Ditch the flashcards: play these fun games instead!

There’s only one word to describe Alissa’s math workshop last week: ENLIGHTENING! It certainly provided us with a lens into today’s math teaching and methodology. The content was illuminating and the Q&A session covered thought-provoking topics. 

As promised, Alissa is sharing some of her top number fluency games to keep the math conversation going at home. Although it’s only April, we know that many of you are already thinking about the summer and how to keep your children engaged while they are out of the classroom. We all want to avoid the summer slide and even more so, the dreaded summer math packet! So grab a deck of cards, read her easy-to-follow instructions, and get ready for some fun quality time with the family! Remember, keeping your children engaged is half the battle when trying to instill a love of learning… 

One last thing: Alissa is available for group and one-on-one tutoring sessions, so email us any time to connect. And lastly…a HUGE thanks to Alissa’s kids for being such good sports and exemplary math game models!

how to Develop number fluency through fun exploration

Developing fluency with numbers starts with exploration. Leave the flashcards behind and give your children opportunities to play around with numbers in order to build confidence and strategy. Give them the option to use their fingers, number lines, hundreds charts, and tangible manipulatives. The more a child can visualize a number and its relation to other numbers, the more connections they can make. 

A deck of playing cards might be the best tool for practicing number fluency. Below are three games that can be used with children as an alternative to flashcards. Have fun!

Head to Head

View fullsize

This game can be used to practice sums, differences, quotients, and products. It’s a game that not only encourages number fluency but allows students to practice communicating like mathematicians using the appropriate vocabulary. Additionally, students need to think flexibly about the operations in order to solve the mystery of the number on their heads.

Players : 3

Set up:

• Remove the face cards from the deck. You can add them back in when the children are ready. (J = 11, Q = 12, K = 13)

• Two players take a card from the deck and place it facing out on their forehead without looking at it. 

• The third player says the sum, product, difference, or quotient of the two cards. The first two players try to solve for the number value that is on their head. 

Example:

• Player A has a 3 card on their head. 

• Player B has a 6 card on their head.

• Player C might say, “The sum is equal to 9!” Player A would see the 6 on Player B’s head and deduce that they must have a 3 on their own head. 

War

This game is a fun way to practice all four operations.

Players: 2 or more

Set up: 

• Remove the face cards from the deck. You can add them back in when the children are ready. (J = 11, Q = 12, K = 13)

• Deal out all the cards equally to each player. All players turn over 2 of their cards and determine the sum. The person with the highest sum gets to keep all the cards. Play continues until one player has all the cards. 

Variation: This game can be played using sums, differences, and products. 

Target Number

I love this game because it can be played in pairs, small groups, or independently. It's a game that allows children to use any combination of all 4 operations if they are comfortable, or just addition and subtraction if they prefer. Later on, it can be played with older students using the order of operations and introducing parentheses. This is a game that can be adaptable as children’s skillsets grow. 

Players: 1 to 4

Set up:

• Remove the face cards from the deck. You can add them back in when children ready (J = 11, Q = 12, K = 13)

• Deal 5 cards to each player and leave them face up in front of the player. 

• Turn over one card and place it in the center. This is your Target Number. 

• Each player uses the 5 cards in front of them to create an equation that equals the target number. The goal is to use as many cards as possible. If playing against other people, the person who uses the most cards in their equation wins that round. If playing solo, the child should challenge themselves to use as many cards as possible. 

• For the next round, each player sets aside the cards they used and collects new cards from the center pile so that they again have 5 cards in front of them. Turn over a new Target Number. Play continues until all the cards are used up. 

Example:

• Target Number: 5

• Cards drawn: 7, 4, 2, 3, 1

• Child could play:  

  • 2 points:  4 + 1

  • 2 points:  7 – 2

  • 3 points:  (7 + 3) ÷ 2

  • 5 points:  [(7 + 3) × 2] ÷ (4 × 1)

Spring Break Reads: A Little Something for Everyone!

We thought Anne ROCKED it at her recent Is All Reading Good Reading? workshop. There was so much insightful content, the advice came thick and fast, and the questions asked were thoughtful and thought-provoking. We just love digging in deep with our KQ community of parents!

With so many people heading off for some well-deserved relaxation on the beach, the slopes, or the sofa, Anne has shared her list of current fave reads from the early childhood years through high school. She also included a few of the ‘grown up’ titles she discussed during the workshop. Take a look and enjoy reading them with your kids wherever you are over spring break… and just remember: all reading really IS good reading!

One last thing…don’t forget that Anne is available for essay guidance and one-on-one mentoring sessions. Email us any time to connect with her. Happy spring break reading everyone!

