Make Math Stick – Math Game For Kids

 

 

I have teamed up with Post-it® Brand to create a fun learning activity that helps to make math facts stick in a fun engaging way.

 

You have probably heard of the term Summer Slide; it usually refers to the loss of reading skills children can face if they don’t read over the summer. It turns out this happens with math skills too, especially math facts. Things like times tables that are still encouraged to know by heart, I always think of these as math’s equivalent of sight words.

 

Over the summer many children, mine included, are encouraged by their teachers to go online and work on math facts. There are some great math programs that can help children but it’s STILL screen time. New research conducted by the Post-it® Brand revealed that 85% of Generation Z (that’s our kids) learn best from a mix of methods including writing down what they are learning. Check out this infographic!

 

 

Gather your materials. You will need some Post-it® Super Sticky Notes in various colors and sizes (these vibrant colors are Post-it® Super Sticky Notes from the World of Color Miami and Rio de Janeiro collections), a marker, and a wall!

Start by deciding what your message will be. I decided on “You are rad!” I wanted to keep it simple as we fit this activity into a pretty busy summer day and I’d rather a short, fun activity (that he will want to repeat) than forcing him into something – no one learns well when they are forced into it.

 

Next, give each letter a corresponding number.

 

Write out a decoder list with every letter of the alphabet. Make sure that the numbers you assigned the letters in your message are paired up with the correct letter.

Write out math equations on Post-it® Super Sticky Notes that give answers with the letters you need. For example, if the letter Y is in my message corresponded to the number 18 I would write 6×3 or 9×2 and use that Post-it® Super Sticky Note in place of the Y.

Place the Post-it® Super Sticky Notes with equations in order on your wall.

 

Add a note about what to do and the decoder sheet and invite your mathematician to the activity. Provide them with more Post-it® Super Sticky Notes to write the message and or answers to the equations on and stick up on the wall. In addition, provide them with Post-it® Flags to mark any equations they have trouble solving so that you can go back to them!

 

I think I should have written a longer message because this kid blew through it!

He completed the math equations, found the letters using the decoder, wrote the letters down on new Post-it® Super Sticky Notes and popped it all on the wall.

 

 

 

When I asked him what he thought (my kids are the harshest reviewers!) he loved it. It was just the right amount of movement, writing, and math. I love that my children have the option to use online tools to improve these ever important skills, but I am so happy that simple materials like Post-it® Super Sticky Notes can help me create hands-on activities in no time to provide a balance.

 

This activity proved to be a great way to make math facts “stick”!, Post-it® Brand is encouraging people nationwide, especially Gen Z students, to write down goals, aspirations, and more, as a way to make them stick and accomplish tasks, both big and small in the new school year. How do you help your kids Make it Stick? Join me in sharing with @Postit Brand on social media and using the hashtag, #MakeitStick.

 

As I mentioned above, this post is sponsored by Post-it® Brand, although the content and opinions are mine.

 

Make sure to keep up with all the ways to help your Gen Z kids learn by heading over to www.post-it.com/study and by following Post-it® Brand on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!