I wanted to share one of my favourite, fun, learning tools. I used to use these as a child, and recently discovered a company which sells them.
First, you need sets of books. They range from pre-reading and pre-number skills up to calculations, numeracy & literacy skills.
Eg. Pre-Reading book 1, which I use with my 2 yr old son.
You need a set of tiles...
You need a set of tiles...
You open the case so that the clear cover is over the bottom section of the book. You then answer the 'questions' on the top page, by placing the corresponding number over the answer square down the bottom.
For example (sorry the picture is not better), this exercise is a simple matching game. It asks you to place #1 on the blue tennis racquet...so you put the #1 tile on the blue tennis racquet at the bottom.
And so on for the rest of the tiles.
And so on for the rest of the tiles.
When all the tiles are placed on the corresponding answers....
You close the case...
You close the case...
Flip it over, and see if your pattern matches the 'marking' pattern on the book page.
Watch your child cheer and choose another page to do while looking quietly pleased with themself...
And start again...
They arent all simple matching games. Some of them can be quite tricky actually.
They also have phonics building activities....
Number games....
And calculations too...
Really fun. I just like seeing all the different patterns you can make. But our kids really love them. And for the most part, its relatively independant and they can self-check. Thats a good thing!
If anyone is interested, I would be happy to order a tile-pack and 2 books of your choice IN EXCHANGE FOR...my need for Mead. While we were in the US last year I picked up a couple of Mead's Primary Journals in Walmart. They have a space for illustrating and a space for writing. I cant quite find the Australian equivalent. :( If anyone would like to volunteer for an exchange of materials that would be great. If not, I can just sucker in some relatives to mail some over...(right Heather? :P ).
7 comments:
I think my kids would love those!
I'd love to swap with you....
but I'd have to make sure I can find what you need at WalMart before I commit! (:
I get giddy over teaching materials! Is that lame or what? (:
haha- yes please! Next time youre in Walmart check it out. It has 'Primary Journal- early creative story tablet' on the front, with a Stage 3 k-2nd grade label. *drooool*. I dont know how I could become so attached to one style of notepad, its ridiculous.
No, getting giddy over teaching materials is not lame. Its why I dont think I could home school- I would send us broke. And why I became a teacher- to get things tax deductible! haha :)
I owe you one for the chocolate! So I can send some too!
Those look like Think it Through Tiles sold by Discovery Toys here in the states.....
I always thought they were cool too.
How many tablets are you looking for?
Karina, that's what I've been using for Preston this year! I LOVE them as well!
Crystal- they are like the Think it Through Tiles! I googled them and I think I used to use those when I was young! I dont think anyone else in Aus sells this kind of thing...boo on Oz. Re: tablets...I'm looking for ...some? lol. 3 or 4? I dont know how much they cost, I seem to recall them being about $4 :S Theres no hurry. We are in a GFC afterall.
Shelby- arent they cool?!
I cant decide if I love them because they are genuinely fun, or because they take me back to a special childhood place :)
Levi looks like he's having fun!
Don't worry about your "fixation" on a particular style of notebook. I have an odd thing for notebooks in general. There is just something alluring about all that empty paper...
Looks like you have several offers for exchange already, but I'm willing to scout around for the notepads. You've sent/brought enough gifts our way, I have no problem with returning the favor.
Heather
I'm a dork!
I just reread what you said Karina... I thought you were talking about school books, not notepads! I'm so stinkin tired lately! I do know what you're talking about now though. (;
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