Brush Up Math Facts for Back to School with Beach Ball Math!

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: 

  1. Write the numbers 1 through 9 in permanent marker on the beach ball. You can repeat numbers that need more practice.
  2. Throw the beach ball to your child and tell them to freeze when they catch the ball.
  3. 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.
  4. 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).
  5. Have your child keep a tally of their points – or ask them to mentally add their new points each time they earn them.
  6. Celebrate your child’s success and send them back to school feeling smart and confident!

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