4260689_1280.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Playful Pathways to Genius: Cultivating Smart Kids Through Games - Playing games with your children is a fantastic and accessible way to nurture their social skills, promote family bonding, establish fun traditions, and provide a much-needed break from technology. Beyond the joy and entertainment they offer, games also stimulate strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, pattern recognition, mental math, and vocabulary skills, while contributing to improved hand-eye coordination and fine motor abilities. Embrace the power of gameplay as a simple yet effective tool in raising smart, well-rounded kids who can confidently navigate life and reach their full potential.</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1690999262088-9SJVVBTTV12DOL24DZZ7/image-asset.jpeg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Playful Pathways to Genius: Cultivating Smart Kids Through Games</image:title>
      <image:caption>5. Games can help children to think strategically.  They encourage players to analyze situations and develop a plan. 6. Engaging in family gameplay nurtures creative problem-solving skills, encouraging children to tackle challenges head-on. Through these games, kids learn to focus their energies on finding solutions to overcome obstacles, ultimately helping them develop the ability to achieve their goals effectively 7. Many games encourage players to work on pattern recognition - an extremely important foundational skill. Learn more about it here.</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Playful Pathways to Genius: Cultivating Smart Kids Through Games - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1690999504794-NKM1GO43ROUBP3E17WXZ/image-asset.jpeg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Playful Pathways to Genius: Cultivating Smart Kids Through Games</image:title>
      <image:caption>8. Some games promote basic mental math skills, like quickly adding and subtracting.  Check out my favorite math games. 9. Games can improve or increase children's vocabulary. 10. Rolling dice, shuffling cards, and moving game pieces develop children’s hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.</image:caption>
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  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/creative-first-day-of-school-get-to-know-you-activites</loc>
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    <lastmod>2023-07-31</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/a3829c7e-6458-45b6-839f-99e6b975489a/Screenshot+2023-07-29+6.10.52+PM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Creative Back to School Get to Know You Activities - Get the most out of your students by implementing these simple strategies to improve mastery of your math standards.</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/a8feb7d7-4cab-492f-b8bc-ed45da9668df/Back+to+School+Get+to+Know+You+Activites.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Creative Back to School Get to Know You Activities - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
    </image:image>
  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/100-fun-family-summer-activities-that-wont-break-the-bank</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-05-31</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/9a33e748-5e9f-48f4-906a-e2ad215f8046/100+.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 100 Fun Family Summer Activities - That Won’t Break the Bank - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
    </image:image>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/6b7dc079-8a81-4f30-8193-6e4511222aad/Screenshot+2023-05-31+6.54.48+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 100 Fun Family Summer Activities - That Won’t Break the Bank - Making the list, I realized there was so much to do in our local area! We made a big poster and will check off the activities as we completed them. It is so much fun to plan what activity to do each day and document our summer fun.</image:title>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 100 Fun Family Summer Activities - That Won’t Break the Bank - If you are looking for things to do this summer, I have 100 things to do to keep busy and make memories with your loved ones.</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/47b8dfc8-c3ae-4af2-8431-107ea468aa13/Screenshot+2023-05-31+7.08.54+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 100 Fun Family Summer Activities - That Won’t Break the Bank - Outings - Higher Cost Bowling Chuck E. Cheese Overnight trip Eat at a restaurant Legoland in AZ Mini golf Arcade trip Goodwill - Buy what you can carry Summer secret Santa Puppet theater Laser and Mirror Maze Goldfield Ghost Town Go to a movie/drive in Local amusement park AZ Science Center Phoenix Herpetological Society  Hall of Flame Fire Museum Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve Peter Piper Pizza Local Water Park</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1542f842-ac7d-4513-b695-985f24b7eea6/Screenshot+2023-05-31+7.03.07+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 100 Fun Family Summer Activities - That Won’t Break the Bank - Outings - Low Cost:  Go fishing Burger King Lunch (with a play place) Children’s Museum (we have a membership) Visit a splash pad (usually free) Public pool swimming Visit cousin’s houses Pueblo Grande Museum (Adults $6, Children $3) Railroad Park Walk to dessert Yogurtini Day trip to Jerome, AZ Zoo Day (We have a membership) Drive to a local historical site Museum of Natural History Visit a local humane society Family hike Visit Dad at work for lunch</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/d4f9c392-7bb8-4baf-b793-aeaa33789e19/Screenshot+2023-05-31+6.52.14+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 100 Fun Family Summer Activities - That Won’t Break the Bank - I gathered my older children together and told them we would be creating a wish list of all the things we want to do or accomplish this summer that wouldn’t break the bank. My older boys were really excited about this plan and we sat around our dinner table a few nights later to create our list.</image:title>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/laughing-the-witching-hour-away-with-family-game-nights</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-05-17</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/46e129b4-5a2d-4b89-92ac-5d45a2f4beb7/Aggravation.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Laughing the Witching Hour Away with Family Game Nights - Aggravation: A Game of Strategy and Chance</image:title>
      <image:caption>My husband brought this game to our attention during the pandemic. His mom sent a homemade board to our house and it has become a staple on our dining room table. This game is like a familiar board game where there is a starting off point, a home base, and a lot of friendly competition to send another player back to the start. My own children have mastered the numbers on the dice, counting, and how to get their mom and dad to end up back at start. This game is best for children ages 4 and up.</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Laughing the Witching Hour Away with Family Game Nights - Garbage: A Fast and Inexpensive Card Game</image:title>
      <image:caption>Last summer, we had a family come visit that my children hadn’t met before. While the adults were socialized, the children visiting taught our kids how to play a card game called Garbage. Once they left, my six and eight year old children taught my husband and I how to play and we became obsessed. You can use any deck of cards found at your local dollar store. It teaches children place value, number comparison, and counting in an exciting way. How to play Garbage</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/f6c5df39-655e-4f21-9f73-5ee37d076f48/Laughing+the+Witching+Hour+Away.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Laughing the Witching Hour Away with Family Game Nights - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/4091a4e8-0f47-44f9-a99f-10533e735a14/2.5x2.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Laughing the Witching Hour Away with Family Game Nights - Ten Fish: A Math Twist on a Familiar Game</image:title>
      <image:caption>This game is very popular with all my kids.  Our four-year-old loves making tens and getting the opportunity to take her brother’s cards. In this game, you have cards numbered 0 - 10  with that number of fish in a ten frame. Your goal is to combine 2 or more cards to make ten. You get to ask one another for a specific card and grab a card from the pool of fish in the center of the playing space if your request is unmet. This game is best for children ages 4 and up.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/e0366b61-94e6-4f2b-8259-d87d9c73dde2/Concentration+with+Ten+Fish.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Laughing the Witching Hour Away with Family Game Nights - Memory: An Oldie for All Ages</image:title>
      <image:caption>This game, often called Concentration, is one I remember playing with my mom. It builds a child’s attention level, recall skills, and reading skills. There are many variations of this game. We have played versions including decks of cards, Disney princess-themed cards, Alphabet cards I have printed out, and homemade cards my children have created. Memory is always a home run that kids can play without you once they learn the rules and have built their attention level to play unsupervised. This game is best for children ages 3 and up. (We’ve played with our two-year-old but have the cards all facing up to make it easier to master) Free Printable Memory Game Cards</image:caption>
