I decided that we need to start out each day with some kind of engaging hands-on activity that both boys (ages 8 and almost 5) can participate in. For the past couple of weeks, we've been using plastic Geoboards. I got a smaller one and a larger one for each boy, along with a big bag of rubber bands. I also purchased a couple of Geoboard books, for them to use to get ideas for designs.
We've been going over basic 2-dimensional shapes with the boards. We started on perimeter for Bee, a concept he hasn't been exposed to yet. Learning on the board will minimize the amount of paperwork I will ask him to do. We can also use the boards to demonstrate area, the different types of trianges, and angle measurement.
Bug loves making pictures from his book, Geoboard Pictures Flip and Draw, with the boards. I have a harder book for Bee, but he prefers to come up with his own designs. So far, he's made some cool faces on it, and today he made a tank, and actually wanted to record his by drawing it on a geobard paper. He hopes to sell the copies for $1.99 each. I love how visually creative and enterprising he can be. When I get around to it, I'll post some pictures of the first face he made.
I see there are a number of other books on Amazon related to math wih Geoboards. I imagine we'll find many more uses for this nifty tool.
