I am a retired head teacher with a passion for writing and discovering the most effective methods of helping children learn. My local primary school is Tonypandy and you will find me there two afternoons each week working with groups of children.
My main areas of focus are Maths with the emphasis on the early years and English, especially drama.
I am a retired head teacher with a passion for writing and discovering the most effective methods of helping children learn. My local primary school is Tonypandy and you will find me there two afternoons each week working with groups of children.
My main areas of focus are Maths with the emphasis on the early years and English, especially drama.
Incidental Learning is the third video in the series supporting the Child's Play Maths programme.
The video discusses the vital importance of free play and explains what children learn incidentally when manipulating the rods.
This is the third of 63 videos that comprise a complete course for the introduction of maths concepts to young and older children aged 5 to 11 years. It is designed so children can work at their own pace.
The course has also been used as an effective 'catch up' program for older children and adults who failed to grasp maths concepts the first time round.
The hands on play based nature of the programme enables children to learn the way that suits them best as it embraces all the learning styles.
Children using this programme invariably acquire an understanding of concepts considered far too difficult for them.
Future videos will be made available in sets of four with the accompanying Power Point Presentations.
The Amazing Colour Factor Multiplication Square is a resource that can be copied and duplicated for your children, pupils and students as many times as is needed.
It facilitates whole brain learning by bringing into play many of the brain’s most natural and powerful abilities.
Although especially effective if you are already familiar with the play based approach to maths outlined in Child’s Play Maths 1 and 2 it can also be used independently of these programs as a powerful learning aid.
Topics covered include:
Sequence of Tables
Products
Square Numbers
Division
Division with Remainders
Fractions as Operators
Introducing Numerators
Factors
Prime Numbers
Fractions
Handling Data and Area
Pythagoras' Theorem
I used to photocopy the Square, laminate it and fix it to the child's desk.
Book 1 and 2 of Child's Play Maths is a program that introduces maths concepts to children through the natural process of play, games and open ended activities. Adopting this approach through the medium of Cuisenaire rods, the most precise arithmetical model ever devised, ensures young children gain an understanding of maths concepts generally considered too advanced for them.
The rods themselves embrace all the learning styles and provide links to language and art. They help children access the most powerful abilities the brain possesses and this ‘brain friendly’ approach is often referred to as ‘whole brain’ or ‘accelerated’ learning.
Child's Play Maths consists of over 60 units of work and is applicable to every year group. It has also been eused successfully with parents who failed to grasp maths concepts the first time around.
This program is not just about maths – it is about learning, specifically learning how to learn. Through interaction with the program your child will acquire generic learning skills that will stand him/her in good stead whatever activity he/she is engaged in.
“I love this approach to teaching math with my students. . .”
Eugenia B. (Teacher)
“This is a wonderful program. . . I highly recommend this product and this ingenious approach to Math.” Christine Hindle – The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
Units covered in Part One alone include:
UNIT 1 About Cuisenaire Rods
UNIT 2 Cuisenaire Rods & the School
Curriculum
UNIT 3 Incidental Learning
UNIT 4 Vocabulary
UNIT 5 Important Words and Phrases
UNIT 6 Developing Memory Recall
UNIT 7 Mental Imaging Games
UNIT 8 Cardinal Number.
UNIT 9 Staircases
UNIT 10 Staircases and Mental Agility.
UNIT 11 Extended Staircases
UNIT 12 Staircases and Multiplication
UNIT 13 Language Development.
UNIT 14 Introducing Signs +
UNIT 15 Signs < >
UNIT 16 Signs =
UNIT 17 Brackets.
UNIT 18 Signs -
UNIT 19 Signs x
UNIT 20 Signs ÷
UNIT 21 Signs: Fractions as Operators
UNIT 22 Reviewing Where We’ve Been
UNIT 23 The Importance of Questions
UNIT 24 Partitions of Length
UNIT 25 Families of Equivalent Factors and
Products
UNIT 26 Families of Equivalent Subtraction
UNIT 27 Families of Equivalent Fractions
UNIT 28 The First Phase: An Overview
“I love this approach to teaching math with my students. . .”
Eugenia B. (Teacher)
“This is a wonderful program. . . I highly recommend this product and this ingenious approach to Math.” Christine Hindle – The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
Book 2 of Child’s Play Math (ages 7 – 11) builds upon and extends concepts discovered in Book 1 through play, games, open ended tasks and challenges.
