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Guest Post: by Caroline Mukisa from Maths Insider.

My 11 year old loves playing hopscotch! In fact we’ve run out of chalk due to the number of times she’s played it in the past few months. During the long hot summer she found an alternative way of playing this delightful traditional game.

Step 1 – Draw a large 5 by 5 grid on the ground using chalk.

Step 2 – Fill the squares with the numbers 1 t0 25 randomly.

Step 3 – Gather any children aged 3 – 9 and get hopping!

Try the following hopping games to reinforce and practise arithmetic skills:

• Number Sequencing – Hop on each number in order from 1 through to 5, then 1 through to 10 then 1 through to 15, then 20 and then 25.
• Odd/Even Numbers – Hop on the odd or even numbers in order.
• Pre-subtraction – Hop on each number from 5 through to 1, then 10 through to 1, then 15, 20 and 25 through to 1.
• Addition – Start at 1 then add 2 each time, then 3, 4 etc. Repeat starting at 2, then 3 etc.
• Subtraction – Start at 10 then subtract 2 each time, then 3, then 4. Repeat starting at 15, 20 and 25.
• Times Tables – Hop through the 2, 3, 4 and 5 times tables.

Some tips:

• For each game start with easy questions so that your child gets a chance to enjoy the hopping and get some oxygen to their brain before tackling the harder questions!
• Stop while they’re still enjoying it!
• For easier games try a 3 by 3 or a 4 by 4 grid and for math whizzes try a 10 by 10 grid (but only if they draw it out themselves!)

Bio: Caroline Mukisa is an engineer, turned math teacher, turned Kumon instructor, turned blogger. She offers quick tips and practical advice to help parents guide their children to math success. Grab her free eBook “Yes! You Can Be Your Child’s Math Tutor” from the Maths Insider website.

 Some rights reserved by emilydickinsonridesabmx

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