Family Game Helps With Beginning Math Skills

I'm not sure which has brought more delight: playing this game as a child, or playing it with my own children. It matters not that the box is shabby; the Annie "Path to Happiness" Game has been the object of many good times. Only as an adult homeschooler did I realize the math and analytical skills that are sneaked into the fun.

Here is what the board looks like:

I highly recommend this game for any family, but especially to parents of students who are learning beginning math facts. It should be available on Amazon, eBay, or elsewhere on the Internet. The object is to be the player with the most stars at the end of the game. 

There is only one "man," the red rectangle with Annie's picture, that moves back and forth. If the square has a red or white die, the player rolls only that color. However, things get interesting on other squares, as both dice must be rolled. The smaller number is always subtracted from the larger. If the larger number is on a red die, then the player moves forward that many spaces; if it's on white, then the player must move back that many spaces. For instance:

In this case, the player would think, 6-4=2. He or she moves back two, since the bigger number is white. If it were reversed and the six had been red, then the player would move forward two. Also, if the player rolls doubles, then the numbers are added together. For example, Herman rolls three on both dice. He thinks, 3+3=6. Herman then counts six spaces both ways, forward and backward. He then gets to decide which space he wants to choose: the one six ahead, or six backward. There are lots of decisions to be made in this game, in "addition" (sorry, bad pun!) to the addition and subtraction.

Here is a closeup of the end section of the game. Players can land on a "Go to" space that enables them to advance and earn three stars. Certain spaces require giving a star to another "orphan," or allowing the others to get stars from the pot, known as "Miss Hannigan." When landing on "Roll for Stars," the player rolls both dice. He or she either earns the difference (when the red star is bigger), or has to give the difference back to Miss Hannigan (when the white star has the bigger number). The same happens in "Roll Against an Orphan," except the player either takes from another player, or has to give the difference to that player, depending on who rolls the higher number. 

I love to share good finds and ideas with other parents. This game will provide enrichment to all children, either during homeschooling, or in after-school hours. I have wonderful memories of playing it for hours with my Dad, and my children will cherish their own memories of it, too. It's a blessing to be able to experience this game from both sides, as a child and also a parent.

Papi & Community

My grandfather died 14 years ago today. He was Antonio Jimenez Blanco, known to his friends as just Blanco, and to me as Papi. Every year until now, I have dreaded February 16. This year, I feel content, as God reveals new ideas that I'm realizing were influenced by Papi, and I see them spilling over into my own life.

I used to think I was weird for noticing details about people, like remembering their names, or knowing their birthdates. Most folks seem not to care much for details, and we often aren't taught to notice. We plow through life, taking and consuming meager crumbs which are expected to satisfy. In the meantime, we bypass a feast because we won't make time to stop, and have no idea why we're left empty.

I'm grateful for the focus God is giving, the yearning for community and what's good. I'm unable to concentrate and focus among the masses, but I can get to know individuals and the details of their hearts. God has woven community into my life's tapestry; Papi demonstrated it, and my grandmother, Abue, still does, even at age 96. 

How unfortunate that our culture diminishes the art of being intentional! Community takes time, but we're "busy" filling ours with empty activities. Also, people are messy; getting involved in the details of their lives is often more than what we bargained for. What my grandparents and others have shown me by living their lives in a counterculture way is that true living involves living slowly, in small, close-knit community. For them it wasn't hard work; it was just life. 

I can either bemoan the treadmill of our society, or I can choose to be intentional about living differently. Other cultures remain community-oriented, and I'm grateful that my grandparents never abandoned their Cuban traditions when they came to this country. Our own country was much more community-focused in the days of our grandparents, but many today want to leave archaic ways behind and not put time into real relationships.

Before going further, I give the disclaimer that I have not achieved this. My days seem full enough with homeschooling and housework. The Holy Spirit is starting to remind me of the example set by Abue and Papi, however, and giving me the desire to cultivate deep relationships. "Community" isn't having 1,000 Facebook friends, or traveling from activity to activity until everyone is exhausted. Rather, it involves few intimate friends, and a little time, like one night to invite friends over, or an hour over coffee with someone while the kids play. It's not too late to resurrect just "stopping by" for a few minutes like they did in the olden days.

A gathering of Burtnett family members (some of them distant relatives)
in Charleston, WV, circa 1960. My Dad is the boy in the photo,
between his grandfather and father (my other grandfather).
Togetherness like this was common, as I have albums full of
similar photos taken at various times....and the adults all
dressed for the occasion, too!

As God further plants the desire for community and being intentional into my heart, He gives me more courage to be the real me with others. I believe our culture is afraid of getting deep because we'd have to remove our masks and learn who we really are. I also grow in admiration for my predecessors, those whose blood is in my veins, that seemed to "do life" with others so naturally. It's how God meant for us to live, and because we swim upstream, life is stressful. 

