Maria's Math News, Vol. 50, February 2011

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Master Math Facts The Fun and Intelligent Way

Master not just the Times Tables, but Addition, Subtraction and Division as well

Provide a Solid Foundation for Higher Level Math
Build Your Child's Self-esteem
Fun Game that Rewards Your Child At Every Stage
As reviewed in Maria's January Newsletter:
"Both of my girls liked the game really well. They played and played and had to be dragged away from the computer!"

Click on this link to visit the Math Rider site and download the trial version now

Hello again! After a busy January and start of school, maybe February is a bit more peaceful. In the newsletter there is something for everyone again, I hope!

1. Math Mammoth news
2. Games for order of operations
3. Decimals videos: tenths, hundredths, and thousandths
4. Tidbits

1. Math Mammoth news

First of all, Grade 1 curriculum (in Light Blue series) has been revised with more writing space. Second grade will be revised similarly.

Secondly, if you're in SOUTH AFRICA please take note! A company there will publish math books based on my complete curriculum worktexts. I'm not sure exactly when yet, but I expect first grade to be available in February and then others later this year. It won't be called Math Mammoth but will have a different name and cover. I will keep you updated.

Lastly, an UPCOMING SALE. Homeschool Buyers Co-op will run a group buy of Math Mammoth package products (bundles) in March.

2. Games for order of operations

If your student or child needs more practice with order of operations, here are some online games for that. These shouldn't include integers, but just the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and parenthesis.

Most kids just love using games and interactive quizzes for practice instead of worksheets. Click the link to find the games, and have fun!

Games for order of operations

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3. Decimals videos: tenths, hundredths, and thousandths

I have now been able to get back to shooting videos after a long break. These three videos (titled Tenths, Hundredths, and Thousandths) deal with what decimals are (they're fractions!) and in that sense are tied together.

The first video explains about decimal numbers with one decimal digit (tenths) using fractions and a number line. I also include some easy addition problems.

In the second video below, I explain decimals with two decimal digits—or hundredths—using fractions and a number line. Also included an explanation of why you can "tag" or "add" zeros to the end of a decimal and its value does not change.

Lastly, I explain decimals with three decimal digits—or thousandths—using fractions and a number line. Then I show examples of converting fractions to decimals and vice versa.

4. Tidbits

Top 10 posts of 2010
I checked my blog statistics to see which ones were my most popular blogposts in 2010. So if you missed some of my top 10 of 2010, here's the list along with pageviews the post received within 2010.
Mastermind game
I did a giveaway for this game on my blog, which went really quick! But, it's a great logic game you can play online too (or purchase the board game for less than $10).
Geomagic squares
Instead of containing numbers, geomagic squares contain shapes, and the combination of shapes that you get in each row, column, and diagonal can be pieced together to make the same master shape. Interesting!

Till next time,
Maria Miller

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