Good morning, how are you? I thought I would share two new Homeschool Resources: Hands-On Equations and Ellen McHenry’s Basement Workshop – Math for Math. If you have used either of these resources leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of them and why.
Hands-On Equations is a supplemental program for students that can be used with any math curriculum. It uses the visual and kinesthetic approach developed by Dr. Henry Borenson to provide students with an algebraic foundation for success with algebra. Members save 25% with this special offer.
Ellen McHenry’s Basement Workshop – Math
Grades 1-11 approximately and varies by topic and activity; with parental supervision This website provides free downloadable games and curricula for a wide range of subjects to be used offline.
The free math games and activities teach various math strands and concepts in a fun, hands-on way. The game instructions and materials can be printed out and assembled for play offline. The games were designed by a homeschool mom and illustrator named Ellen McHenry. When she couldn’t find resources that were really what she wanted and needed, she got out her old college texts (she majored in drawing and minored in math), did some review, and started inventing her own stuff, much of which she makes available on her site for free.
When you get to the site you’ll see a menu of the math games and activities that include:
- Storm the Castle! – Players (ages 5-9 or so) pretend to be medieval soldiers attacking a castle. They must cross a field and a bridge using math skills, find the difference between two numbers, find coordinates on a grid, and solve simple word problems.
- Loot the Pirate Ship! – Players (ages 7-11 or so) use and practice multiples of numbers, prime numbers, and divisibility rules to capture ships and loot them.
- Sheep Herding Math Strategy Game – This is a two-player game that is fun for all ages. One person plays the sheep, the other is the border collie in this classic strategy game that is similar to “Hares and Hounds.”
- Professor Pig’s Magic Math (a mini-curricula) – Professor Pig teaches his students (ages 5-9 or so) to see patterns with numbers that will allow them to easily do addition without any memorization. There is review and practice built into the activities eliminating boring drill worksheets!
These games are not only great for elementary students but are helpful to older students who struggle with math or need remedial work.
But that’s not all! Ms. McHenry has also created free educational games and lessons for students of all ages, in the following subjects:
- Plants
- Animals
- Human Body
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Physical Science
- History/Social Studies
- Geography/Maps
- Art
- Language Arts
- Drama
- and more!
You will be astounded at the innovative ways she has developed, and the ingenious materials she has created to help students of all ages learn. Words simply can’t do it justice. Bookmark this site, you’ll want to return often.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
