“Why do we have to learn this?” is a common lament when you try to get kids to focus on math lessons. Dreading a math class is almost a rite of passage for many young learners. Helping children connect with math, understand it is important, and, even, enjoy learning it can give them more confidence and open doors. Math is often seen as a stand-alone subject that doesn’t have much to do with other subjects. However, math is all around us. Helping a child connect math lessons with other lessons in art, literature, science, and more can create memorable and fascinating experiences. Math can be found in nearly every school subject: measures in music; the geometry in art; poetic stanzas and sentence structure; fractions, measurements, and calculations in chemistry; and even measuring distance in geography. Creating these cross-disciplinary connections makes math less intimidating and more relevant. Helping children appreciate the universality of math helps them unlock many things about how the world works. Get kids excited about math with these resources that will make math fun again! It is important to emphasize how math connects to daily life. “Talk with your child about people with cool careers—astronauts, video game programmers, scientists, and race-car drivers—who use math formulas every day,” as Jeannette Moninger of Parents Magazine recommends. This will tie in real-world connections and classroom subjects that naturally fascinate children and spark their imagination. There are many other ways to make math feel more accessible for kids – and even fun! Encourage Mistakes Perhaps one of the most intimidating moments in learning math is the mistake-making process. However, as José Vilson of Edutopia writes, “Once we [as parents and teachers] allow more mistakes, we let students into the process that our earliest mathematicians used in developing the axioms we believe today.” Teaching a child that some of the most brilliant mathematicians—from Pythagoras to da Vinci—made mistakes all along the way gives students perspective and encouragement in their continuing studies. Vilson advocates for using mistakes as learning moments in and of themselves, noting that, “When students struggle with the material, they learn how to work problems out as their own self-motivated teachers.” This process provides a sense of ownership for students, as they conquer the equations that once gave them trouble. This system also allows students the opportunity to get a bit creative in the problem-solving process, showcasing the multi-faceted and multi-level aspects of the world of mathematics, and allowing them to explore how math affects their critical thinking skills. Daily Math Fun Jeannette Moninger advocates the use of “fun and games” in developing math skills with your child. She emphasizes that in the home, math should be seen as something fun, positive, and useful—not a chore that must be slogged through. Rather than doing “drills” and “exercises” with your child, try to incorporate math lessons into their daily lives. Moninger notes that “kids naturally love counting, sorting, doing puzzles, and discovering patterns,” and these activities can incorporate math throughout the day. Some of her suggestions include applying math to money problems, such as encouraging your child to help you calculate tips at restaurants, add up grocery prices while you go shopping together, or even setting up a mock “store” at home and having them calculate the change. Interacting with money not only creates a real-life example of every day math, but provides rewards to you child through the process. Additionally, Moninger recommends cooking with your child as a way to include measurements and fractions in their learning. Making math a daily part of your family routine can make a big impact on young learners, breaking down the barriers that can make math intimidating and separate from daily life. Books with fun math challenges can be a great way to add math to family time. Our popular book 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math contains dozens of entertaining math challenges through short story problems. Written by Eric Yoder and his daughter, Natalie, the five-book One Minute Mysteries series includes fun games to learn math and science at home. Solving each mystery in the math book requires readers to make use of their math knowledge, such as using fractions to modify a recipe or calculating average scores. These engaging stories of diverse kids using math to solve real problems helps math become relatable and solvable! Another favorite book that makes math fun is 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math. This title helps kids understand how to use math dozens of times—every day.With entertaining connections to sports, hobbies, science, food, and travel, mathematical concepts are simplified and explained using clear, real-life explanations. They’ll even learn some fun trivia and math history! Math Before Bed Most parents make a point of reading to their children at bedtime. Math at bedtime can be another fun—and educational—routine. Alexander Cho of Science Magazine explains, “If a child’s parents replace a bedtime story with math discussion even one night a week, the child’s math skills may improve markedly.” The simple substitution can make a larger impact that one might realize, as, according to one study, “over the course of a nine-month school year, students who do bedtime math gain, on average, the equivalent of a three-month advantage over their peers.” This advantage can prove especially useful in building the confidence of young learners and helping them feel more comfortable with the subject. Math certainly doesn’t have to be a chore. Showing your children that math exists all around us helps to ground the concepts in their minds, and helps them count on fun! Fun Math Websites: BedTimeMath.org CoolMath4Kids.com MathisFun.com MathPlayground.com ZapZapMath.com