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  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/only-you-can-prevent-summer-slide</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-05-16</lastmod>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Slip into Summer Without the Slide! - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Doing arts and crafts promotes fine motor skills, encourages creativity and imagination, provides opportunities for self-expression, and builds confidence in children. Consider incorporating daily arts and crafts into your summer routine and keep their minds and hands active. To keep things fresh and exciting, try picking weekly themes. A "Cool Treats" theme could focus on popsicle and ice cream projects made with markers, construction paper, and glue.  With a “Fourth of July" theme, colorful fireworks could be made with paper towel rolls and paint. Let your kids go to the beach with a “Seashells" theme and design mosaics with sand and seashells found at your local discount store. Add to the theme by finding books that match your weekly themes and using them as inspiration for your crafts. This is a great way to encourage reading and connect literature and the real world. Math skills such as measuring can also be incorporated into arts and crafts activities. For example, measuring and cutting out shapes for a collage or using a ruler to draw straight lines for a painting can help children practice their math skills while being creative. If you're feeling stuck for ideas, plenty of templates and inspiration can be found on the internet and on platforms like Pinterest. But don't be afraid to get creative and develop your original ideas too! Here are 18 fun and easy summer crafts for kids from We Are Teachers.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/f6419d82-bb41-4035-90cd-0c76b8694a42/cooks.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Slip into Summer Without the Slide! - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Look no further than your very own kitchen for a fun and delicious activity! The kitchen is a great place to spend quality family time and the perfect spot to sneak in some critical math and reading practice. Next time you're whipping up a batch of cookies or preparing a family dinner, get your little ones involved by having them read the recipe, measure ingredients, and even practice multiplying and dividing to ensure you're making enough servings for everyone. Don't forget about reading timers and keeping track of cooking times - these are all great opportunities to keep those reading and math skills sharp. And, the best part? You can enjoy a delicious meal or treat together as a family once you're done! Here are some kid-friendly recipes from Hannah Loewentheil.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/158d55f4-79e0-4b31-8075-41ebede74746/games.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Slip into Summer Without the Slide! - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>What would summer be without a few family games that are not only fun but help keep math skills sharp?  Flashcard games, in particular, are a great way to improve computation, fluency, and memorization skills. A few minutes a day can boost confidence and mastery in no time. My favorite games include Ten Fish and Hunch by Absolute Zero. Ten Fish is a fun twist on a familiar game where players age 4-10 practice making groups of ten fish. If their opponent can't supply a requested card, they must fish for it. For kids 10 and up, Hunch is a great game that requires players to use their knowledge of adding and subtracting integers while strategizing how to get the score closest to zero at the end of five rounds. But don't forget about regular board games, which offer plenty of opportunities to strategize and problem-solve, all while having fun with the family. Remember, a family that plays together stays together! Check out all of the games available from Absolute Zero.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/53501d8e-1bb0-4c93-a86a-d99095fdfbb5/slide.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Slip into Summer Without the Slide! - As summer approaches, it's important to remember its impact on children's learning progress. Incorporating these activities into your daily routine can help your children maintain their academic skills and grow their minds during the summer months. So why not try out some of these ideas and enjoy some family fun while preventing the summer slide at the same time? Your kids will thank you for it, and you might enjoy it too!</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/d63e522b-3902-4945-97d8-3bb57166d0c6/books.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Slip into Summer Without the Slide! - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Summer reading prevents the summer slide and plays a critical role in fostering social-emotional development, encouraging a love of stories, and emphasizing the value of lifelong learning.  Words are all around us, and kids have endless opportunities to practice their reading skills throughout the day. Encourage your little ones to read all the environmental print they see, from cereal boxes to restaurant signage to billboards.  Plan a weekly field trip to your local library - summer is the perfect time to explore new books and find new favorites.  Consider joining summer reading challenges, whether it's through your local library or an online program. This is a great way to keep kids motivated and engaged in reading all summer. Don't forget about the power of reading aloud! Make it a family affair by taking turns reading a chapter each night before bed. And, if you've got kids who say they don't like to read, try letting them listen to audiobooks instead. One of my favorite free apps is called Libby, which allows you to connect your local library card and enjoy thousands of audiobooks at no charge. There's something for everyone (even mom and dad after the kids go to bed)! Why you should make summer reading a priority from Scholastic.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/5becf615-17d2-4dfe-84b9-15c188633c4d/outdoors.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Slip into Summer Without the Slide! - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Adventure awaits right outside your door.  Spending time in nature is a great way to stay active and healthy but also a great opportunity to learn and grow. Consider starting a small garden with your kids, where they can learn about planting, watering, and caring for plants. Take a hike or explore local trails, parks, and preserves to learn about the natural environment around you. And why not try a backyard camp out for a night under the stars? There are endless opportunities to explore and learn in nature. The learning doesn't have to stop when you come back inside! Encourage your little ones to journal their experiences, whether by observing their garden's growth, making lists for scavenger hunts on your hikes, or reflective journaling about their backyard camp out. This will keep their reading and writing skills sharp and help them reflect on and remember their outdoor adventures for years to come. 15 best plants for kids that are easy and safe to grow from our friends at Country Living.</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Slip into Summer Without the Slide! - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/getting-kids-talking-about-math-with-concensus-boards</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-03-29</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/e92f839b-5a72-41a5-9938-423c74f30180/consensus+boards+in+math+classroom</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Getting Kids Talking About Math with Concensus Boards - So, what are consensus boards?</image:title>
      <image:caption>In my classroom, consensus boards are a 2ft x 2ft whiteboard that 2 - 4 students share.  You can purchase white shower board from a local home improvement store and ask them to cut it to size for free since you are a teacher and they are for your classroom.  I have seen other classrooms where students write directly on the desks or tables with dry-erase markers.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/7dacf3e0-7358-499a-b1e3-ac6f39d621eb/Consensus+boards+in+math</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Getting Kids Talking About Math with Concensus Boards - Using consensus boards in my classroom has proven to be a much better way to get students engaged in the practice and discussion of mathematics.  In the past, when asked to do the independent practice that accompanied my curriculum, engagement was very low.  Now, students are up, talking, and thinking, together!</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/dc2df93e-de57-4442-8308-51f3f1dc3b31/Screenshot+2023-03-27+8.09.02+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Getting Kids Talking About Math with Concensus Boards - Using consensus boards allows my students to engage in most of the  Mathematical Practice Standards my state has adopted through a version of the Common Core State Standards. One of the practices being “constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others.”</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/6d0ed8a3-4612-4e23-b64b-4055a9984b2a/IMG_5436.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Getting Kids Talking About Math with Concensus Boards - 4. Once most students have finished, they are instructed to take turns sharing answers and how they arrived at their answer within their group. Encourage them to ask questions of each other. *While this discussion is taking place, walk around, eavesdropping and asking students to clarify a step or their thinking if you feel it would benefit the others in the group. 5. Once everyone has shared, the group agrees to one correct answer.  The determined consensus maker writes the group’s answer in the central section of the board. *Pro Tip: assign the consensus maker by the color of their marker,  e.g. the student with the green marker helps facilitate the discussion and writes the consensus in the center of the board.</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/aa0e4c64-c32e-4817-9e6b-6f3cc76a1c06/Consensus+Boards+-+Blog+banner.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Getting Kids Talking About Math with Concensus Boards - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/24eed7cb-88aa-46c1-a619-77bf229da850/consensus+boards+in+math+classroom</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Getting Kids Talking About Math with Concensus Boards - Here’s how it works: 1. The board is divided into 3- 5 sections - one section for each individual student’s work and a center section for the answer the group agrees to be correct (the consensus answer). 2. Each student has their own dry erase marker, preferably each a different color. 3. The students are given a challenging problem to work on independently for several minutes.</image:title>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/t4inlapusfjslo7my97axc5mzwacbt</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2022-10-23</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/8c33fb72-5a3a-4aec-9c56-95a96c95cc5f/Screenshot+2022-10-18+1.00.09+PM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - AfterMath - After a chapter or unit test, all students have the opportunity to correct their mistakes on the AfterMath form.  First, I need to know the problem number and the original problem.  Having students copy the original problem is important, too many times the error was not correctly or fully reading the problem.</image:title>
