Math Magic and Joy

We've been spending a lot of time on "fun math" lately, trying to make it more hands on  and practical while also studying the Greeks. I want the kids to love learning and so this is how we've been doing it.

* Note- for history on the Greeks we are using  "Notgrass" " From Adam to Us".


I recently purchased these books "Pythagoras and the Angles" and "What's Your Angle Pythagoras" labeled as grade 3-5. I feel like this book is closer to the 3rd grade level but it's still fun and helps  solidify concepts already learned or new to students.

Here is my boy trying out one of Pythagoras' little string tricks from the book to make angles

We also added in the " Donald in Mathmagic Land" cartoon. In the video they discuss golden ratios and many of the ideas from the book we read. There is also a tie in for music.

For even more fun I highly recommend the How to Draw Euclid videos on Euclidean Geometry.
Seriously genius way to present these concepts -fun for kiddos and mamas ( or papas).
Here is the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KUGLOiZyK8&list=PLBC2C30303C0DEAE3


I also purchased the "Sir Cumference" Books and we've read  "Sir Cumference and the First Round Table" and "Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi". Again Super cute and friendly books to reinforce math concepts.

We also added in activities like " blowing bubble art" where you tint bubbles with food coloring, allow the kids to blow their bubbles on paper and then measure the radius and diameter of their bubble.

Experiments like" Exploring Circumference with your bike wheel" from Education.com
http://www.education.com/activity/article/Bicycle_Wheel_fifth/

"Circumference and more Geometry"  from the NASA Connects Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnElDaV4esg

A Fibonacci art project found here: http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/2015/01/fibonacci-art-project.html

A Pi skyline: http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/2014/03/math-art-for-kids-pi.html

The Pi song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiYlioobAhM

Honestly there are so many more things we did and you can do depending on your kids ages and interests. I was even inspired to finally let my husband teach me to play the guitar after reading about Pythagoras and the ratios. What I've learned so far? How to hold a guitar, the cords E and G, and the fact that apparently that makes me feel like a rock star. Not to mention that all the kids have guitars and it's kinda sweet to sit around after dinner and pluck at the guitar. They are better than  I am but I am just happy that my husband now believes I can play more than the " triangle" in our " band".


On another note, there are a thousand things in the garden and kitchen that are making me happy right now.

Growing brussels sprouts and eating them for dinner

A batch of  homegrown brussels sprout leaves that I will ferment 

A nice salad spinner full of homegrown arugula

A beautiful salad made with the greens we grew

O.k. anyone who's friends with me on Facebook is probably tired of strawberry pictures but seriously they are going crazy and I think I have about 1,000 of them ( pictures that is). This is what they looked like today

 Strawberries

This, is just a cool yummy gift I got from someone . Gladiator cookies. Organic, made with cashews, coconut, maple syrup, vanilla, and sea salt. So good! I actually think I am gonna try to make a mock version of these.   

And pretty flowers from my garden that make me happy today.

I can't help but look at these and think how awesome God  is.



And this guy, I can't help but be happy when he's around. Sappy I know, so I'll stop there.

I hope that whatever your day is like, you are making time to find a little magic, joy, and love in it.