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Bright-Kids
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Vol. 5, No. 31 - August 4th, 2008
http://hometown.aol.com/brightkidsrus
mailto: debi@simplemom.com
Copyright 2008 Deborah Taylor-Hough
ISSN: 1536-0466 All Rights Reserved
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Subscribe: join-bright-kids@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
***: leave-bright-kids@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
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IN THIS ISSUE:
-- "Dear Readers"
-- Quote-able
-- Multiplication Bingo
-- Eleven Marvelous Math Games
-- Reader Tips
-- Assorted Information (resources, archives, etc.)
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< < O U R . S P O N S O R > >

New "Millionaire Calculator" Teaches Children the Power of
Compound Interest

Baby boomers are retiring broke in record numbers because
they failed to start saving early enough.

Parents can help their children avoid this grim future by
getting them in the habit of saving while they are young.

The new Millionaire Calculator by KidsWealth reveals how
easy it is for your child to retire a millionaire if you
start a monthly savings plan right now.

"My 2 year-old will retire a millionaire if we save just
$97 a month until he is 20!" - Chris Loch in Provo, UT

http://tinyurl.com/5nsvb8

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Dear Readers,

Just because life is a bit more relaxed during the lazy days of
summer doesn't change the fact that we still need to know where
things are and keep them handy. A couple of quick things that
came to mind when I was thinking about this are:

1) Keep a basket of beach towels clean and rolled up in the laundry
room near the outside door for easy pool, lake, beach or sprinkler
play.

2) Keep a folded blanket or sturdy tablecloth in the back of the car
for impromptu picnics in the park, or to sit on during an outdoor
theater or concert event.

3) Hang a shoe bag organizer over the back of one of the car's front
seats for your kids to store their toys, books, games, maps, water
bottle, and other car or traveling related paraphenalia. If the bag's
too long, cut it to length and hem the bottom.

What things do you do to keep your summer running smoothly?

Simply Yours,

--Debi
(Deborah Taylor-Hough)
Editor, Bright-Kids Email Newsletter
--Author of the popular 'Frozen Assets' cookbook series, 'A Simple
Choice,' and 'Frugal Living For Dummies(r)'
--Editor, Simple Times and Bright-Kids email newsletters

http://brightkids.wordpress.com
http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com
http://snurl.com/DebiTupperware
http://dsimple.wordpress.com
________________________________

QUOTABLE

"Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one
generation to another."

--Gilbert K. Chesterton
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MULTIPLICATION BINGO: Make the Tedious Task of Practicing
Multiplication Tables Fun
Copyright Lynn Marie Sager
Used with permission from EzineArticles.com.
All rights reserved.


Multiplication tables? What a yawn. Why not make learning
multiplication tables fun? Multiplication Bingo is a simple game
suitable for families and classrooms. Besides turning the tedious
exercise of practicing multiplication tables into a joy instead of a
drag, it actually introduces children to the concepts of forethought,
planning, and strategy.

Here's how to build a game and play:

1) Create one bingo card per round for each player. The cards
should be five by five square tables with the center squared marked
as zero. I have created a free template for the bingo cards on my
website; you will find a link to it at the end of this article. If you
laminate each card before playing, the cards can be reused to save
paper. Players can then mark the cards using dry erase whiteboard
markers during play. You can also let individuals decorate the back
of the cards before laminating and add to the fun.

2) Create a copy of twenty-eight "playing numbers" on heavy card
stock and cut them into individual pieces. Again, if you laminate each
piece, they will last longer. One set of numbers-0 though 13-should
be marked with an "X" in the back; another set of numbers-0 through
13-should be marked with a "#" on the back. You will find a link to a
free template at the end of this article as well as direction to help
you create identical pieces. Once you have assembles your game pieces,
play can begin.

3) Pass out the bingo cards and pens.

4) Tell the players which "X" pieces you will be using. For example, if
you are working with very young children, you may just want to use 0,
1, and 2, until they get comfortable with those timetables. As players
get comfortable, you add new "X" numbers until you are using the
complete set each time.