      <image:caption>Second, I need to see your work. How did you get to the correct solution?</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/cea7290a-ee39-4954-9d11-32c0ee4177dc/%233+last+5+%281%29.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - AfterMath - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/46884c72-1dd9-4842-bee4-01041b2b0aff/aftermathgrade.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - AfterMath - Asking students to correct the mistakes on the test, didn’t offer the level of remediation I felt was best for my students. Too many kids either got the correct answer from someone else or didn’t effectively reflect on their mistake to ensure that it did not happen again.</image:title>
      <image:caption>Hence the birth of AfterMath</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/e076ae49-583d-4721-aee7-c5d3d68ef95b/AfterMath+for+Blog.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - AfterMath - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/0d64fa5f-a783-4788-b37a-151dda84a368/aftermath+reflection.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - AfterMath - The third and final part of AfterMath is the reflection piece.  I required students to explain what they did wrong on the first attempt and what they did the second time to get the correct answer.  The reflection must be in full, complete sentences.  For example, a student might say “I forgot to consider place value and line my decimals up before adding.  I now know I must line up the decimal points.”  or “ I made a silly math mistake.  5x7=35, not 42 like I wrote on the test.” The AfterMath form is stapled to the original test and both are turned in.</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/c2873b4d-dc30-4605-b620-4704aa362641/aftermath1.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - AfterMath - In order to give my students another chance to understand the math we have recently covered and improve their grades, I give my students the opportunity to correct their mistakes in a very specific format. I quickly learned, in my 20+ year teaching career, that just going over a test with students held very little educational value.  Since the test was over, almost no one was interested or paying attention.</image:title>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-things</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2022-08-31</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1901914a-5462-4b8e-8b87-1fe2094a703b/Screenshot+2022-08-27+9.29.26+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - These Are a Few of My Favorite Things - SolveMe Mobiles</image:title>
      <image:caption>I have been using this website for years and it is still one of my favorites. Teaching algebraic thinking visually by having players balance the mobile offers even young children the opportunity to begin thinking algebraically. By creating a free account, your progress is saved and you are offered increasingly challenging mobiles to balance. 144 puzzles plus additional ones created by community members. Kids can create their own mobiles to increase understanding and add to the community collection of puzzles. Challenge 3rd graders and support middle and high school students with SolveMe Mobiles a fun introduction to algebra.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/ba4faaf4-747d-448c-9472-d0e39f87062f/Screenshot+2022-08-27+11.23.20+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - These Are a Few of My Favorite Things - MathFactsPro.com</image:title>
      <image:caption>Who doesn’t have kids that could benefit from improved fact fluency? I have been using this site for years! Research-based and adaptive, kids complete a set number of math facts and then earn the privilege of playing Mars Defense a fun space-themed game that continues to give students the opportunity to improve their math skills. Although it is only free for 30 days, I am more than willing to pay the $1 per student for access to this great resource for the next 12 months. Math Facts Pro includes reports and tracking to let students and the teacher or parent know what facts the student is still struggling with.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/64b6ed43-9f79-4210-8ba4-c0c24c9d940e/Screenshot+2022-08-27+11.37.21+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - These Are a Few of My Favorite Things - Prime Line</image:title>
      <image:caption>In an effort to improve students’ math proficiency, I create games that support foundational math skills. Like Absolute Zero, Ten Fish, and Hunch, Prime Line is one of those games. The game is free to download, print, and play for parents and classroom teachers. Similar to dominoes or Mexican Train, players add to their own or another line of cards that start with a prime number. But instead of just matching numbers to the same number card. these cards are linked if they are a factor or multiple of each other. The download includes several pregame lessons or activities to help support learners and give them tools to use while playing the game.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/f24b58b5-180b-4167-be08-669645b945f2/Screenshot+2022-08-27+9.17.48+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - These Are a Few of My Favorite Things - 99Math.com</image:title>
      <image:caption>Practicing math is fun and competitive with this great website. My students love it. We even have school-wide competitions to encourage students to master their math facts. Teachers and parents can also use it for mastery of math standards other than just basic facts. From exponents to geometry and so much more, 99math.com is a fantastic free resource for all grade levels.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/23e151db-2f25-4402-8ea7-d9318a3817f1/Screenshot+2022-08-27+9.43.38+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - These Are a Few of My Favorite Things - LetsMod</image:title>
      <image:caption>LetsMod offers students the opportunity to create games, animations, and machines with chips that run on math! These awesome STEM activities are an ideal way to bring creativity and scaffolded challenges into your classroom or home. Fun creativity for all ages.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/math-review</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2021-10-27</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/21aacaa1-feb7-4ea8-87bf-5cf93a9c604f/Matching+2.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - My 3 Favorite Math Review Activities - In a word document, I create a table. One column is the question the other column is the answer. This can be used for math vocabulary with either matching pictures and descriptions (great for graphs or geometry) or problems and solutions. Keeping the table the same size, I create the back of the matching cards. I use letters of the alphabet so that once my students match the cards, they can flip them over to check for accuracy. Here is my latest matching game - reviewing place value - for you to download and use. If you don’t want to have a self-checking matching game, skip the letters on the back and play concentration!</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/02728891-8a3e-4a15-a8e6-41c9703c9d07/Step+1.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - My 3 Favorite Math Review Activities - Scavenger Hunt</image:title>
      <image:caption>Although this may sound like a lot of work or preplanning, after creating your first scavenger hunt it gets easier. I laminate the final product to use year after year. Step 1 To get started, get out as many sheets of paper and note cards as you have questions. The note cards are for the planning - the paper for the final product. Write the question on the bottom with the correct answer on the top. Cut the paper in half, separating the problem from the answer.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/5b4699af-1ab8-423e-b20f-daca3992ff38/image.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - My 3 Favorite Math Review Activities - My Bad</image:title>
      <image:caption>I can usually only pull this off once a year - but it is a big hit! Very engaging. I tell my students “I was preparing the answer key for tomorrow’s test and My husband (or another teacher on campus) told me I had several answers wrong. I need your help. I can’t figure out which ones are correct and which ones I have made a mistake on.” The kids get all excited thinking they are getting to see the test in advance. I let them work with a partner to determine which questions are correct and if they are incorrect - what should the correct answer be? What are some of your favorite review activities?</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/c90a74b6-2f36-4444-9904-acab4a8045fc/Step+3.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - My 3 Favorite Math Review Activities - Step 3</image:title>
      <image:caption>Now keeping these new tops &amp; bottoms together, you should mix up the order of the cards. Then add letters to the answers (see example).</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/a6737637-70ca-4f3b-8e1d-ffcf7704572d/answers.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - My 3 Favorite Math Review Activities - Step 4</image:title>
      <image:caption>Create an answer key. Double-check that all questions have a correct answer and you end up where you started, after visiting all the problems. No matter where a student starts, the order of letters will remain the same, allowing you to check for accuracy. The example to the right is if the student starts on the first card (with a letter A) but if a student started on the 3rd card with a letter C the order of their letters would be D, B, A, C, E. I write these on full sheets of colorful paper posted around the room. Laminating is nice so they will last many years. Students can start on any paper - solving the problem at the bottom and looking around the room for the corresponding answer - writing down the letter next to the corresponding answer and then solving the problem on the bottom of that paper.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/96874e28-04f6-454f-b424-166043fc1647/Matching+1.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - My 3 Favorite Math Review Activities - Matching Game</image:title>
      <image:caption>Quick and easy to make. Use year after year.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/e09b7971-2414-474e-9b28-620b73dec32a/fun.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - My 3 Favorite Math Review Activities - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/8d927027-7a17-41d4-aea4-1b2e0b0a069b/Step+2.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - My 3 Favorite Math Review Activities - Step 2</image:title>
      <image:caption>Shift the answer one to the right with the last answer moving to the first problem.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