The Burtnetts knew how to do life together. Here they are in
the late 1940's "at Sleepy Hollow."

We are under the impression today community means spending a lot of money on a party, or doing something elaborate. We go "all out" once or twice a year, and live the remainder of the time holed-up. My grandparents knew that a simple cake and a few bottles of soda were enough. I love to make coffee or tea and enjoy a piece of pie or a cookie with a friend or family member. Pretty patterned napkins can be purchased on the cheap, and add a touch of elegance.

Abue and Papi with my Mom and aunt,
celebrating in Cuba over cake, sandwiches,
and bottles of pop.

Papi and me, about 25 years later,
celebrating in SC over cake, canned pop,
and fake fruit.

We have a group affiliated with our church that meets in our home each Wednesday. Home groups are a wonderful way to be in community, and to get to know people on a personal, deep level. As tired as we may be, we agree that we're always glad that we got together. Folks arrive at 5:30 for Bible study and discussion, then we enjoy a meal together. Everyone contributes: main dishes, sides, and desserts. The women usually sit together at one table, and the men at another. We laugh, cry, enjoy each other, and dig deep. Even if only two people can attend, we still have our group. Deep growth happens whether all or just a few are here.

One Wednesday night during the Christmas season.
We are some eatin' folks!

Celebrating our friend Michael's birthday at his house.
We try to alternate eating at each other's homes every few weeks.

Thank you, Papi and others, for showing me what community and simple living are about. It's worth it to take the small steps required in getting to know others better. I find that when I am intentional about knowing others in a simple, profound way, then I learn more about myself, too. It can be scary to put oneself out there and be known. Christ Himself did it, experiencing the realness of others, and even being betrayed. We should take the risks that He took; Jesus is the ultimate example of what it looks like to live in community: discipling, living, fellowshipping, laughing, loving, weeping, confiding, growing, being known, and not being scared to see people without their masks. 

My grandparents and their community, enjoying a meal together in the mid 1980's.
Papi is standing on the left, and Abue is seated next to last on the right, holding her glass of wine.

I'm grateful and content to remember Papi and his Christlike example today. Gracias por tu ejemplo.

A Sensitive Heart is Not a Curse

I'm chewing on a new nudge the Holy Spirit has given me: Sensitivity of the heart and mind is not a curse, but a blessing. This is such a part of my life, I can't begin to touch the surface of it in a blog post. The condensed version is this: When I hear or see things, I can be extremely sensitive to the information and/or image presented, sometimes to the point of being mentally bogged down and not being able to get past it. 

My friend, Jenny, describes this beautifully in her blog post, "It's a HSP Thing." When I read this a while back, I agreed and identified with it, and put the term "highly sensitive person" (HSP) on the back-burner (after all, there's so much at the front of my mind already!). Jenny shed light for me, but at the time, I was thinking more about one of my children and not about myself.

Anyone who reads my blog or knows me intimately is aware of my mind battles. For all of my life, I have considered them a curse, something to "struggle" with for the rest of my life, a constant "fight AND flight" response about so many things I see and hear. For instance, one day I heard a horrific story on the news about what a mother had done to her baby girl. I choose not to repeat it here for myself and others, as it stayed with me all night and for days after. See, I don't just hear news items; they become real in my mind, almost as if I feel them.

The enemy has attempted to make me hate that my mind is this way, that I envision and feel things. My counselor-friend once told me something astounding. He said that the Lord created me as someone with extreme empathy, that is, when I hear someone else's problem, I literally put myself in their shoes and feel their pain. I responded that I wasn't sure I wanted to have that trait! However, when I think about it, didn't Christ Himself feel everyone's pain? Am I not called to "know Him...and the fellowship of His sufferings..."? (Philippians 3:10, my emphasis). Yikes. In taking off the masks I've worn for so long, I'm seeing that who I really am is someone it might be painful to be, but the reward comes in knowing Christ and being known by Him.

As I've stated in past posts, in seeking healing for many life wounds, the enemy has used my sensitive mind against me, having me "see" atrocities I've never dreamed of thinking about before. There have been days when thoughts or images suffocate me all day and night. What Satan should have anticipated, though, was that it has only brought me closer to Christ, and for that I am thankful. Again, it is through suffering that we know and are brought closer to the Lord. "He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psalm 23:3).

Anyway, the other day I was on the Facebook newsfeed, which, because of my mind, I wish I could filter. I come across countless ads and stories that I wish I didn't have to look at, and for that reason, I tread carefully. I saw an image that went with an article (fake, according to Snopes), but all it took was a split-second glance, and the photo was etched. I won't describe it, but it was grotesque. My husband couldn't see the big deal since it was fake, but those without such sensitive minds don't always grasp the magnitude of one little story or image.