Anne’s Spring Break Reads

Early Childhood 

• Good Night Gorilla (notice no text - illustrations are the text), Peggy Rathman

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle 

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault

• The Snowy Day, Ezra Jack Keats 

• Island Born, Junot Diaz 

Elementary School

• Flora and Ulysses, Kate Di Camillo

• Wonder, R.J. Palacio

• Refugee, Alan Gratz 

• The One and Ivan, Katherine Applegate 

• New Kid, Jerry Craft (graphic novel)

Middle School 

• All American Boys (lots of profanity, but strong read!), Brendan Kiely, Jason Reynolds

•  Fault in our Stars, John Green 

• Simon vs. The Homosapiens Agenda, Becky Albertalli

• Booked, Kwame Alexander

• Out of My Mind, Sharon Draper

High School 

• Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson 

• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night, Mark Haddon

• The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien

• Speak Laurie, Halse Anderson 

• Looking For Alaska, John Greene

Parents / Adults 

• Anxious People, Frederick Backman 

• Caste, Isabelle Wilkinson 

• Deacon King Kong, James McBride 

• The Hearts Invisible Furies, John Boyne

• Hidden Valley Road, Robert Kolker

---

Is All Reading Good Reading?

My friend posted a piece online recently sharing that when quarantine started in March she bought a Kindle and has read 64 books since then. Yes, 64! I did the math and that is roughly an average of 6 books completed per month (to my 1 or 2 reads). Although I’m happy for her, I have to say that I found this a bit intimidating. Did she not sleep? Did she ignore her family? I know she has a big job, so it’s not that she has the luxury to read all day…

And then my curiosity led to the possibility of audiobooks - did she go that route as well? Having said all of this, it made me ask myself ‘what is reading anyway?’ Does reading have to include the physical act of turning pages filled with print? Do audiobooks count - or is this cheating? And what about graphic novels? Do they promote or derail reading? Purists may have some strong opinions on all of this.

So, let’s consider why we read…

…Or more specifically, why we want our children to lead literate lives. It’s a given that reading is a crucial part of human development and a necessity for intellectual development. While reading to young children is a right of passage, it’s also a developmental necessity. We want them raised on stories so we can share with them the gift of language.

Babies actually start language development by babbling in a rhythm and mutter in complete sentences. If you listen closely, you’ll notice inflection, pauses, natural periods, and commas. The stories we first share with children are often nursery rhymes and rhythmical verse with beautiful illustrations. This is how we invite our children into literature and language. But then, as they grow, we transition away from them once they graduate to chapter books and beyond.

The Middle School Slump

As an educator, I see the middle school years as the period when the most dramatic decline in reading occurs. I’ve concluded that the root cause is attributable to external influences such as:

• Middle schoolers are pressured to read the “right books” (aka the “literary canon”) versus being able to find an individualized reading “fit”.

• Reading takes a back seat to so many other activities competing for their time, such as technology, sports, clubs, etc.

• It can honestly feel weird to just sit and read sometimes, so creating the daily habit of sitting down and reading can be challenging in our culture.

Keeping the Flame Alive

So, if we are serious about fostering a love of reading in our kids, what can we do to nurture their curiosity and make it a part of their daily lives? Here are just a few suggestions:

• Endorse ALL literature as a means to finding the right reading level.

• Applaud graphic novels and how they invite visual learners in.

• Consider listening to audiobooks.

• Continue to read aloud to ALL age groups.

If we want to nurture a love of literature in our children - especially the most reluctant readers - let’s give them access to stories that will benefit their language development. For example, audiobooks allow them to hear a fluent reader and understand the story without the challenge of decoding. Similarly, why not let them enjoy the images in graphic novels? This will help them connect and comprehend the piece. And for those who love the printed word, let them cozy up and crack the binding of their current read.

Here’s How!

Here are my suggestions for inviting readers to the table and developing curiosity as part of their daily lives:

• Litter your house with ALL books (picture books, novels, graphic novels).

• Leave comics in the bathroom - for a quick and entertaining read.

• Turn on TV and movie subtitles.

• Listen to audiobooks in the car.

• Have candid, organic conversations about books, the same way you might discuss a recent movie you watched or the latest Tik Tok trend!

Otherwise said, we need to commit to looking at reading in many ways in order to spark the flame early in our childrens’ lives and sustain it as a lifelong source of growth and joy. At the end of the day, let’s send our kids a clear message that All Reading Is Good Reading!

Let’s Connect...

If you’re interested in continuing this conversation, asking questions, or sharing your own observations, please feel free to email me at anne@keatingquigley.com and join me for my free workshop, Is All Reading Good Reading?, on March 10 at 7:30 pm (register below).