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    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-08-12</lastmod>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Back to School Activity - Even if school has already started for you - this activity can be used anytime in the first few weeks to help build a positive teacher-student relationship and have a positive impact on student achievement.</image:title>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Back to School Activity - Hear me out…</image:title>
      <image:caption>You can have your students create and personalize their name tents (here is one teacher's directions to her class). The inside of the name tent will be used for the students to answer a daily prompt from you and you in turn will respond to each one.</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Back to School Activity - Boost student achievement and test scores by implementing these strategies. It worked for me so it can work for you and your students too! Betsy</image:title>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Back to School Activity</image:title>
      <image:caption>Knowing a little bit about your students and having their names down pat ASAP is not just a best practice, it is scientifically proven to increase student achievement!</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Back to School Activity - According to Hattie’s research, a positive teacher-student relationship has an effect size of 0.52. Well above the hinge point of 0.4. So, taking the time early on to get to know your students and develop a positive relationship will really pay off!</image:title>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Back to School Activity - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Back to School Activity - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>The inside of the name tent can be divided into the days of the week with a space for student and teacher responses.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/the-first-day-of-math-class-UQaAp</loc>
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    <lastmod>2023-08-11</lastmod>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - What to Do on the First Day of Math Class - My high school algebra teacher, Mr. Jensen, who became a mentor once I started teaching, said something to me years ago that I will never forget, “Do something on the first day of math class that they have never seen before.”</image:title>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - What to Do on the First Day of Math Class - Make it stand out</image:title>
      <image:caption>Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/middle-school-math-and-literature</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2021-06-23</lastmod>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Middle School Math and Literature - I am also a BIG fan of the Sir Cumference series. There are now 9 books in this series, all do a good job introducing and explaining geometry terms and principles. The first one, Sir Cumference and the First Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander, remains at the top of my list. Previous to reading this story, many of my students mixed up the diameter and radius of a circle. After reading the book, we decided that since Lady Di was taller than her son Radius, the diameter of a circle was longer than the radius.</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1621716436385-O5WFAUL3YN7OLL06GS3S/Screenshot+2021-05-22+1.47.01+PM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Middle School Math and Literature - My favorite math story for middle school students is The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger. Originally published in German, this story is about a boy named Robert who suffers from math anxiety.  His anxiety manifests in his dreams as he sleeps.  Over the course of twelve dreams, the Number Devil teaches Robert mathematical principles.  Robert is then able to use his newfound math skills and confidence in school.</image:title>
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  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/harness-the-power-of-yet</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-09-06</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1621524756924-WPHAL6FAZW3JQUHAK3FM/Karen+Brow+YET.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Harness the Power of YET - First, praise the effort, not the product.  When the product is praised the perfectionist’s need to create perfection is being reinforced.  Excellence is the goal not perfection.  Praising the effort allows the learner to see that it is not about the product but rather it is about the effort that one puts into the task.  For example, think about that vocabulary quiz your child brought home.  The score earned was 23/25, a very commendable effort.  Was your comment, Great job; you worked hard on those words! Or What happened when we studied those two?  Without intent the second response tells the learner that anything less than perfect is unacceptable. Learners must learn how to separate their self worth from the product that they create.</image:title>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Harness the Power of YET - Do you feel it, that sense of purpose and confidence?  It came from that little word.  You see, “yet” says it may not be happening now, but it is going to happen.  It gives you encouragement and permission to keep trying!  Build a Yet Board, every house and classroom need one.  It can be on the back of a door, on the bulletin board, or even on a bathroom mirror.  A “Yet” board has a stickie note sharing one thing that you cannot do well but are working on.  What will your Yet Board stickie note say?  Remember the goal is not perfection, it is improvement!</image:title>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Harness the Power of YET - Excellence rarely happens in high leaps rather it is achieved as the result of step-by-step incremental improvement. A key factor to success is the ability to persevere in the face of obstacles. Perhaps the most valuable lesson to be learned though is that failure can be constructive.</image:title>
      <image:caption>Celebrate all that life has to offer, mistakes and successes! Let your child see the world in ways that others can only imagine. Supporting them in learning how to navigate the challenges that they face does not mean removing the obstacle rather it means teaching them to see it for what it really is a chance to grow! It’s all about the “Yet”!</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1621525300806-QQFGFOT2MFY0EDJXW43B/YET+possible.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Harness the Power of YET - Third, add a three-letter word to your vocabulary. One little word, three letters but the impact it has is explosive!  What is the word you ask, Yet!  It does not sound amazing or exceptional until you connect it with a task.  So, give it a try, think of something that you are trying to learn, maybe something that you are struggling with, NOW add that little word. I cannot play the piano well, YET!   My writing is not stellar, YET!    Or as a young learner, I am not good at multiplication, YET!   I can’t ride without training wheels, YET!</image:title>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Harness the Power of YET - Each time I write or voice those words I can feel parents’ cringe.  Failure has become such a negative that students and parents will often do anything to prevent it from happening. Mistakes are part of the learning process.  They are to be celebrated rather than avoided.  Albert Einstein said, “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” As a parent it is difficult to watch your child struggle. At times, the desire is to pave the path to make things easier.  This desire works against a child preventing them from learning the valuable lesson of persistence. Establishing a growth mindset allows a learner to engage in productive struggle, an essential component in the learning process (Dweck 2016).</image:title>
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  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/everyone-can-learn-math</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-06-15</lastmod>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Everyone Can Learn Math - I stumbled across Alice Aspinall and her story for children Everyone Can Learn Math. I got myself a copy and LOVED it!</image:title>
      <image:caption>In this story, the main character, Amy, is struggling with her math homework. She is frustrated and wants to give up. A series of events happen and Amy soon realizes that in other areas of her life new tasks require some trial and error and continued practice to master - math isn’t any different.</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Everyone Can Learn Math - First - a quick back story. The ideas of a mathematical mindset and growth mindset have transformed math education for many. One of the leaders in this ideology that mathematicians are made and not born - there is no math gene - is Jo Boaler. Most educators have at least heard of Jo and her book Mathematical Mindsets. I am a huge fan and love sharing with teachers and parents Dr. Boaler’s ideas to unleash students’ potential through creative math, inspiring messages, and innovative teaching.</image:title>
      <image:caption>That is why I am so excited to share with you a new author with books about developing a math mindset for kids!</image:caption>
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  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/math-amp-literature</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-09-06</lastmod>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Math &amp;amp; Literature - I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. I was lucky to grow up in a house full of books and readers. Some of my earliest memories are of my mother reading us a bedtime story. And I’m proud to say I have passed that love of reading and learning on to my children.</image:title>
      <image:caption>My mom, Gini Pettigrew, reading a bed time story to my brother Scott and me 1968.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/house-rules</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-05-23</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1618764035787-FIXVE0YLMQPEXXIA9GVU/hand-4249401_1920.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - House Rules - Hopefully, you now feel motivated to play a new game and feel free to break the rules and make it your own with house rules.</image:title>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - House Rules</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1618763773207-ZF3ZZQYIKM2664SNUPHG/ask-2341784_1920.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - House Rules - You now have permission to break (or at least change) some rules when playing games.</image:title>
