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20 Reasons It’s Way Cool to Love Math
by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
300 words

1. Arithmetic practice is a workout. It stimulates and exercises the prefrontal cortex in your brain (bonus: you don’t have to change into yoga pants or get all sweaty).

2. Math doesn't involve memorization of historical dates or dangling participles.

3. You don’t have to be a great public speaker or a poet to be good at math.

4. Math seldom requires an ugly uniform and group showers after class.

5. Instructors of math do not routinely deduct points for poor spelling.

6. Answering math questions rarely requires five paragraph essays or alliteration.

7. Complicated verb conjugation doesn’t spring up in equations.

8. Math makes you a better musician.

9. Everybody can learn it—math is a universal language.

10. Logic found in math is refreshing; so much else in life is grey!

11. Knowing math leads to wiser financial decisions (cha-ching).

12. Recipes almost always involve math measurement.

13. Projects around the house are simplified with math knowledge…how much paint will I need to cover 300 square feet?

14. Math poses no need to ponder deep philosophy like what Kierkegaard meant about the need to engage in a state of despair before becoming stuck in a state of inertia.

15. Calculating sale prices at the mall involves math and impresses your companions.

16. Engineers and quantum physicists are awesome at math and rake in the dough.

17. Everybody knows ‘The Count’ on Sesame Street loves math and is the coolest muppet dude on the planet.

18. Numbers and math offer relief from all those rehearsals of “Go Tell it On the Mountain” on the recorder in music class.

19. Building with wooden blocks counts as geometry math work.

20. Understanding and using patterns in math leads to advanced problem solving and higher level thinking across all subjects.

Michele Ranard tutored math for years. She has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling.

Painlessly keep math skills sharp this summer.

by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
615 words

I can see it now. That first morning of summer vacation, your kids will come rushing down the stairs for breakfast pleading, “Math! Sweet, dear, fractions and decimals! Please! CAN WE SOLVE EQUATIONS ALL DAY?” It could happen! Or not.

Funny thing about math—it doesn’t elicit the same excitement as say, a trip to Disney or the sound of the ice cream truck. No one seems to miss regrouping or finding place value when school’s out and the Wii beckons.

But when the school year rolls around, many students are suddenly sorry. Memory for math facts or long division may be rusty, and the rules for simplifying fractions may be history (like the ice cream man).

As a math tutor, I have found the easiest way to keep kids sharp during the summer is to stay INVOLVED. If you simply toss a workbook in front of them and disappear, chances are, it will collect more dust than completed pages. I have also discovered students have a preference to do math in the kitchen in the summer (is that because it’s a place of comfort?). Need fresh ideas for happy math kids in the sunshine?

Younger Students

*Geometry Geniuses. Drag out the container of wooden blocks, and let them have at it. Seriously! Visual discrimination and geometry skills will be sharpened, and they may have forgotten about the joy of building.

*Moto Math. Even for short commutes, give your child mental math problems to solve. You could ask, “Can you name a few ways to make seven?” or “How many cookies will I have if four friends each give me two?”

*Guess the Digit in a Minute. This can be played anytime and almost anywhere. Think of a number, give them a range, and then let them ask yes or no questions for clues (Is it even? Is it greater than 7?).

*That’s a Fact, Jack. Skip the flash cards! To practice math facts, break out the crayons, markers, fruit chews or M&Ms, and scratch paper. They practice fact families by writing four colorful sentences for each fact (2+4=6, 4+2=6, 6-2=4, and 6-4=2). The treats sit in a little pile next to the page, and they reward themselves with one treat for each completed “family.”

Older Students

*Rip, Review & Rice Krispie Treats. Snag a used textbook comparable to the one from school (eBay, Amazon, school) and tear out end of chapter “reviews” or “tests.” Answer keys are often in back. Why tear them out? A single page won’t overwhelm like the whole heavy volume can. Assign one test per week, pair it with Rice Krispy treats or a favorite snack, and supervise (maybe organize kitchen cabinets or clean out the frig while they work nearby).

*Pull a Bobby Flay. Cook or bake together, discussing quantities in the recipes. Let them do the measuring, and quiz them (How many cups in a quart? Quarts in a gallon? Ounces in a quarter pound?).

*Unplug With Abandon. Use the time as a rare tech-free opportunity to connect with your kids. Yahtzee, Uno, Othello, Top it, Mancala, Connect Four, Pentago, cribbage, and blackjack are a few possible games to play.

*Gorgeous Girly-Math. Check out Danica McKellar’s book series, “Math Doesn’t Suck” from the library. Her creative approach to engage tween and teen girls may expand her vision of math.

All Ages

*Take it to the Net. Check out sites such as www.aaamath.com, where you can click on their grade for appropriate drills. It’s fun, interactive, and painless!

Summer vacation is a wonderful time to practice math since the stress of exams and report cards no longer looms over them. Here’s hoping you’ll make the sweet summer days COUNT!

Michele Ranard is a math tutor, professional counselor, and freelancer. She has blogs at hellolovelychild.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

Seriously! Reminders for kids & parents.
250 wds
by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.

1. Arithmetic practice stimulates and exercises the prefrontal cortex in your brain (and you don’t even get all sweaty).


2. No memorizing historical dates for the Civil War.


3. Don’t have to be a great public speaker or a standup comedian to be good at it.


4. Requires no ugly uniform or shower after class.


5. Points not subtracted for poor spelling.


6. Answering math questions rarely requires five paragraph essays or rhyming.


7. No complicated verb conjugation.


8. Makes you a better musician.


9. Everybody can learn it—math is a universal language.


10. Logic is refreshing; so much in life is grey!


11. Knowing math leads to wiser financial decisions (cha-ching!).


12. Recipes always involve math measurement.


13. Projects around the house are simplified…how much paint will I need to cover 300 square feet?


14. No need for pondering deep philosophy like what Kierkegaard meant about the need to engage in a state of despair before becoming stuck in a state of inertia…fractions anyone?


15. Calculating sale prices at the mall impresses your companions.


16. Engineers and quantum physicists rake in the dough.


17. ‘The Count’ on Sesame Street? One of the coolest dudes in the entire cast.


18. Numbers offer relief from rehearsing “Go Tell it On the Mountain” on the recorder.


19. Building with wooden blocks counts as geometry homework.


20. Understanding and using patterns in math leads to advanced problem solving and higher level thinking across all subjects.

Michele Ranard is passionate about helping kids improve at math. She is a professional counselor/tutor and freelancer. Visit her at hellolovelychild.blogspot.com.