Join us for:

Is All Reading Good Reading?
with Anne Connerty, Essay and Workshop Specialist

Wednesday, March 10
7:30 pm

Click here to register

Anne is also available for essay guidance and one-on-one mentoring sessions.

---

Written By Anne Connerty
Essay and Workshop Specialist

---

Offered by Keating Quigley Educational Advisors

Keating Quigley Educational Advisors is a Greenwich-based educational advising practice that partners with domestic and international families to provide highly personalized educational consulting services for Nursery through Grade 12 students. Services include school search support, essay guidance, social-emotional mentoring, relocation support, and enrichment workshops.

The Keating Quigley Partners: Perspectives from Both Sides of the Admissions Desk

A Conversation with Verona and Jacquie

Let’s take a few moments to find out who Verona Keating and Jacquie Quigley are, how their practice, Keating Quigley Educational Advisors, came to be, and what qualifies them to help families along the path to finding the right school for their children.

So Who are Verona and Jacquie?

First and foremost, Verona and Jacquie are parents, each having raised three children in a combination of public and private school environments, and are proud to say their children are all making their way in school and life. This is a frightfully short sentence to describe a lifetime of learning and caring. All the more reason to call Verona and Jacquie to learn more. Moving on!

Jacquie has vast experience as an independent school administrator, and as a training and marketing professional in the corporate world. Verona also has a strong independent school background, focusing on admissions, as well as her work as an international public relations and marketing professional. Again, just a snapshot, but why don’t you click here to read more about their professional backgrounds.

Both of the founding partners took the best parts of their experience working on the other side of the desk as admissions and school counseling directors, as well as their first-hand understanding of what families are looking for, and resolved to share this expertise to help families find the best-fit schools for their children.

The Keating Quigley Raison d'Être

Jacquie and Verona share their knowledge of the education landscape — which stretches from preschool through higher education — with their clients. They understand a family’s anxieties and goals as they embark on the search for a school that will challenge and enrich their child while also providing a well-rounded, joyful, and developmentally-appropriate education.

Through their boutique-style consulting practice they recognize that no two children are alike. They create a tailored admission process expressly for each student. They accomplish this through transparent discussions with families, students, and schools, to demystify the process. Families can be confident they have the information they need to make informed decisions.

Some Specifics - How Do They Do That?

• Admissions support for families with children entering preschool through high school
• Essay development and guidance
• Enrichment support
• Social-emotional and academic workshops for parents and student
• Relocation assistance

Let’s Hear from Jacquie & Verona

Jacquie Quigley

• Character matters
• Transparency
• Collaboration
• Student Empowerment

When asked how Jacquie believes KQ differs from other educational consultants, she responded that “At Keating Quigley, I feel we truly collaborate with families and students. We dig deep into student profiles and take a long-term view of their educational journey.” She added that she has some basic advice for families, “Be open-minded and empower your child in the school search. Trust your gut reaction: you’re usually right. Don’t lock into a school “brand” but rather focus on the fit.”

Jacquie highlighted that a successful school search requires open communication and collaboration every step of the way. She stresses the importance of getting to know the goals of the parents and the students, creating a detailed profile that is representative of the student’s academic, extra-curricular, and character. Developing the life skills involved in the school search along with supporting their social-emotional needs also becomes an integral part of Jacquie’s work with her students. In summary, Jacquie sees the big picture!

Verona Keating

• Individual approach
• Partnership
• Community
• Student Profile

Verona has worked in the school environment for many years and has found there are a few things to keep in mind to find the “best-fit” school. Verona states “I realize that no two children learn the same way. Each child has their personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes, curiosities, and a long list of other attributes to consider in planning how to reach the best outcome. The school search process is therefore like a giant jigsaw puzzle. My job is to help families and students fit all the pieces together.” Otherwise said, there is no ‘one size fits all approach’.

Verona shared good advice for parents who are considering switching their child/children to another school, “An optimal learning environment is crucial in the foundational years. This is what sets a child up to be a curious, lifelong engaged learner. Look for a school that places emphasis on character, learning style, and extracurricular interests, as well as academics. Look for a school where your child will be seen and heard. The sense of community your child finds in their best-fit school will be a key to their success.”

Why Work with Keating Quigley Education Consultants?

Verona and Jacquie have successfully led many families through their school searches. Their experience working as admissions and school counseling directors -- combined with their own experience as parents searching for educational opportunities for their own three children -- allows them to share their expertise with families and help to find best-fit schools and solutions.