Download links to our fantastic Cuisenaire Rods app are included (Windows only).
Topics are covered in units and include:
• the Associative and Commutative properties of addition;
• Mental Substitution;
• Families of Equivalent addition;
• Families if Equivalent Difference;
• Families of Equivalent Fractions;
• Factor Families;
• Families of Equivalent Quotients;
• Families of equivalent Products;
• Reciprocal Fractions.
Books I and 2 of Child’s Play Math are comprised of 64 units.
This program embraces all the learning styles and promotes Whole Brain or Accelerated Learning.
A Science in Drama play script for Key Stage 2.
Theme: Ecology and Pollution
Why has the pond suddenly become plagued with frogs? Are the rumours of the deadly black slime true? Will Pond Snail escape the clutches of Mr and Mrs Water Spider? Can the Tadpoles trust Great Diving Beetle? What happened to Kingfisher? Can they all escape the deadly black SLIME?
For use in your school or organization.
‘About Cuisenaire Rods’ is the first video in the series supporting the Child’s Play Maths programme.
The series is comprised of over 60 videos and follows the programme outlined in Child’s Play Maths 1 & 2 providing practical tutorials using the accompanying software.
The programme itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of maths concepts. Understanding is achieved through play, games and open ended tasks and challenges.
It utilises Cuisenaire rods recognised as the most complete arithmetic manipulative ever devised.
The programme is designed to introduce maths to young children of around 5 years but can equally be introduced at any time ideally between the ages of 5 to 11.
Because of its unique approach that embraces all the learning styles children are invariably able to grasp concepts generally considered ‘too difficult’ for their age.
Child’s Play maths can also be utilised as an effective ‘catch up’ program for children and adults who failed to grasp maths the first time round.
The first two videos are available for free.
The remaining videos will be made available in sets of four with the accompanying Power Point presentations.
This short manual provides step by step instructions on how to use the Cuisenaire Rods Software App .
On Page 2 is a link that will allow you to access the software for free.
You can learn more about this exciting resource from the free video available from my shop.
Videos 9 - 12 of the series that supports and expands upon the Child's Play Maths 1 & 2 program.
Child's Play Math is designed to introduce maths concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' programme for older children or adults who struggled to grasp maths concepts the first time round.
Unit 9: Staircases: Why Staircases are very potent mathematical constructions.
Unit 10: Mental Agility: An important ability to develop for later work, for example, with fractions and graphs.
Unit 11: Extended Staircases: Staircases can be extended beyond the first ten steps just as numbers can extend beyond ten to infinity.
Unit 12: Preparation for Multiplication: Each multiplication table has a distinct pattern that can be revealed by the rods.
Also included are the accompanying PPT Presentations that comprise part of each video.
Four new videos plus the PPT Presentations will be added each month. Together they comprise a full years course.
MARCH 2016: Unit 13: Language Development; Unit 14:Introducing Signs; Unit 15: Signs < >; Unit 16: Signs =
APRIL 2016: Unit 17: Brackets ( ); Unit 18: Signs -; Unit 19: Signs x; Unit 20: Signs Division
MAY 2016: Unit 21: Fractions as Operators; Unit 22: Reviewing; Unit 23: The Importance of Questions; Unit 24: Partitions of Length
JUNE 2016: Unit 25: Families of Equivalent Fractions and Products; Unit 26: Families of Equivalent Subtraction; Unit 27:Families of Equivalent Fractions; Unit 28: The First Phase - An Overview
JULY 2016: Unit 29: Getting Organised and Moving On; Unit 30:Beyond the Rods; Unit31: Studying Families; Unit 32: Families of Partitions
AUGUST 2016: Unit 33: Partitioning Without the Rods; Unit 34:Time Out for 'Talk'; Unit 35: The Commutative Property of Addition; Unit 36: Consolidating - Mental Substitution
SEPTEMBER 2016: Unit 37: The 'Grain of Rice' Principle; Unit 38:Free Expression; Unit 39: Families of Equivalent Difference; Unit 40: Extending the Challenge
OCTOBER 2016: Unit 41: Families of Factors and Divisors; Unit 42: Factor Families – The Commutative Property of Multiplication; Unit 43: Factor Families – Consolidation; Unit 44: Factor Families – Families of Factors and Divisors
NOVEMBER 2016: Unit 45: Numbers Have Names – Fractions as Operators; Unit 46: Families of Equivalent Fractions/Quotients; Unit 47: Equivalent Fraction families – Generating Staircases; Unit 48: Reciprocal Fractions
The programme completion date is March 2017
Videos 5 - 8 of the series that supports and expands upon the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program.