      <image:caption>I highly recommend asking your kids after playing a game, “What rules would you like to change or add?  Why?”  The why is important and opens up many avenues for discussion. These discussions improve communication skills and logical reasoning.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1618763326503-QLAEE2MNBIK95U0JDPIV/tic-tac-toe-1777859_1920.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - House Rules - Before playing a game for the first time, and maybe for the first few times, it is a good idea to read and follow the rules. In our family, my daughter is the rule reader. In most cases, the creator of the game has put a lot of thought into the rules. They have been tried and tested and support the objective of the games.</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1618763499717-VYK8PEEBJO52J1Z8PJGI/house-of-cards-719701_1920.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - House Rules - House rules are unofficial modifications to official game rules adopted by individual groups of players. House rules may include the removal or alteration of existing rules or the addition of new rules.</image:title>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/teaching-integers-with-math-games</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-08-16</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1617736106727-MRLRLS1SCLUGZRIWR5GM/blog+absolute+zero+vs.+%282%29.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Teaching Integers with Math Games</image:title>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Teaching Integers with Math Games</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1617722810007-8OORVE1RKKYD0XRFJ2H7/jr+%281%29.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Teaching Integers with Math Games</image:title>
      <image:caption>I went home and thought about her request.  I reflected on how I introduced integers to my students with the use of integer chips representing positive and negative numbers.  I also thought back to how elementary students are taught subitizing, the ability to immediately recognize how many are in a small group, and making ten with the use of ten frames.  This led me to create Absolute Zero Junior that represents each number in a ten frame with red negative chips or black positive chips.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/10-reasons-for-ten-frames-with-toddlers-and-early-elementary</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-08-17</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1616086061538-UYMFK1TFLQDFCBVE4AFH/IMG_1338.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 10 Reasons for Ten Frames with Toddlers and Early Elementary</image:title>
      <image:caption>5. Using ten frames offers visual support for early addition.  If I show a student a ten frame with 6 counters in it and ask “how many more are needed to make ten?”  a student with subitizing skills can quickly see that four more are needed to make ten.  If a child cannot yet subitize, they can count the empty squares to arrive at the correct answer.</image:caption>
    </image:image>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1616085112805-TM0CZOUMBSNWFEZ9QJGL/Screenshot+2021-03-18+at+9.31.29+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 10 Reasons for Ten Frames with Toddlers and Early Elementary</image:title>
      <image:caption>3. A fancy math term educators use is subitizing. Subitizing is being able to instantly tell you ‘how many’ something is without counting. For example, a child who can subitize can roll a dice and tell you what they rolled without counting every dot. Like number sense, this skill is developed over time by practicing it using games and ten frames</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1616086940745-5RPODSCEYCCIEMGNYYNE/Teddy+Bear+ten+frame.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 10 Reasons for Ten Frames with Toddlers and Early Elementary</image:title>
      <image:caption>9. Ten frames don’t have to come from a worksheet. Ten frames are adaptive and versatile; you can draw them outside with sidewalk chalk, use masking tape on the floor, or cut down an egg carton. Offering a variety of different ways for kids to see and play with numbers only increases their chances for success in later years.</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 10 Reasons for Ten Frames with Toddlers and Early Elementary -  Unveil the Splashy Excitement: Explore Deeper into the 'Ten Fish' Game!</image:title>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1616085375271-KSMSJT6YZFRONI2XQ0O8/Screenshot+2021-03-18+at+9.35.54+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 10 Reasons for Ten Frames with Toddlers and Early Elementary</image:title>
      <image:caption>4. Ten frames help kids with decomposing and composing numbers. Decomposing and composing means being able to break apart numbers and then put them back together. Other people might call this "part, part, whole,” or the understanding that you have a whole amount and you can break it into its parts. The ability to compose and decompose numbers makes math problems easier to manipulate and solve by breaking them into manageable parts to better view their relationships.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1616087150694-TI6TDO8WG00DGEKRA5DV/image3.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 10 Reasons for Ten Frames with Toddlers and Early Elementary</image:title>
      <image:caption>Ten frames can be fun. Playing games is one of the best ways to learning about and practice new topics! Games like Ten Fish offer families an opportunity to unplug and play together. Each card in the Ten Fish deck includes a ten frame to support young learners. Older children and even adults have fun collecting cards to make tens. Playing games to improve math skills reduces math anxiety and reinforces to kids that learning is fun.</image:caption>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1616084733179-82KJLGAYQF18HLGIK22R/Screenshot+2021-03-18+at+9.19.54+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 10 Reasons for Ten Frames with Toddlers and Early Elementary</image:title>
      <image:caption>Ten Frames offer early exposure to our base-ten number system. Since a ten frame is a two-by-five rectangular frame into which counters or other objects are placed to demonstrate numbers less than or equal to 10, young learners get the chance to see, feel, and play with ten.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/hunch-having-fun-with-integers</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-08-19</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1615310518161-RIJYX53EV5X72T5G1OZD/Hunch+blog.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Hunch - Having Fun With Integers!</image:title>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1615311424504-C71RX4HV8QJYXONN0FFL/hunch%2Bpic%2B%25281%2529.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Hunch - Having Fun With Integers!</image:title>
      <image:caption>Hunch allows players to practice this skill of finding the distance between two numbers with the support of a vertical number line and numbers that are easy to manage. A vertical number line is printed on each card, with the value of the card indicated on the number line.   The game begins with players guessing or having a Hunch of what the value of the next card drawn will be.  The deck includes cards from -5 to +5.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/why-ten-fish</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-05-20</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1613505652896-HMPGANORKLIBYTYE0058/ten+frame+use.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Why Ten Fish? - One effective tool to assist children in making tens is the ten frame. Ten frames help learners visualize the smaller numbers inside a larger number. This makes it easier to compose and decompose the number. A ten-frame helps students visually move objects (like fish ) in order to make problems easier to work with.</image:title>
    </image:image>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1613505400644-OY6E48UPPBMN52VEC5ST/Why+Ten+fish_.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Why Ten Fish? - Since we use a base 10 number system, the concept of ten-ness can be thought of as the foundation of place value. When students are able to compose and decompose numbers into tens, they can better manipulate numbers mentally (for example, 6+4=10 and so does 7+3 and 2+3+5).  It does not matter how large or small the number, they can still apply this concept of making ten.  Making tens also aids in the ability to “carry” or “borrow'' when adding or subtracting multi-digit numbers.</image:title>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/absolute-zero-math-card-game</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-05-16</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1611590487021-MZC6SUORKKS78YFRGND4/abzgamehand.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Absolute Zero Math Card Game</image:title>
      <image:caption>Having students (or your own children) share a winning strategy is a valuable part of the learning process.  One way to do this is to create a game situation, like the one pictured here, and ask “if this was your hand, what would you do and why?”  “Would you take the face-up card or the unknown; and what is the reasoning behind your decision?  Based on the card drawn, what would you discard and why?”  It’s amazing the way some kids think!  I always learn something new.</image:caption>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1611589552973-W2ZXFCMVB53IX59M41Z2/Absolute+Zero+Math+Card+Game</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Absolute Zero Math Card Game - My search for a deck of cards that contained both positive and negative numbers turned up nothing. So, with the encouragement of my family, I created my own deck of cards and game - Absolute Zero!</image:title>
      <image:caption>It really was a family affair.  My daughter was my graphic designer, my son helped clarify gameplay and rules, while my husband offered unwavering support and encouragement.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/which-one-doesnt-belong</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2024-04-01</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1605020623434-2717SUY12T3YZPCYV3LP/which+one+doesn%27t+belong+breakfast</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Which One Doesn’t Belong? - Creating your own WODB scenario based on the topic or lessons you are currently teaching is not difficult.</image:title>