Incidentally, the enemy has been using this sensitivity against me all my life. As a child, and during my teenage years, I saw and later allowed myself to be exposed to numerous ideas, images, and stories that stripped my innocence and  have changed life as I should have lived it. Now, as an adult, I see the damage that unfiltered eyes and ears can cause, and am having to undo multiple lies I've believed about who I am and how God sees me.

Back to my story...
So, I had this image from Facebook locked in my mind, and couldn't let it go. I remembered Jenny's HSP article and emailed her about it. I cried out to the Lord and asked, "What on earth is wrong with me?! Why can other people just mosey along and see all kinds of things, and sleep fine at night? Why do I hang on to these images and notions?" And He answered the way He did once before when I asked pretty much the same question: God meant for us all to be sensitive toward things that are repulsive. 

Our culture is de-sensitized. We watch revolting pornographic scenes in movies like it's no big deal. We hear about human beings in the womb being stabbed with scissors because they are considered inconvenient, and it's as ordinary as the weather. Heck, we even watch videos of it, and don't give it a second thought. We look at pictures of animals mistreated and mangled, and it's just another story. No, being "overly sensitive" is not a curse; it's a blessing.

I should be overly concerned about what I'm putting before my eyes, because it goes into my heart, and I am warned to "keep [my] heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). I should be horrified at some of the images and stories I see and hear, as if they're no big deal. It should bother me that certain things are happening in the world, and I should be cringing and refusing to hear more about it. And for believers in Christ, we should seek to honor Him in all we see...and all we think about.

We live in a culture of T.M.I. Where do we draw the line? I've been accused of having "my head in the sand," but that's okay. I know what's too much. If a person is squeamish about blood, others understand. If someone is intolerant to gluten, no one else questions it. I contend that all of us were designed to guard our hearts against the filth that has infiltrated our culture, but most just aren't sensitive to it anymore. Either that, or it just isn't cool to be a "prude," as the world sees it.

I do know it is cool to have a clean mind and heart. It is productive to be surrounded by beautiful things. It is wise to use discernment about what is good and what is unhealthy to put into our heads. A person isn't tougher or "more hip" because they can "handle" certain images; that's a lie. I'm trusting God to keep me intentional, and to continue to renew my heart and mind. I believe that after more healing, He will have me fully embrace my sensitive mind. I'm not completely there, but well on the way to viewing it as a blessing.

Adding Life to Math

Math has always seemed cut and dried to me, and yesterday I was thinking about my second grader's addition and subtraction facts. She knows how to find the answer to, say, 4+3, by counting on her fingers. I have no problem with this, but feel strongly that it's time to start doing the dreaded work of memorization. I want the facts to come easily and quickly, without her having to think about them.

I discovered these nice printables from worksheetfun.com, and made a booklet out of addition facts for each number: 2,3,4...all the way to 9. 

My original plan was to have her do the left column one day, skip one up (move to the 3's, for instance) the next day, then go back and review. A friend suggested also having her write them out several times. Sometimes work like this has to be mundane.

But if I think like Charlotte Mason, there can be an element of fun, too. Charlotte wanted her students to think in terms of real life, and I agree. How could my child understand what all of this means? How can we teach the dry facts, but make them come alive?

I took a plastic cup from the kitchen and filled it with about 12 slips of paper, each one containing a "fun" noun. Here are some examples:

As my girl completed each problem, I had her take a slip of paper from the cup. With each problem, we used the noun to make the sum come alive. For example: 
Teacher: "If you already have 2 birthday gifts, and receive 2 more, how many do you have now?" 
Student: "Four!"
Teacher: "Why?"
Student: "Because 2+2=4."

We went all the way down the column, my girl delighting in choosing a new noun for every problem, with me having to think fast to ask questions!
"If there are two poodles at the pet store, and six more arrive, how many are there now?" 
"Eight!"
"Why?"
"Because 2+6=8!"

This works for subtraction, multiplication, and division as well. Sonya Shafer conducted an informative workshop at the Grace to Build conference last fall, and demonstrated this teaching style for our group. The teacher asks the question, the student answers, but it's most important for the child to express the why in the form of the equation.

I extended this to my 3rd grader's math page today as well:

From Horizons Math, Level 2, Book 2.

Of course, after seeing her sister have all the fun, she was itching to get in on the action!

Teacher: "If ten missionaries each want to take five Bibles to Africa, how many total Bibles do we need to collect?"

Student: "Fifty."

Teacher: "Why?"

Student: "Because 10x5=50."

Teacher: "If there are two kids and they each get three tennis balls, how many total tennis balls are there?"

Student: "Six."

Teacher: "Why?"

Student: "Because 2x3=6."

Doing plain math facts with a Charlotte Mason flair makes math real and much more fun. The girls can't wait to see what will be on the next slip of paper, and they even get to practice reading the words, too. I hope this helps homeschoolers who need to "add" a little life to their math! Pun intended.