Edible Math

During lunch, Beth and Jeremy started counting their crackers. Jeremy was just counting them as I put jelly on them. Beth went over and got some. Counted them out. Then went back for more. Counted those out. And then added them together. She then did subraction by way of eating a certain number at a time. Jeremy started trying to do the same.

I mention this because Beth (especially) is a very hands-on and visual learner. She's also one of those do-it-myselfers. Sometimes, with subjects like math and language, it's hard to figure out how to help such learners to "learn". This is a great way which is also a "real life" learning experience, and not just on paper. For learners like Beth, this is a must.

I had been working with little rocks doing a similiar thing with Beth weeks ago. I figured she was ready to see it on paper as well and to work between the hands on and the paper. But I was wrong. As soon as the numbers were on paper, she got frustrated and gave up. I've decided that we'll stick with the hands on and visual stuff for now. She knows what her numbers look like written, but the math sentences don't compute for her yet. And because getting frustrated means shutting down all together for her, we'll just work with what she's able to understand and add the "tough" stuff later on down the road. I'm sure I'll try several times before the timing is just right.