They have also provided valuable guidance to students who are working on admissions essays and preparing for interviews. These one-on-one consultations, based on parent input, organic conversations, student profiles, and years of experience conducting these reviews from a school’s perspective, are what make Keating Quigley experts in the school search field.

Jacquie and Verona take great pride in the relationships they build with the parents and students they place. Open and clear communication, sincere passion for the well-being of the children they assist, and years of experience in the field of school admissions, all come together to help families along that path to successful school placements.

---

5 simple ways to get your kids thinking mathematically

Let’s face it, very few children get excited to do math work out of school. And who can blame them? They need a break from work just as much as we do. But the fact is, math doesn’t just exist inside the four walls of a classroom or the pages of a workbook. Children need to be able to apply the math skills and knowledge that they have learned to the real world in order to solidify the concepts and avoid the academic slide. But don’t go rushing out to buy more workbooks or print more worksheets for the kids. There are many ways to work math into your everyday routine - the same way you sneak vegetables into their meals!

Here are five of my favorite ways to keep kids thinking mathematically each day:

Schedules. Children thrive on routines. They need to be able to anticipate how their day will unfold, even if it just means playing all day. Give your children some power over their schedules and routines by co-creating them together.

• How much time is allotted for each activity?

• How much time do you have to complete all of your chores? Can you get them all done in time?

• How much longer until you can start something? By when do you need to finish?

• How will you fit in your daily reading, chores, screentime, outdoor play, etc. before dinner?

Concepts covered: telling time, elapsed time, addition, subtraction, division

Allowance. Giving children an age appropriate allowance for doing chores is a great way to introduce your child to money management. Paying your younger children in cash will help them recognize different coin and bill combinations so they can practice counting money. Older children can be exposed to decimals depending on the amount you choose.

• If your allowance is x dollars each week, how long will it take to save for that item?

• If you buy that item, how much money will you have left in your bank account?

• If you save all your allowance for a month how much will you have? What about after six months? A year?

• Ask for different coin and bill combinations. Can you pay me all in quarters? What about dimes?

Concepts covered: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, skip counting by 5s, 10s, and 25s

Budgeting. Learning how to balance a budget is a life skill that all children should learn, and modeling how you use your budget is a perfect way to include children in this real life application.

• Give your child your grocery list, the weekly circular or access to the store website, and a budget. How can you make sure that you can get all the items we need?

• If the item is on sale, calculate the new cost.

• Look at unit prices versus retail prices. Calculate the better value.

• Have your younger children round up the prices and estimate how much the total will be. Older students can calculate the exact total.

• When ordering takeout food, calculate the bill. Older students can include the appropriate tip percentage. Encourage them to find different ways to calculate 5%, 10%, and 20% of the total.

• How will the state tax affect the bill? Estimate or figure out the exact figure.

Concepts covered: estimation, rounding, addition, subtraction, percentages, decimals

Travel. Most of us are traveling less than we’d like to currently, but having your children be a part of the conversation around travel (even if it’s just down the street) allows for great mathematical conversations.

• Have your child figure out what time to leave to get to your destination on time. If we need to be there at x time, and it takes y minutes to get there, what time should we leave?

• Calculate the total mileage for the trip.

• Calculate the total time for the trip taking into account speed, pit stops, and traffic.

• Calculate the amount of gas that will be needed for the trip. Have your child research the gas prices and calculate the estimated cost of the trip.

Concepts covered: time, elapsed time, rate, money, decimals, addition, subtraction, division, multiplication

Baking and Cooking. I don’t know about you, but at the start of this quarantine, I started baking ALL THE TIME. We made bread, cupcakes, cookies, muffins - all the baked goods. Baking is a phenomenal way to incorporate math.

• Don’t just take the recipe as given. Look at how many people you want to feed and then plan on doubling, tripling, or halving the recipe as needed.

• Remove some of the measuring tools from your cabinet. If you need ¾ cup of flour, but don’t have a ¾ cup, what are the other ways you can measure ¾ cup? Don’t have a ⅓ of a cup? How can you use tablespoons instead?

• Grocery stores are out of a lot of ingredients! Look up substitutions if necessary. Some substitutions are a 1:1 ratio, but others have different ratios that will need to be calculated.

• When cutting out cookies you can incorporate geometry! How can we get the most cookies out of this dough? Use flips, turns, and translations to fit the cookie cutter in the most efficient pattern.

Concepts covered: fractions, operations with fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, spatial reasoning, geometry

Encouraging mathematical thinking with real world connections is a very powerful way to give children a purpose and context for the skills and concepts they learned in their classroom. But most importantly, it answers the essential question - when are we ever going to use this?

---

Written by Alissa Helgesen | Math & Workshop Specialist at Keating Quigley