      <image:caption>Better yet - have kids create their own and share. WOBD does not always have to be math related. Getting students to think, articulate, and justify that thinking is powerful. These skills will serve them across all disciplines throughout their life.</image:caption>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1605019321215-CCA2BNPV7C80HPLABLTP/Which+one+doesn%27t+belong+math+game</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Which One Doesn’t Belong? - Let’s look at an example. Which one doesn’t belong and why? Take a minute to formulate your response (perhaps even more than one) before moving on.</image:title>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/cea7290a-ee39-4954-9d11-32c0ee4177dc/%233+last+5+%281%29.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Which One Doesn’t Belong? - Have a look at my latest book!</image:title>
      <image:caption>Full of engaging activities for grades 4 - 12.</image:caption>
    </image:image>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1605020042998-KLL923OQ5XSLUZ5KXWMW/Questions+which+one+doesn%27t+belong</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Which One Doesn’t Belong? - Whenever possible, ask for clarification. For example when a student says “43 doesn’t belong because it is not a perfect square. 9, 25, and 16 are perfect squares.”</image:title>
      <image:caption>I might ask; “What do you mean by a perfect square?” “What are some numbers, based on this rule that would belong?” “What numbers would not belong?”</image:caption>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/59a155b9-09d4-40d7-b5c6-296d3b4b85d7/wodb.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Which One Doesn’t Belong? - Remember Sesame Street and the song; One of these things is not like the other, one of these doesn’t belong?  WODB.CA is full of these types of activities. Except there is a catch!  Not just one thing doesn’t belong.  You can justify a number of reasons why each one doesn’t belong.</image:title>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1605021858117-5TY821O1TNF1AM586QFL/pinterest.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Which One Doesn’t Belong? - Check out my Pinterest Board “Which One Doesn’t Belong?”  Follow me on Pinterest to get notified when I discover more great math education resources and ideas.</image:title>
    </image:image>
  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/make-it-frequent</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2021-02-03</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1603808783091-O87H6TKO07FTJFBRGCI0/practice.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Frequent - Thing 4 - Make It Frequent</image:title>
      <image:caption>Speaking of frequency, how often have we as math teachers heard students ask, “When are we ever going to use this?” While some concepts really do not offer a convincing response to this question (I’m thinking of box and whisker plots or scientific notation), the study of integers is one standard students will see the practical application of learning, and we as teachers can explain how and when integers are used in daily life. According to most state standards, including Common Core, the introduction of integers occurs in 6th grade with the mastery of operations with integers occurring in 7th grade. That is not much time to master this very important topic and why it is critical to make sure the practice of integers is frequent in your classroom - not a one and done then move on.</image:caption>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1603810945045-LS64EE35C8STAJZLUIZG/exit+ticket+in+math</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Frequent</image:title>
      <image:caption>2. Exit tickets are a fantastic formative assessment I use all of the time! Usually, having students write on scratch paper I keep in a tub that I have collected from discards in the copy room. I’ll write one to three problems that I want them to answer or solve before leaving class - I collect the papers as students exit the classroom. Many times the questions are over a recently taught topic to see who still needs more time for mastery on our current lesson. But, since integers are such an important part of 6th and 7th grade, I also have at least one integer problem for my students. I can quickly sort through the exit tickets determining who I need to touch base with to clear up any misconceptions, who needs more practice, or who is ready to move on.</image:caption>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1603811265441-OJEQ2ZOMPRZ8BTSGJCMM/integer+quiz</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Frequent</image:title>
      <image:caption>3. Another frequency strategy is to include integer problems on every test or quiz. By including a few integer questions on every assessment, I am sending the message to my students that this is an important skill to master and just because it is not directly related to the current topic we are studying, it is not going to go away and they are responsible for remembering all that we have learned. Math like many subjects, including reading, is cumulative. It is critical to retain the lessons learned from past weeks and past years. My students know they do NOT have permission to forget anything we have learned.</image:caption>
    </image:image>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1604005137802-T1YJ23DTSWQWLPWJI3P5/Integer+Alphabet</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Frequent</image:title>
      <image:caption>5. The final example of how to make interactions with integers a frequent occurrence in your classroom is using my Integer Alphabet. I have assigned an integer value to every letter of the alphabet. This is posted as a number path above my whiteboard at the front of the classroom. At the drop of a hat students can find the “value” of any word.</image:caption>
    </image:image>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1603810749795-D583VN0NDFWKLEDM4S75/integer+pracitce+frequency</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Frequent</image:title>
      <image:caption>4. As often as I can, at least a few times a week, while meeting and greeting my students as they enter my classroom, I prepare some flashcards or questions they have to answer before entering. If they get the answer wrong - to the end of the line they go and try again. This is another quick formative assessment that helps me determine who still needs more time / help mastering a specific skill - in this case integers.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1603810143632-NKINXK2SZXLSUESW0TCN/integer+math+warm-up</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Frequent - 5 Ways to increase the frequency of integer practice in your classroom.</image:title>
      <image:caption>One of my favorite ways to incorporate frequency into my lessons is to begin each class with a few warm-up problems. This warm-up applies to recent homework (or it could be an extension or review problem). I look through the problems in the textbook that I didn’t assign, or perhaps even a problem that was assigned (if I knew it might be one students would struggle with). One of these warm-up problems involves integers. I use my ExciteMint strategy to increase student involvement. (more on this strategy in an upcoming post).</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/make-it-fun</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-04-24</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1603732886034-1J76E3175OORHP1I9GLY/Girls+just+want+to+have+fun</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make it Fun! - As Cydni Lauper says “ Girls just Want to Have Fun”, but honestly, who doesn’t want to have fun? I have found that by making my classroom (or the kitchen table for my own children) a fun and welcoming place, students look forward to class and are more receptive to the lessons and learning I plan for them. Although it is not all fun and games in math class, I try to incorporate as many engaging activities as possible. It has been shown that “games may help educators make math meaningful and may motivate learners to get involved and participate actively in the learning activities in the context” (Demirbilek &amp; Tamer, 2010).</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1603746491883-R0QN053FEQWILW4GJ9H0/Absolute+Zero+Math+Card+Game</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make it Fun! - The Debrief</image:title>
      <image:caption>It used to be said that we learn by doing; now we know learning comes from thinking about what we do. There have been recent research studies showing us that metacognition, or the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes, is an important factor in student achievement (Schwartz, 2016). Therefore, I feel it is very important to have students share strategies after game play. This can be done verbally or in writing. I often have students make a poster “How to win at ... (fill in game name here)”. This allows students to verbalize not only game rules but strategies for playing to win. Another idea is to create game situations and ask students what they would do and why. In Absolute Zero I create situations like the one pictured here. ”You are playing a 5 card hand of Absolute Zero, this is your hand and it’s your turn - what do you do? Give students time to think, discuss, and share. These game situations also make good Number Talks!</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1603733587984-396JKYOA5G3Z9FJIWRNH/math+card+games</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make it Fun! - Technology can be a wonderful way to incorporate this motivation as it offers many fun and interactive ways to learn, but I feel there is something to be said for students learning to play games together. Math-related card games are one of the game types my students enjoy learning together the most. One of the best card games I know to review and reinforce integer skills with my students is Integer War. In the early years, I would collect old decks of playing cards and bring them to school. Two students would each flip over a card and the first student to say the correct sum (for addition war) or product ( for multiplication war) won the two cards. The player with the most cards at the end won. I have the entire class playing at the same time. Winners collect a ticket from me after each round - the person with the most tickets at the end of the period wins a small prize. I try to match winners up with winners and non-winners up with non-winners after each round to have students of similar abilities playing each other. It gets a bit noisy, but kids have fun and practice integer facts. At my suggestion, many students would go home and play with family members. They loved beating mom, dad, or an older sibling. I even have students in my room before school and at lunch to play Integer War for fun! Playing Integer War rules are straightforward with red cards representing negative numbers and black cards positive. Of course, if we want to practice with numbers higher than 10, students have to remember that J’s are 11, Q’s are 12, and K’s are 13 (as well as Ace’s having a value of one). This is bit much while trying to remember integer rules and be quick!</image:title>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1603733693256-EHCFC139KRGCLK6LSE08/Absolute+Zero+Math+Card+Game</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make it Fun! - So, I created my own deck of integer cards and a signature game.</image:title>
