Hilltown Families 
Archives
As you gaze at the base of a pine cone, did you know that you’re regarding an incredible example of mathematical reasoning? Nature’s patterns, as it happens, are deeply rooted in the Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio. It’s the ultimate in a marriage between the aesthetic beauty of nature, and its mathematical base that makes it make sense. To discover what a learning opportunity this is for the family to share, read our post, “Nature’s Patterns Reveals Mathematical Reasoning.” When outside, look for these patterns in different native species, including sunflowers, pine cones, dragonfly wings, and the eye of a common housefly.
Of all of the subjects that are taught in elementary school, math can be the hardest one to explore creatively at home; however, Halloween presents an opportunity for some fun informal at-home math studies, including basic logic, data collection, and statistical analysis…
The University of Washington’s Sing About Science and Math Project offers an online database of over 7,000 songs that cover an immense variety of topics in technology, biology, environmental science, physics, chemistry, math, engineering, and medicine…
What have you missed over on our Facebook page? Check out some of our top posts from this past week!
Join us on Facebook, and be sure to subscribe to our weekly eNewsletter too: http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=exwricdab&p=oi&m=1102808931044&sit=8w7zndteb&f=0383bd7b-6431-490b-85cd-f5c4412d7cf2
Often, math and art are seen as opposites: structure and the lack thereof. At the intersection of the two, however, lies quilting: an art form that is inherently mathematical. Families can explore everything from shape identification to tessellations by learning to create quilts together!
By exploring number systems, families can help children to solidify their own understanding of the numerals and place value of our own familiar base ten number system. From binary code and Roman numerals to a lost 13th century cipher and a zero-less system from 300 BC, number systems from around the world can lead to fascinating explorations of numerical representations and place value.
Have you ever thought to measure your family’s consumption of things not in pounds, gallons, or grams, but in terms of children, cats, or pebbles? Exploring statistics becomes more interesting when children learn how to be creative with not only the units used, but the topics that they research, as well. Drawing inspiration from the book “The Next Three Seconds”, families can practice math in context with creativity!
Math is very much present within children’s literature, and there are numerous resources to support families in exploring math together… and making it fun! Be asked Beryl Hoffman, assistant professor of Computer and Information Technology at Elms College in Chicopee, and a homeschooling parent, what titles she would recommend for families wanting to supplement learning (and a love) of math at home. Here we have written about the many titles she recommended…
The University of Washington’s Sing About Science and Math Project offers an online database of over 7,000 songs that cover an immense variety of topics in technology, biology, environmental science, physics, chemistry, math, engineering, and medicine…
Add some science to these hot summer days with STEMBite, a YouTube channel that offers snack-size videos focused on topics in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and the things in our everyday lives that they are related to…
One of our readers asks how other families bring (fun!) math lessons home and engage kids in real math problems. Check out the great suggestions made, including baking, games, books, and economics!
Original Short Videos Aim to Fuel K-12 Students’ Interest in STEM Well-known education resource Khan Academy, a web site offering video-based learning to students, sparked a small revolution in the utilization of video in the classroom. Videos, once reserved for rainy days or special activities, can now be an incredibly valuable educational resource. Students are able to pace their own learning when using videos, as they can stop, repeat, and rewind as… Read More
100 Links (Spring/Summer 2011) Nearly every day we add recommended links to the Hilltown Families bank of on-line resources. Some of you might find these links well suited for your family, others, maybe not so much. But it’s a fun and useful list worth perusing of online resource that are educational and entertaining! Where are these links? Hilltown Families Del.ici.ous Page! This icon can be found at the top of our site,… Read More
100 Links (Winter/Spring 2011) Nearly every day we add recommended links to the Hilltown Families bank of on-line resources. Some of you might find these links well suited for your family, others, maybe not so much. But it’s a fun and useful list worth perusing! If you have a link you’d like to share, post it in our comment box below. Where are these links? You won’t find them on your blog… Read More
Education Reform, One Video at a Time Hollington Lee of Hatfield, MA writes: You never know what crazy thing listening to someone else’s ideas will inspire. In my case, as a public high school teacher, it inspired me to produce close to 60 short videos (yes, 60!) of MCAS math practice questions for 3rd and 4th graders. A fellow teacher and friend asked me what could have possessed me, a science teacher,… Read More
100 Links (Fall 2010/Winter 2011) Nearly every day we add recommended links to the Hilltown Families bank of on-line resources. Some of you might find these links well suited for your family, others, maybe not so much. But it’s a fun and useful list worth perusing! If you have a link you’d like to share, post it in our comment box below. Where are these links? You won’t find them on your… Read More
100 Links (Summer/Fall 2010) Nearly every day we add recommended links to the Hilltown Families bank of on-line resources. Some of you might find these links well suited for your family, others, maybe not so much. But it’s a fun and useful list worth perusing! If you have a link you’d like to share, post it in our comment box below. Where are these links? You won’t find them on your blog… Read More
Joy Lamberton of Boston, MA writes: My husband is a PhD candidate @Harvard SEAS and he sent this to me after years of joking that as the kids started to learn math he would teach me as well, starting over with basic arithmetic. This NYTimes contributor beat him to the punch. He is two blog entries in to teaching math. The exercises and resources mentioned would be invaluable to homeschoolers, I think!… Read More
Hilltown Families' Featured Sponsors
Join our team of sponsors!
Directories
Hilltown Families' Sponsors
Join our team of sponsors!
Cultural Itineraries
- Season: January & February
- Season: March & April
- Season: May & June
- Season: July & August
- Season: September & October
- Season: November & December
