Mixing in Math (MiM) is designed to be used with any school math curriculum
and can complement homework in a variety of ways.Mixing in Math (MiM) is designed to be used with any school math curriculum
and can complement homework in a variety of ways.
Transition to homework time. Ease into homework with an activity or
two that combines math with movement. For instance:
Jumping to 100 gets children
on their feet while practicing with multiples;
How Many in a Minute combines physical
activity with data;
Catch the Beat keeps children moving to the beat as they explore patterns.
These activities also work well as a quick break in the middle of homework
time. They give children a chance to get up stretch while keeping the math
going.
Match MiM with math homework. Use the Mixing
in Math Activity Content Chart to choose MiM activities that give children
real-life experience with the skills they are practicing for homework. All
children—whether
they are struggling or succeeding with their math homework—will benefit
from the “hands
on” approach that MiM offers. For instance, if children are doing
money calculations for homework:
Pocket Change provides practice adding real coins;
Penny Jar engages children in tallying many dollars-worth of coins
for charity;
Special Snack involves children in budgeting for food, using grocery
circulars.
Plan in advance for school success. Many MiM activities involve measurement and time—areas in which children often need more practical experience. Ask teachers when those topics will be coming up, and give children plenty of experience beforehand. Use the Content Chart to identify related MiM activities.
Match MiM with homework in different subjects. Use
the Content
Chart to help choose MiM activities to complement homework in any area. For
instance:
Growing Plants combines graphing with science and nature;
Read the Label engages children in comparing nutrients in foods;
Quick Questions provides experience gathering and analyzing data about
the community, the world, or just about any subject.
Keep math in the spotlight. Read the “Math Spotlight” and “Everyday
Connections” sections for tips on bringing out the math. 
Check the activity
steps for good math questions to ask children, and the Variations for ideas
on adjusting the level of challenge.
Transitioning from homework. When children finish their homework
early, keep them involved in math with MiM partner games. For instance:
Play to 10 is a strategy game involving adding and subtracting;
Guess My Rule engages children in reasoning about arithmetic;
Name Game gets children working with letters, numbers, and patterns.
Share the Mixing in Math website (http://mixinginmath.terc.edu) with teachers and parents, so that they can support you in connecting MiM and homework.