Ah, the lazy days of summer... long days at the beach, playing in the sunshine, afternoons spent lounging and enjoying family and friends. Kids and adults alike love summer, as it provides a much-needed respite from hectic lives. Labor Day is upon us, though, and it's time to put away the beach towels and picnic baskets and get ready to go back to school! Kids get used to the slower pace during the summer, and while we do our best to keep their brains engaged, getting them back into the groove of homework, classwork, and activities can be challenging—especially when it comes to math and science—but it doesn't have to be boring! We offer books that make learning FUN, and they are a great way to get your child back on track for school! Math Madness Book Set These aren’t your ordinary math books. Kids are challenged to solve math brainteasers and answer questions in sports, cooking, money, travel and more. Kids will see how much math is a critical part of their everyday lives. These fun, educational books are perfect for kids, parents, educators, and anyone interested in knowing the difference between an Olympic event score of 9.0 and Richter scale score of 9.0. 101 Things Everyone Should Know.... Book Set This set includes the two 101 Things books: 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math and 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science, from the award-winning authors Marc Zev, Kevin Segal, and Nathan Levy. Math is a critical part of our everyday lives. 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math helps kids understand how you use math dozens of times every day. With entertaining connections to sports, hobbies, science, food, and travel, math concepts are simplified and explained using clear, real-life explanations. You'll even learn some fun trivia and math history! Why do you see lightning before you hear thunder? What keeps the planets orbiting around the sun? Why do we put salt on roads when they are icy? What metal is a liquid at room temperature? And the burning question: Why do so many scientists wear lab coats? Science affects everything—yet so many of us wish we understood it better. Using an accessible question-and-answer approach, 101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science expands every reader's knowledge. Ghost in the Water John Hawkins is in yet another new school as he begins the 7th grade. His life would be just fine except for the fact that the school bully has it out for him. Things change when his passion for robotics lands him an invitation to be a part of a secret club. Together, these friends pool their knowledge of biology, technology, and chemistry to unravel the mysteries that haunt their quiet town. Join the league as they tackle the supernatural in Ghost in the Water, their debut adventure in the exciting League of Scientists mystery series. 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! These aren't your average math problems… Each minute-long story introduces an engaging mystery that can only be solved with math. The brainteasers are entertaining, but-even better-their real-world connections help kids see math concepts as approachable, learnable, and solvable. The brainteasers help support literacy, problem-solving, and deductive-reasoning skills, while exploring essential math topics. A fun way to develop deductive reasoning skills and discover the joys of math! Do you have a favorite book, game, or educational TV show that gets your kids back in the swing of school? Let us know in the comments what your family likes to use!

Bilingual STEM Resources Learning a new language is hard. Trying to learn complicated math and science concepts in a new language is even harder. With almost five million English Language Learners (ELLs) in U.S. public schools facing this near-impossible challenge, it is difficult to believe that bilingual STEM resources are still not readily available. The rate of high school graduation for ELLs is only 63 percent, almost 20 percent lower than the national average. These students often fall behind in basic subjects due to insufficient language accommodations. Wendi Pillars, an experienced ESL teacher from Chatham County Schools in North Carolina, says, “Teachers continue to report that they feel unprepared to work with students who are language learners… even though ELL enrollment continues to increase annually in most states.” This issue also causes educators to overlook ELLs who may be candidates for advancement, evidenced by the paltry two percent enrolled in gifted programs. The Need for Bilingual Education It is clear that we could—and should—be doing more to support bilingual education, particularly for ELLs: Nearly 1 in 10 students in U.S. public schools are ELLs. The U.S. is home to 52.6 million native or bilingual Spanish-speakers. 70% of Hispanic students speak a language other than English at home. Students in two-way dual language programs show higher reading and math scores. Bilingual adults experience less cognitive decline as they age. Even as ESL, bilingual, and dual-language immersion schools become more popular, these programs almost universally face a lack of resources. This is particularly frustrating for Spanish-speaking ELLs, who make up a significant portion of this population. Spanish speakers comprise over half of all ELLs in the U.S., with more than 3.8 million students. In the U.S. today, one of every four public school students is Hispanic—and this number increases daily. In fact, the U.S. is now home to more Spanish speakers than Spain. STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are vital to helping students succeed in school and in daily tasks like understanding mortgages and using electronics. The National Science Foundation stresses that “to succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.” Careers in STEM are growing quickly, and typically provide high salaries. It is more important than ever to ensure that all students are receiving quality STEM education, yet English Language Learners have notably few resources that deal with these subjects. Fortunately, educators and educational publishers are beginning to address this problem. There is now a bilingual STEM resource designed specifically to help Spanish-speaking ELLs learn STEM subjects. A set of middle-grade books offers literature-based science and math brainteasers in both English and Spanish, with easy side-by-side comparison that allows students to develop their language and STEM skills at the same time. Having a resource like this, which clearly explains science and math concepts in a fun, accessible way, can be game-changing for ELLs. These books are part of the 5-book One Minute Mysteries series, written by father/daughter team Eric and Natalie Yoder. They challenge kids