      <image:caption>As a math specialist, I had the opportunity to visit many different grade levels and assist teachers. This is when it became clear that middle school students need more practice with the concept of negative numbers, what absolute value is, and that opposites, when combined, equal zero. Hence the birth of Absolute Zero. In this game, the first person with nothing (zero) wins. There are several variations to the game that change the difficulty level and strategy needed to successfully play. Directions for all the games that can be played with the Absolute Zero deck of cards are included with the deck.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/4-reasons-why-kids-should-explore-math-and-art</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-05-04</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1598826980770-QUOE9KP39TSRXBZ8CI6J/math+blog+pic.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 4 Reasons Why Kids Should Explore Math &amp;amp; Art. - 3. Improved math scores!  Art improves spatial reasoning.  Improved spatial reasoning has been shown to increase math scores, especially in girls!.  There are several bodies of research showing that through art, especially projects that focus on perspective and other spatial skills, all students can improve their performance on standardized math tests.  Girls seem to benefit most, maybe because their spatial skills tend not to be as developed as their male counterparts.  Luckily spatial reasoning is not a fixed ability and can be improved with practice and art!</image:title>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1598826118230-ZX2FXUSLRULC4ZQIL6TY/math%26art+blog+banner.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 4 Reasons Why Kids Should Explore Math &amp;amp; Art.</image:title>
    </image:image>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1598827415286-SFMTUJ26EP92M8ZT7ABY/nature+blog.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - 4 Reasons Why Kids Should Explore Math &amp;amp; Art. - 4. Nature! Studying math and art reveals interesting facts about nature.  In nature, math, and art we see the Fibonacci Sequence, Fractals, geometric shapes, and concentric circles, just for starters.  Tying these wonders together and showing our children how disciplines like math, art, and science do not live in silos but are intertwined demonstrates the importance of being a well-rounded student.</image:title>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/make-it-visual</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-04-24</lastmod>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600789927374-SCP4KFZ28Z33HNXA5MBB/eye-1132531_1920.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Visual - Thing Two - Make It Visual</image:title>
      <image:caption>One of the keys to being able to effectively process and strategically think mathematically is the ability to visualize any given problem either mentally or through the use of tools.</image:caption>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600810147361-PVRZZWJUQ68IBIJMRI73/banner-928210_1920.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Visual</image:title>
      <image:caption>Do you remember the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? Make it Visual!</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600810676755-FGIZO3QGF4EWT2GLVYS0/Screenshot+2020-09-22+at+2.37.23+PM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Visual - One of My Favorite Activities</image:title>
      <image:caption>to introduce the concept of integers is Draw Me A Story. I usually start by showing my students the picture I drew of my son high on a cliff above the ocean. The picture includes a vertical number line. I ask questions like:  ● If Tommy jumped off the cliff and went 20 ft under the water how far did he travel?  ● How far below the boat is the whale?  ● What is the distance between the octopus and the airplane?</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1617722810007-8OORVE1RKKYD0XRFJ2H7/jr+%281%29.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Visual - With ten frames and integer chips on every card, Absolute Zero Junior makes math visual for players!</image:title>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600811556441-KRO814ZYE8G73KJDC7AT/money-2740408_1920.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Visual - Early in my career, I did not have access to manipulatives so for this activity I used pennies. Heads were positive and tails were negative.</image:title>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600812107809-1UW3X6Z43P4C3H4YQUWY/AZCharacter+Poses+082720-05.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Visual - Whether you use the strategies I have suggested here or have some of your own, making math visual for learners is critical for effective processing and strategic thinking.</image:title>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600810963989-UY2PASNP9LLFMF5JXA3Y/dive-4698225_1920.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Visual</image:title>
      <image:caption>Next,  my students think of a situation they could draw that would represent both positive and negative numbers. I let them brainstorm with a partner or small group. Students draw their pictures (remembering to include a number line) and create a few questions to accompany them. These are posted around the room. The class does a gallery walk, answering each other’s Draw Me A Story questions. An extension activity would be to have students use post-it notes to add questions to the other team’s picture. (Some scenarios my students have drawn: swimming pool with different levels of diving boards, a tree fort with escape tunnels underground, a jungle with animals above and below ground, a marathon race with zero as the starting line and people at different stages - including behind the line - the situations are endless!)</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600811234903-96NGHSGLQ9S55438888S/Screenshot+2020-09-22+at+2.46.56+PM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Visual</image:title>
      <image:caption>Another way that we as educators can help students “see” integers is to use two-color counters. Two-color counters can be used to model all 4 operations. Here is a good video showing how to use two-color counters with subtraction. There are many more videos out there so look around. I also show my students how to model integer problems by drawing pluses (+) and minuses (-) to represent the two-color counters. This is important for students that needed visual assistance when counters aren’t available.</image:caption>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/4-things-to-do-when-teaching-integers-part-one</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-04-23</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600374486995-TMQY8W3LSS9AM6N4XISG/man-379800_1920.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Real! - No More Naked Problems!</image:title>
      <image:caption>It is imperative to understand that keeping it real requires us as educators to apply the first mathematical practice: “Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.” If this is the FIRST mathematical practice, I often wonder why so many teachers and textbooks give naked problems like -5 + 8. What is there to make sense of? How is this Real? What context or visual clues do I have to assist me in my sense-making and motivate me to persevere when there is no outside information or clues for me to follow? Therefore, I would like to propose that we no longer give our students naked problems - instead, we offer everything in context and relate math concepts in a “real” way. If we give the students information that demonstrates how the concept is founded in reality, we will have provided a way to make story problems no longer dreaded, but rather enjoyed and welcomed as word problems will be the norm.</image:caption>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600375707370-P117MDBLVKWY0CFCHCHQ/alive-460875_1920.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Real!</image:title>
      <image:caption>Making it real is imperative no matter the math topic.  How can we expect our children to make sense of a problem and persevere in solving it if the problem is not in context?  What motivation is there to learn anything if we can’t see how it applies to us?</image:caption>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600373994298-YCCD9FQJCBM6DIHMFRSS/image-asset.jpeg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Real! - Thing One - Make it Real</image:title>
      <image:caption>Everyone wants to have an authentic learning experience. In an educational setting, whether at home or school, children can find great value in relating mathematical concepts to real-world problems or situations and persevere in solving them. With this in mind, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics issued position statements “emphasizing that students should have opportunities for solving problems that resemble those encountered in real-life settings.” Children also discover higher levels of importance in lessons that have an element of relevance (“realness”) to their lives or can see how that concept will fit in with learning they are experiencing now or in the near future (Brundiers, Wiek, &amp; Redman, 2010). Providing our children with experiences working with real-life situations that involve both positive and negative numbers is vital to their learning and retaining information regarding these math concepts.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600374939451-DPWP5672REPIQZ0GQ6HV/dog-5354519_1920.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Real! - Bad to the Bone</image:title>