5) Once you have told the players which "X" numbers you will be using,
give them time to write numbers in the blank squares on their game card.
Players may write any numbers they wish. Players may also reuse the
same numbers as many times as they wish. For example, if you are only
using 0, 1, and 2, a particularly savvy player might want to assign zero
to more than one square. A particularly inexperienced player might use
the number nineteen only to learn later that the answer will never come
up. You can discuss these choices after the game and create wonderful
teaching moments. Note: If you are not using zero at all, the center
square can become an automatic free space.

6) Place all of the "call pieces" you will be using face down on a table.
Note: You should be using all fourteen pieces marked "#" each time;
however, you should only lay out the "X" pieces agreed upon at the start
of each round.

7) The caller selects one "X" piece and one "#" piece, then calls out
the problem. Any player who has written that answer on their card gets
to mark off the spot. Important, if the answer is zero and a player has
written more than one zero, they may only mark off one zero per problem
and they may not change their minds about which zero to choose as the
game progresses. Note: If you are playing in small groups, answers can
be checked as you go. However, if you are playing with a large classroom,
be sure to keep a record of each problem so the group can validate winning
cards at the end of each round.

8) The caller returns both pieces to the table and shuffles them. A new
caller selects one "X" piece and one "#" piece, then calls out the next
problem. Game continues until one lucky and thoughtful play can call out
bingo. Bingos happen when a player has five correct answers in a
consecutive row, column, or diagonal.

9) Celebrate the winner and talk about any strategies that helped them to
win. For example, I have been able to introduce the concept of prime
numbers and factoring to very young children by asking them to tell me
why certain answers tend to come up more than others. Tell players what
"X" numbers you will be using on the next round and ask them to really
think about which numbers they should include and where they should put
them on their came cards.

10) Wipe off the bingo cards, write in new numbers, and play again.

For a link to the free game pieces template as well as printable game
directions, visit http://www.navigatinglife.org, click on the galley
and scroll down to fun stuff. You will find a link to Multiplication
Bingo: Free Template there. While you're visiting the site, please
feel free to look around and e-mail me with any questions.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
--Lynn Marie Sager has toured over two-dozen countries and worked
on three continents. Author of A River Worth Riding: Fourteen Rules
for Navigating Life, Lynn currently lives in California; where she
fills her time with private coaching, public speaking, and teaching
for the LACCD and Pierce College. She runs the Navigating Life website,
where she offers free assistance to readers who wish to incorporate
the rules of worthwhile living into their lives. To read more about
how you can use these rules to improve your life, visit Lynn's website
at: http://www.navigatinglife.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Marie_Sager
________________________________

< < O U R . S P O N S O R > >

Stop Junk Mail! Save Trees!

GreenDimes stops your entire household's junk mail and
plants 10 trees on your behalf for $20. We also offer you
the choice to remove only the catalogs you don't want.

Our impact is huge. In just over a year, we've stopped
3 million pounds of junk mail and saved/planted
1,000,000 trees. We have over 75,000 happy members and have
gotten a ton of press - NY Times, Ellen, Good Morning
America to name a few.

http://www.dpbolvw.net/email-1374001-10535906

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ELEVEN MARVELOUS MATH GAMES
Copyright Lynn Powers
Used with permission from EzineArticles.com.
All rights reserved.


Let's face it. For many children, math isn't a favorite subject.
Numbers and math concepts can be challenging, confusing
and ... monotonous. As a parent, you want your child's learning
experience to be not only effective, but fun.

Below is a list of eleven games which help to improve mathematical
skills in a fresh and fun way and offers a nice break from those
frustrating math moments.


1) SUM SWAMP. This game of addition and subtraction takes kids
on a journey through the swamp. They'll meet all sorts of critters and
crocodiles while improving their math skills. How fun is that?
Recommended for grades K-2.


2) RACK-O. This oldie but goodie challenges your child's sequential
numbers abilities. So rack 'em up! Instructions include multiple game
variations. Recommended for 3rd grade+.


3) PAYDAY! Teach your child the basic money-management skills
they will take with them into adulthood. Recommended for 3rd grade+.