to solve real-life brainteasers using their knowledge of STEM subjects. Previously only available in English, the bilingual edition of the science mysteries book was released last year, titled More Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! • ¡Más Misterios Cortos que Resuelves con Ciencias! The second bilingual book was released in last August, this time offering math mysteries, Short Mysteries You Solve With Math! • ¡Misterios Cortos que Resuelves con Matemáticas! Carmen M. Martinez-Roldan, Ph.D, from the Bilingual Education Program at Columbia University, writes of the book set, “Bilingual materials addressing STEM topics are long overdue. These books give kids the vocabulary and confidence they need to succeed in the classroom.” The layout of the books--with Spanish and English on facing pages--is particularly beneficial for children who speak English at school but Spanish at home. A recent survey shows that approximately 43% of US parents help their children with their homework. However, it is important to remember that not all parents are able to help. In addition to evening work schedules, which prevents some parents from consulting on homework, not all parents speak English well enough to help their children. As a report from the National Research Council reminds us, "A parent's primary language has implications for how involved he or she can be in their child's education. Even a bilingual parent may have trouble with reading comprehension." This is why the side-by-side layout of the One Minute Mystery books is so beneficial. With English and Spanish on facing pages, parents who are not proficient in English can still help their children work their way through these science and math brainteasers. This is one small step towards closing the achievement gap between ELLs and their native English-speaking classmates. Bilingual Resources: Where to Begin De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children ¡Colorín colorado! (For educators and families of ELLs) Bilingual Books for Kids: Multicultural Connections y Cosas Hispanicas Common Sense Media (List of bilingual & Latino books) Goodreads (List of popular bilingual Spanish books) Bilingual education is not just for ELLs. Many English speakers are discovering the powerful positive impact that knowledge of a second language can have on academic and personal success. Reading and math scores of students in two-way dual language education are higher than those of monolingual students, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, proficiency in English, or special education skills. Bilingual children also demonstrate an increased sense of self-worth and identity, and tend to relate to others better than monolingual students. Do you use any bilingual resources we haven't mentioned here? Please let us know what they are in comments! -- Photo credits: Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino (U.S. Air Force), Airman 1st Class Valerie Monroy (U.S. Air Force), hepingting (Flickr) This article was originally posted on SEA Homeschoolers.

Science Naturally is honored that our series 65 Science and Math Mysteries Collection makes an appearance in the STEAM curriculum of an amazing organization called The Refugee Empowerment Program (REP). We think you STEM- and book- lovers will want to hear all about the great work REP is doing. About Refugee Empowerment Program In 2002, a recently arrived refugee in Memphis spoke out about the exceptional need for educational support in the refugee community, and for the need of increased connection between the refugee and American communities. As this woman struggled to balance the new demands of employment, learning a new language, and acclimating to a new culture, she saw that the struggles of others in her community were nearly identical to her own, and that Memphians seemed relatively oblivious to their plight. Out of this concern grew a collaborative of Americans and refugees interested in improving the educational welfare and support of refugees. Starting with twelve children and two volunteers, REP has since grown into a staff of three serving a community of over 400 individuals alongside hundreds of volunteers each year. A commitment to provide quality programs led REP to become an operational program of the Memphis Leadership Foundation in October in 2007. REP's after-school program for refugee children helps them develop their English skills, adjust socially, and provides homework help. REP does more than a traditional after school program; they support English Language Learners and encourage their students to have conversations and practice their English, as well as helping them understand idioms that are not easily translated. Over time, they've expanded to provide tutoring, homework help, ACT prep, peer mentors, and support for first generation college students. REP, Science Naturally, and First Book REP partners with First Book, an organization that provides quality materials at an affordable price to qualifying organizations. Cam Echols, one of the founding members of REP, is a huge First Book fan. She appreciates how the low cost of First Book products allows grassroots organizations like REP to stretch their dollars and allocate funds where they can be most useful. First Book is how REP found Science Naturally's 65 Science and Math Mysteries Collection. They purchased these books in December of 2015, when they were developing a STEAM program for their students. REP staff note that the "A" in STEAM — Art — is particularly important to the children in their program. They used these books in developing their curriculum, and eventually sent the books home with individual students to help build their home libraries because REP knows that having books in the home is essential! How You Can Help You can support the great work the REP does by making a donation on their website. A gift of $10 supports healthy snacks for a child in the Pre-K readiness program for one week. A gift of $50 supports one adult learning English for one year. Even a small donation goes a long way towards helping this refugee community, so please do what you can and help us spread the word about this worthy cause! If you are in the Memphis area, REP also offers many different volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out their volunteer application here. We thank you.