      <image:caption>Following this idea of real-world uses for integers, one excellent idea is to introduce the concept of debits and credits as they pertain to allowances. Jeff and Diana Gregg have written an article in the NCTM journal allowing students and their families to track the completion of chores. If a child completes his chore in a timely manner, a credit is given. If the chore is not completed or done late, a debit is given. The child’s allowance is calculated based on the number of debits and credits earned at the end of the week. I liked this idea but thought that instead of chores that use the debit and credit ideas, I would create a chart using positive and negative behaviors for debits and credits to be tracked. This chart can be used at home or even in a classroom setting (with a little modification).</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1600375192440-26IKPOWCWNGVJE1KLLGA/Screenshot+2020-09-17+at+1.39.18+PM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Make It Real!</image:title>
    </image:image>
  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/why-vertical-number-lines-are-important</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-04-22</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1599779604129-JO9M9E216AVDQGOTN3IE/Hunch+Math+Card+Game</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Impacting Young Learners With Vertical Number Lines - Hunch</image:title>
      <image:caption>I feel so strongly that vertical numbers help students understand integers, I have a vertical number line printed on every Hunch card!</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1598634850053-U8G3XBR0NCKEBK9EJ8YE/Why+Vertical+Numbers+Lines+Are+Important.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Impacting Young Learners With Vertical Number Lines</image:title>
    </image:image>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1598635169800-2KWAR9JPTP2ODAR96AJC/thermometer-934646_1280.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Impacting Young Learners With Vertical Number Lines - After my discovery of the Cyberchase episode “Less Than Zero” (read more about that here), my 5-year-old son and I started playing the integer game as we drove in the car.  We would take turns asking each other, “Which is greater: 6 or -9?” Or perhaps, “Which is less: 1 or -4?”  Because my son had this picture of a vertical number line in his head, and he knew the number on top was greater, he could accurately answer each time—even, “Which is greater: -1 or -4?”  a concept my 7th graders constantly struggled with before I introduced them to the vertical number line.</image:title>
    </image:image>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1598635551806-D3MHI8VGVTUS4XPJ4OWD/Screenshot+2020-08-28+at+10.25.30+AM.png</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Impacting Young Learners With Vertical Number Lines - Graphing of ordered pairs is another reason I recommend exposing all children to both vertical and horizontal number lines.  What is graphing?  The use of a vertical and horizontal number line (the axes) to locate a point.  So if students have had exposure to both vertical and horizontal number lines before learning about graphing (x,y) the new idea and process just might be easier and make more sense.</image:title>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/blog-post-integers-kindergarten</loc>
    <changefreq>monthly</changefreq>
    <priority>0.5</priority>
    <lastmod>2023-04-21</lastmod>
    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1598042142018-18FFNZFKIF222ZQOE883/image-asset.jpeg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Integers in Kindergarten - Yes They Can!</image:title>
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    <image:image>
      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1598043214929-LIFX9ISU60BOSKCSELA7/Screenshot%2B2020-08-21%2Bat%2B1.51.26%2BPM.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Integers in Kindergarten - Yes They Can! - Cyberchase is a PBS cartoon focused on problem solving skills and basic math.  The main characters, 3 children named Matt, Jackie, and Inez, are brought into a digital world to help fix the ruler, Motherboard, and stop Hacker from taking over Cyberspace.</image:title>
      <image:caption>This adventure leads the kids to different Cybersites, planet-like locations patterned after real world places and time periods, where they thwart Hacker’s sidekicks, Buzz and Delete, with the help of a “cybird” named Digit.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/1598042472708-5M45TX6D12J9WFCZLD44/P9030061.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Integers in Kindergarten - Yes They Can! - On the way down, my son Tommy, then 5 years old, noticed the benches were numbered.  So he proudly proclaimed each number as we made our way back to the trail head. “5 …. 4…… 3 …...2…….1.”</image:title>
      <image:caption>After the number one bench, we encountered another—Tommy correctly announced “Zero.” I was somewhat impressed that he realized that zero came after one while counting backwards, but chalked it up to having a math teacher for a mom.</image:caption>
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      <image:loc>https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f38197681c3fe6a3e6cb5c6/ff9b874c-d8bc-4912-9874-ce6c11d27e90/Screenshot+2023-04-21+8.32.54+AM.jpg</image:loc>
      <image:title>Raising smart kids math blog for parents, teachers, homeschoolers - Integers in Kindergarten - Yes They Can! - You might also like a more recent post on the importance of ten frames in elementary math.</image:title>
    </image:image>
  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/tag/game+rules</loc>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/tag/number+lines</loc>
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  </url>
  <url>
    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/raising-smart-kids-math-blog-for-parents-teachers-homeschoolers/tag/math+and+art</loc>
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  <url>
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  <url>
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  </url>
  <url>
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      <image:caption>“I love products like the games from Absolute Zero! They help kids overcome math anxiety by developing number sense in a fun, stress-free way.” Kris B - Weird Unsocialized Homeschooler</image:caption>
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      <image:caption>“One particular group of kids has been playing this game every spare minute they can and really playing around with strategies for winning depending on if you have 3, 4 or 5 cards in your hand at a time.” Tara - The Math Maniac</image:caption>
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      <image:caption>Absolute Zero Junior Math Card Game</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Play fun kids games that teach math for elementary and middle school</image:title>
      <image:caption>Hunch Integer Math Card Game</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Play fun kids games that teach math for elementary and middle school</image:title>
      <image:caption>Absolute Zero Math Card Game</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Play fun kids games that teach math for elementary and middle school</image:title>
      <image:caption>Prime Line</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Integer Alphabet | fun classroom activity | practice with positive and negative numbers</image:title>
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    <loc>https://www.gamesbyabsolutezero.com/classroom-math-activities-and-games-for-6th-grade-middle-high-school</loc>
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    <lastmod>2022-03-06</lastmod>
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      <image:title>Classroom math activities and games for 6th grade, middle &amp; high school - Absolute Zero was designed for middle schoolers - but kids as young as 2nd grade up through adults enjoy playing! The objective of Absolute Zero is to have the sum of all the cards in your hand equal zero. Players draw and discard until this is accomplished. The first one with nothing wins the round! A round can consist of a hand of 3, 4, or 5 cards. The number of cards in your hand really changes the strategy needed and the amount of mental math required! We like to play dealers’ choice and allow the dealer to determine the number of cards in your hand for the current round. One game of Absolute Zero typically consists of 5 rounds. Your score for each round is the Absolute Value of your hand.  The player with the lowest score after 5 rounds wins the game</image:title>
      <image:caption>Watch how to play with Mrs. Mays.</image:caption>
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      <image:caption>The Absolute Zero Junior deck of cards contains the numbers from negative ten to positive ten, where Absolute Zero goes to positive and negative twelve.  Absolute Zero Junior also contains a card with a value of zero which Absolute Zero does not. On each card of the original game, the value is represented with the word and number.  In Absolute Zero Junior, the number and visual representation in a ten frame are on each card.   These few tweaks to the original game make the objective of creating a value of zero a bit easier and offer scaffolding and visual support for young or struggling learners.  The game rules and scoring sheet remain the same as the original game.</image:caption>
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      <image:title>Teach integers and negative numbers in a fun way with math games - A fun guessing game with a side of math. Players will have fun while improving their understanding of integers. Hunch allows players to practice the critical skill of finding the distance or difference between two numbers with the support of a vertical number line and numbers that are easy to manage. A vertical number line is printed on each card, with the value of the card indicated on the number line.</image:title>
      <image:caption>Watch Now to see how to play and score Hunch.</image:caption>
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      <image:title>About Prime Line - Because Math Should Be Fun!</image:title>
      <image:caption>Prime Line allows players to practice their multiplication facts in a fun and interactive way. Similar to dominoes or Mexican Train, players try to get rid of all of the tiles in their hand by matching to tiles already played. But in this game a match must be a factor or multiple of the previous number.</image:caption>
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      <image:caption>Prime Line Fact Fluency Game</image:caption>
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      <image:caption>Free Tangram Resources</image:caption>
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