Cottontail Chatter: We LOVE Math!

We have surrounded ourselves with numbers and our number awareness and number sense is growing rapidly. I am very proud of the Kindergarteners and their passion for our math time. Whether we are working together as a large group, using hands-on manipulative, playing math games, or completing workbook pages they show the same enthusiasm and love for what we do each and every day.

Our Math curriculum has an online component that you can access from home. These student accounts are set up for your child to use. Visit THIS website. Your child's user name is their first and last name - all one word (example: john doe) and their password is their six digit birth date - mmddyy (example: 123109).

When logging in for the first time you will be prompted for the following information:
Country: United States
State: IOWA
District: Private School
School: Willowwind School, Iowa City 52245

As we approach the half way point of our Kindergarten year, students will begin to use our class iPads on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for Brain Breakfast. They will be able to investigate various Math and Literacy apps during this time.

On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, I encourage you to take some time to allow your Kindergartener to use their favorite device to further investigate Math concepts. Like our Monday, Wednesday, Friday Math homework packet this investigation time can occur for a simple 5 or 10 minutes, or longer based on your families own desires. Use the above log in information or the apps listed Below to explore various online Math resources. I haven't had a chance to use all apps below (some yes!), but they have received great online reviews from teachers and parents. Some are FREE! and some are fee based.

Butterfly Math Addition
Price: FREE
Summary: Takes a hands-on approach teaching kids math concepts of counting and addition. It is fun to catch the butterflies. If they answer the question right, kids get rewards of tiles to add to the coloring page. Both the butterflies and the tiles are small, so it is also a good fine motor practice. Kids also have to practice a lot to finish a coloring page.

Madagascar Math Ops
Price: FREE
Summary: Kids will have fun by using intuitive, simple gameplay as they race to rescue the Madagascar gang. Children solve mathematical problems and use special jetpack abilities to finish every level.

APlus Click
Price: FREE
Summary: Not an app but a website that functions well on devices, APlus Click's problems are not just simple math fact drills. All problems require logical and creative thinking, and math is just a tool or a stepping stone in the problem solving process. The site also uses intuitive visuals well.

Fetch! Lunch Run
Price: FREE
Summary: This app requires a bit of parent preparation by printing some materials off the app's website. However, doing so gets kids up and moving all while using a device. From the PBS Kids show Fetch with Ruff Ruffman, it is a very active game.

Ten Frame Mania
Price: FREE
Summary: The goal of the game is eliminate numbers moving on a pathway. To eliminate them, you have to make them using a ten frame. As you progress through the levels, the numbers will enter the pathway sooner and will move faster through it.

1st Grade Math Splash
Price: FREE
Summary: The best math app aligned to common core standards with virtually infinite number of questions. Covers the following topics: addition, subtraction, place value, counting, comparison, time, measurement, graphs, geometry, money.

IXL
Price: $9.99 monthly; $79 yearly
Summary: Create an account for your child and select a place to start. Problems build as your child progresses through problems and concepts. Requires an annual fee but really fun and engaging! We have a classroom license where your child will be able to explore IXL at school.

THIS, too, is a great link to 45 Math Game Apps that are categorized by age level and skill. Some apps in the list may be outdated and no longer available but many of the apps are worth while in checking out.