
It’s no secret that school skills slip significantly over the summer. A recent large-scale study by the NWEA showed that students in 3rd to 5th grades lost an average of 27 percent of their school-year gains in math during summer break!
Beat summer brain drain and ensure your child stays on the ball this year in math with this fun, brain-boosting beach ball math game!
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Beach Ball
- Permanent Marker
- Empty Laundry Basket
WHAT YOU DO:
- Write the numbers 1 through 9 in permanent marker on the beach ball. You can repeat numbers that need more practice.
- Throw the beach ball to your child and tell them to freeze when they catch the ball.
- You child should then add or multiply the two numbers that their thumbs are either touching or closest to touching. If the answer is correct, award 2 points.
- A correct answer also earns an opportunity to take a free throw at the laundry basket. If your child makes the shot, award an additional 2 points (or 3 points if they take the shot from farther away).
- Have your child keep a tally of their points – or ask them to mentally add their new points each time they earn them.
- Celebrate your child’s success and send them back to school feeling smart and confident!