4) HONEYCOMB HIKE. Young learners will be buzzing over this one!
As they take their bears along a paw-print path around the board toward
the honey-filled bee hive, your kids will learn early math concepts like
size relationships and color recognition, as well as game-play strategy.
Recommended for grades PreK +.


5) TOUR DE TIME. Includes a double-sided game board for two levels
of play - Leaving for Vacation and Bike Challenge. Teaches and reinforces
skills in time calculation and comparisons. Recommended for grades 2+.


6) BANK ACCOUNT. Want to teach your children what's involved in
writing checks, making deposits and keeping accurate records? This
game is great for older children and will allow them to practice real-life
transactions such as making car payments and buying groceries.
Recommended for grades 5-12.


7) DIRTY FEET GAME. It might sound gross to you, but this fast-paced
game on measurement will delight your kids! Includes silly feet and inch
dice with lessons in converting inches to feet to yards. Guaranteed to
grow smiles a mile wide! Recommended for grades 2+.


8) CONCEPTUAL BINGO. This award-winning series offers your kids
the chance to improve on specific mathematical aspects while playing
the classic game of Bingo! Try different versions, including decimal,
integers, fractions, rational numbers, whole numbers, polynomials,
time, and money. Grade recommendations range from 1st to 12th.


9) CHASE! Kids can compete and race their pawns around the game
board as they learn to recognize decimal place value. Available versions
include Decimals and Large Numbers for grades 4-7 as well as Whole
Numbers designed for grades 1-4.


10) TRI-OMINOS. This classic game combines strategy and a little
bit of luck as kids match their triangular shaped numbered pieces to
those already laid on the table. The first to score 400 points, wins!
Recommended for grades 3+.


11) MATH MAGIC. A challenging game for middle-schoolers an
beyond that teaches often difficult-to-grasp concepts like square
values and roots, cubes and cube roots. Recommended for grades
6 - 12.


Check out www.educationallearninggames.com and 1888toys.com
for more information on these math games, plus a more extensive
selection sure to be a fun and effective supplement to your child's
math curriculum.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Powers


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READER TIPS
Submitted by Bright-Kids' readers.


== Back to School Tip ==
I found quite early that home work in all thirteen years of school, yes,
even high school, required crayons and colored pencils. Very early on
I invested in a 120 crayon box of Crayolas and a 50 pencil set of colored
pencils. These lived on top of the refrigerator and the rule was they were
to be used for homework only! These two boxes have lasted us a good
ten years and still have many years left in them. This made life so much
easier because when it was time for homework we never had to go looking
for crayons or pencils, there was never a missing color, and they were
always in good shape (no coloring with stubs!). I only have two more years
to go and my youngest will be done with high school. Then my goddaughters
can color with them when they come to my house!
--Kim J.


* * Your Tips? * *
Do you have some great family fun, educational, or parenting
tips/ideas you'd love to share with other parents and caregivers?
Just send your tips and ideas to Debi at Bright-Kids:
DSimple@aol.com
______________________________

READ-ALOUD BOOKS FOR FAMILIES:

http://snurl.com/reading4kids

Recommended books for children and families
(This is a great list to print out and hand to your kids'
grandparents for suggestions at gift-giving times!)
_______________________________

A special thanks to Gary Foreman and the friendly folks at
The Dollar Stretcher for making this mailing list possible! :-)
http://www.stretcher.com/
_______________________________

< < B E . O U R . S P O N S O R > >

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Subject line: bright-kids
Discover the modest rates for reaching this targeted market.
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BRIGHT-KIDS ARCHIVES

For a list of most back issues of the Bright-Kids Email
Newsletter, click on the "Read Messages" button at
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DEBI'S RESOURCES:

Personal Blog: http://dsimple.wordpress.com
Nature Study Books: http://astore.amazon.com/naturestudy-20/
Frugality/Simplicity: http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com
Cooking Ahead: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/frozen-assets
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Tupperware(r): http://my.tupperware.com/debihough
Personal Webpage: http://simplemom.com
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