Day 113

Had a brainstorm today and used it at Money Day time:

The 10 year old is in 4th grade and learning times tables - which is essentially, counting by [fill in the blank number].

I had him exchange a bunch of change - starting with the 11s tables. It was easy - just had him make 12 lines totalling 11. He can count money well - just can't count by 11 very easily or quickly.

So, he had one line of a dime and a penny (11 cents). The next line had 2 nickels and a penny (11 cents). And so on.

Then, when he first counted it, he had to add each piece of the line - as in, 11 cents for the first line, plus a nickel, equals 16 cents, plus a nickel equals 21 cents, plus a penny equals 22 cents. Then, after a little practice he could just count from one line to the next 11 - 22 - 33 - 44 - etc.

If it's with money, they're interested. When I told him he had just learned his 11's times tables he was in shock! [and so was I - no tears, no fussing, no begging]

Yahooooo!


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Theresa Markham, Esq.
Author, The Kids' Bank Book