Child's Play Math is designed to introduce math concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' programme for older children or adults who struggled to grasp math concepts the first time round.
Video 5: Important Words and Phrases - reveals the key words and phrases used to introduce math concepts to very young children when working with Cuisenaire Rods;
Video 6: Developing Memory Recall - the 'Learning Equation' and how it is fundamental to the success of the Child's Play Math programme;
Video 7: Mental Imaging - explains what 'mental imaging' is, how it can accelerate your child's progress, and games to play to help develop this crucial ability;
Video 8: Cardinal Number - the common consequence of children failing to grasp this concept at an early stage in their development and how the programme enables them to acquire it naturally.
Also included are the accompanying PPT Presentations that comprise part of each video.
Four new videos plus the PPT Presentations will be added each month. Together they comprise a full years course.
JANUARY 2016: Unit 5: Words and Phrases; Unit 6: Developing Memory Recall; Unit 7: Mental Imaging Games; Unit 8: Cardinal Number.
FEBRUARY 2016: Unit 9: Staircases; Unit 10: Mental Agility; Unit 11: Extended Staircases; Unit 12: Preparation for Multiplication.
MARCH 2016: Unit 13: Language Development; Unit 14:Introducing Signs; Unit 15: Signs < >; Unit 16: Signs =
APRIL 2016: Unit 17: Brackets ( ); Unit 18: Signs -; Unit 19: Signs x; Unit 20: Signs Division
MAY 2016: Unit 21: Fractions as Operators; Unit 22: Reviewing; Unit 23: The Importance of Questions; Unit 24: Partitions of Length
JUNE 2016: Unit 25: Families of Equivalent Fractions and Products; Unit 26: Families of Equivalent Subtraction; Unit 27:Families of Equivalent Fractions; Unit 28: The First Phase - An Overview
JULY 2016: Unit 29: Getting Organised and Moving On; Unit 30:Beyond the Rods; Unit31: Studying Families; Unit 32: Families of Partitions
AUGUST 2016: Unit 33: Partitioning Without the Rods; Unit 34:Time Out for 'Talk'; Unit 35: The Commutative Property of Addition; Unit 36: Consolidating - Mental Substitution
SEPTEMBER 2016: Unit 37: The 'Grain of Rice' Principle; Unit 38:Free Expression; Unit 39: Families of Equivalent Difference; Unit 40: Extending the Challenge
The programme completion date is March 2017
Important Words and Phrases, is the fifth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program. The video explains the specific vocabulary children need to be familiar with before mathematical concepts are introduced. The vocabulary can be introduced during free play and directed activity sessions.The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the program outlined in Child's Play Math 1 & 2. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The program itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of math concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The program utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Math is designed to introduce math concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp math concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Videos will subsequently be available in groups of four on a monthly basis. Together they comprise a full year’s course.
Units 13–16 of the Child’s Play Math Video Tutorials.
Language Development and Math is the thirteenth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program. The video reveals how the program assists children’s language development.
Also included in the bundle are the accompanying Powerpoint Presentations.
Introducing Signs: Addition + is the fourteenth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program. The video explains how to introduce the concept of addition.
Introducing Signs: Greater Than > Less Than, is the fifteenth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program. The video explains how to introduce the concept ‘greater than’ and ‘less than’.
Introducing Signs: Equivalence = is the sixteenth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program. The video explains how to introduce the foundational mathematical concept of equivalence. The program itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of math concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The program utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Math is designed to introduce math concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp math concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Videos will subsequently be available in groups of four on a monthly basis. Together they comprise a full year’s course.
