My boys have been in love with Freight Train for a long time!! It was one of the first books my oldest ever checked out of the library. We got lucky and got it in the mail through a book program our county has for kids under 6yr. YAY, love when we get books that are already favorites we did not have in our home library, lol. We have a lot of books but I love it that way. Super stoked that this month’s Preschool Book Club is exploring Donald Crews’ Freight Train. It was a little tense when my first activity bombed but not to be defeated I finally came up with a new and improved idea. Freight Train Math Game was a big hit with my kids. Mommy save for the day.
First take the foam rectangles and cut in half. Then take each “card” and write the number 1-9 on the nine cards. On the back I wrote simple subtraction problems. On the front of the card with a 1, flip it over and write 1-1= 2-1=. I wrote 2 math problems per card. I used rainbow craft foam to make our game cards.
Once you have your cards, have the kids or you set up the Duplo Train. The train came with numbered blocks but this would be easy to put number stickers on plain blocks as well. Little brother would pick one of the numbers 1-9 from the train blocks. He then picked the matching number card. After choosing the card he flipped it over reveling simple subtraction math problems. We had a few extra stacks of blocks sitting to the side. We took the extra blocks to work out the math problems. For 2-2 we took 2 blocks and sat them with the card. I told him what would we have left if we took those 2 blocks away. He said we would have nothing. Yes, I told him. Nothing, or zero. He caught on quick. After each card we went on to a new number and a new card solving lots of subtraction problems along the way. This is little brothers first time at home being introduced to subtraction. He did really well with it.
This game can be modified to use with simple counting, simple addition, or even simple color match up for the younger ones in our lives. I can see using this same setup many more times.
Exploring Books Through Play 50 activities based on books about friendship, acceptance, and empathy is a great collection of idea to use along with each book. These books share such great lessons for all of us to learn. The fun stories make it easy to get a conversation started with kids or for the younger ones to introduce the ideas to them. I had so much fun working on this project with Homegrown Friends, Mama Papa Bubba, Buggy and Buddy, and Sugar Aunts. I hope you and your kids can have just as much fun with these book inspired activities too.
Hi! I am Jaime, mama to three high energy boys. With three boys, life never slows down, but I wouldn't have it any other way! We love creating, learning, and crafting together and we can turn anything into an adventure.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
What an amazingly cute way to make maths more fun!
Loved it!
-FarZain
@http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/
Love this tactile way to explore math combining it with literacy! Great idea Jaime! Sharing and pinning 🙂