According to the "STEM Starts Early" study performed by The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and New America, “early STEM experiences predict later academic outcomes better than early reading skills". A Carnegie Foundation commission concluded that our capacity to innovate and thrive as adults depends on a foundation of math and science learning. The benefits of early STEM education are numerous, but many parents and teachers wonder how to implement these concepts at an early age. It is never too early to begin, and the best place to start is where children's curiosity naturally lies: out in nature. Exposure to animals and their environments—whether in nature or in a book—is often at the root of a child’s interest in science. Young Jane Goodall loved to observe the wildlife near her home, a passion that inspired her groundbreaking chimpanzee research. Charles Turner, pioneering entomologist, spent hours reading about ants and other insects in the pages of his father’s books. Rachel Carson began writing stories about squirrels when she was eight. Spark curiosity in a child and watch them develop a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. By simply allowing them to to tap into their natural and innate curiosity about the living world and encouraging them to ask questions, you are engaging children in STEM. Children's Experiential Learning in Nature Nature provides young children with opportunities to develop their own understanding of STEM concepts by observing and interacting with the physical world. For example, children can grasp a complex concept like the water cycle by observing puddles growing larger during a rainstorm and subsequently shrinking on a sunny day. Going for walks and keeping a nature journal fosters observation and critical thinking skills. Moments of STEM learning aren't reserved for special activities; they happen all the time, everywhere. Our job as parents and educators is to draw out our children's inner scientists and give them the tools they need to make observations and connections. While out in nature with your child, ask "what" questions rather than "why" questions. "What"questions focus on what your child is noticing and doing, and open the door for you to explore the natural world together. "Why" questions imply there is one correct answer to a question, which can discourage a child's natural curiosity. Asking a child, "Why does a rock sink in water?" is very different than asking "What happens when we put a rock in water?" Early STEM Education and Literature The same way children naturally love to interact with nature, their innate love of books and illustrations provides early STEM education opportunities. But the benefits don't stop there! More than a simple scientific introduction, animal stories are an instance and an analogy of caring love. Showing children attachment in the natural world fosters empathy, kindness, and compassion in both their interpersonal and interspecies interactions. The "Beginnings" Collection This is where Science Naturally can help! Our Beginnings collection of STEM books for the early years has something to spark or sustain budding curiosity in any child. These stunningly illustrated, information-packed titles introduce youngsters to the wonderful world of animals, and, by extension, to themselves. They encourage children to make real-world connections that sharpen their analytical skills and give them a head start in STEM. Reading these titles together inspires children to think about how each species matures, what they need to survive, and what their communities look like—whether pride, flock, or family.

Summer is here--and that means fun in the sun! But for many kids it also means losing important academic skills. During the summer months, many children lose critical math and literacy skills learned from the previous school year. Students returning to school after a lengthy summer break will have lost one to three months’ worth of learning. Studies show that on average, teachers end up spending four to six weeks re-teaching things their students learned in the previous school year. And where is most of this loss? Math and Science! According to MetaMetrics, Inc., all students, no matter their socio-economic status, lose math skills over the summer break. Of course, most children and their families want to enjoy summer, but children need to read every day in order to maintain and even improve their reading skills. Recent studies show that summer learning loss does not improve with student age. The NWEA states in a recent article that in the summer following third grade, students lose 27 percent of their school-year gains in math. By the summer after seventh grade, students lose a whopping 50 percent of their school-year gains in math. In other words, the need to prioritize STEM summer learning only increases as your child progresses through elementary and middle school. How Science, Naturally STEM Books Help Combat Summer Learning Loss Our STEM fiction and non-fiction books can help your child combat STEM summer reading loss, as well as maintain their critical thinking and math and science skills! It’s a win-win for summer! Reading over the summer is incredibly important for students and their academic achievement. Children who don't read over the summer don't just feel like they've forgotten some of what they've learned -- they actually do forget it. And the effect is cumulative. -Madison Public Libraries If your child loves fiction, they can get lost in engaging and entertaining stories that weave science and math together into these great adventures! Our Science Explorations Book Set is perfect for the adventurous summer reader! Our One Minute Mysteries series books are perfect for taking along with you on your summer adventures in the car or on a plane. These books have brainteasers and puzzles that take one minute to read and test your knowledge and critical thinking. The 101 Things Everyone Should Know About... books have a fun question and answer format that helps simplify and demystify math and science concepts with entertaining real world connections in sports, travel, food, weather and more. The good news for students and parents alike is that summer STEM learning is FUN! Making math and science learning fun for children, especially over the summer, is an integral part of creating lifelong learners. The summer is a perfect time to spend time learning together: explore new worlds, solve mysteries, learn interesting facts, and keep pace with summer learning all at the same time!