Staircases is the ninth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Math 1 & 2 program. The video explains why staircases created with the Cuisenaire Rods are such potent mathematical constructions.The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the program outlined in Child's Play Math 1 & 2. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The program itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of math concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The program utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Math is designed to introduce math concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp math concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Language Development and Maths is the thirteenth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Maths programme. The video reveals how the programme assists children’s language development.The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the programme outlined in Child's Play Maths. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The programme itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of maths concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The programme utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Maths is designed to introduce maths concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp maths concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Videos will subsequently be available in groups of four on a monthly basis. Together they comprise a full year’s course.
Introducing Signs: Equivalence = is the sixteenth video in the series supporting the Child's Play Maths programme. The video explains how to introduce the foundational mathematical concept of equivalence.The series is comprised of over 60 sequential videos and follows the programme outlined in Child's Play Maths. Each video provides a practical tutorial using the software app available from the Help Your Child store.
The programme itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of maths concepts and is compatible with any school curriculum. Understanding is achieved via play, games and open-ended tasks and challenges.
The programme utilises Cuisenaire Rods universally regarded as the most complete arithmetical model ever devised. Sadly their potential is rarely explored.
Child's Play Maths is designed to introduce maths concepts to children from the age of 5 years through to the age of 11 years. It can equally be used as an effective 'catch-up' program for older children or adults who struggled to grasp maths concepts the first time round.
Because of its unique approach embracing all the learning styles children are able to master maths concepts generally considered 'too difficult' for them.
The first four videos are available for free.
Videos will subsequently be available in groups of four on a monthly basis. Together they comprise a full year’s course.
Birdflight is a Science in Drama play script for Key Stage 2 children.
Theme: Migration
Young Red start is discovering what a dangerous world he inhabits. Old Crow has told him tales of fearsome creatures like Sparrow Hawk, Stoat and the deadly Pine Marten who once hunted through the trees like a dark shadow. Yet there is one danger he cannot escape. A danger he must face with family and friends afresh each year or perish when the freezing white death descends upon the land. Is he ready to undertake the great adventure of migration?
For use within your own school or organization.
Originally created to support the Child's Play Maths early years maths program the app can be used effectively as a stand alone resource for students and teachers.
This is a 'how to' video that demonstrates the educational potential of the app.
The app can be accessed for free from Page 2 of the Cuisenaire Rods Software Guidelines PDF which is also available from my shop.
I hope you take advantage of the offer and enjoy!
A play script for Key Stage 2 children.
Bumblebania is gripped by fear. A ferocious dragon is busily devouring its inhabitants while the King desperately struggles to find a hero brave enough to slay the beast. Queen Ammoania is also desperately seeking a suitor for the Princess Lucinda. The obvious solution is to offer the hand of the Princess to the hero who slays the dragon and delivers Bumblebania from its nightmare. Unfortunately when a hero does turn up he is not what everyone expects.
A Chronicle of Bumblebania with performance and reproduction rights for your school or organization.
A Science in Drama play script for Key Stage 2 THEME: Electricity
When Sherlock Ohms is summoned to Magnet Manor by the mysterious Mr A.T.Mos he senses devilry afoot. His suspicions are further aroused upon learning that five of the wealthiest men in the world have also received similar invitations. Accompanied by his loyal companion Dr Watts-On he travels to the remote island unaware of the tragic events that will shortly unfold. As one by one the guests fall victim to the evil A.T.Mos can Ohms solve the mystery and uncover the evil perpetrator before there is no one left standing?
For use in your own school or organization.
‘Cuisenaire Rods and the Traditional Approach to Teaching Maths’ is the second video in the series supporting the Child’s Play Maths programme.
The series is comprised of over 60 videos and follows the programme outlined in Child’s Play Maths 1 & 2 providing practical tutorials using the accompanying software.
The programme itself adopts a radical and practical approach to the introduction and teaching of maths concepts. Understanding is achieved through play, games and open ended tasks and challenges.
It utilises Cuisenaire rods recognised as the most complete arithmetic manipulative ever devised.
The programme is designed to introduce maths to young children of around 5 years but can equally be introduced at any time ideally between the ages of 5 to 11.
Because of its unique approach that embraces all the learning styles children are invariably able to grasp concepts generally considered ‘too difficult’ for their age.
Child’s Play Maths can also be utilised as an effective ‘catch up’ programme for children and adults who failed to grasp maths the first time round.
The first two videos are available for free.
The remaining videos will be made available in sets of four with the accompanying Power Point Presentations.