Improv 2: The Real Times Tables and Strewing [Nov. 2, 2011, 9:14 p.m.]
The Real Times Tables
Each task of the course is a quick math improvisation prompt. It has an activity base, and one variable you can change in it to start improvising. You are welcome to find and change other variables, if you want, as well. Happy math improv!Suggested improv variable: strewing
How does the place where you strew materials change your kids’ attention and play patterns?
Why strewing?
Get at your child’s eye level and slowly look around. How many prompts for math do you see?We can casually strew a little bit of mathematics in all our spaces. Place a game, a printout, a math sketch you made, a quote, a cartoon, a puzzle - anything rich in math - where you and your kid will see. It adds up powerfully over time!
The real times tables basic activity
Wait a second. This doesn't look like a multiplication table at all. Or does it? Curious? Read more about it on the Math Future wiki
For more details on why play this game at all and how to play it with children of various ages, check out the Real Multiplication Tables Game - Full Description post on our blog.
Look for objects or pictures around your house that represent multiplication. Mark them with sticky notes with the multiplication expression your found, or just “X” for the multiplication sign.
Take snapshots or make sketches of your finds, or collect movable multiplication objects. Aggregate them into real times tables.
Infants - Use bright dots, small toys or stickers to point out quantities. Photograph the baby holding real multiplication stuff, for more fun!
Toddlers - Be creative and open: young kids see much fancier math, especially multiplication, than adults do. Give children stickers so they can mark features they found. If they go into a free play with the object, let them - just use math words alongside the game.
Kids - Older kids can create more artistic multiplication tables in a variety of media. Try timed photo scavenger hunts, to find as many multiplication examples at a museum or a park as possible.
Adults - It’s very hard to find examples of real multiplication past five. Some people find the activity of finding examples for real times tables strangely addictive.
Real Time Tables BUZZ Words
- Group
- Multiplication
- Bonus word - Unitizing is the ability to work with a group of numbers as a whole unit. Our number system is based on units of ten. Cards, dominoes and dice make it easy for players to unitize, because counters are organized in patterns. Iconic numbers help to unitize.
The real times tables improv time!
- Look around your child’s room. Do you see math on the walls? On the shelves? Above the bed? Is there a multiplication table in your child’s room?
- How about other rooms in your house? After all, your child might not be spending that much time in her room.
- Change your strewing!
Send the class a short video or a story with photos about your real times tables strewing.
1. How are little math reminders everywhere change your and your kids’ attention patterns?
2.What else do you notice about real times tables?
3. Which math words did you use as you played?