# data[].attributes.body
Great tips for parents and care givers to support learning at home

# data[].attributes.body
by Jo Boaler

# data[].attributes.headline
How Parents Can Support Students learning Science

# data[].attributes.subject
How Parents Can Support Students learning Science

# data[].attributes.body
How to raise smarter children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Raise Smarter Children | Neil deGrasse Tyson | Goalcast

# data[].attributes.body
This website is dedicated to helping parents support their children’s mathematical development. We know we need to read with our children every day, but what should we do for math? Answer: Talk about math with them as we and they encounter numbers and shapes in our everyday lives.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Parents know that we need to read 20 minutes a day with our kids.

But teaching math to your kids doesn't have to be intimidating. It can be fun. Just as children say goodnight to the moon, they can say hello to numbers, shapes and measurement.

Talking Math with Your Kids provides ideas and products that get children and caregivers talking about math with creativity and joy.

Whether you're reading books on the couch, cooking dinner, running errands, or scheduling your day, opportunities for math talk abound.

This website collects research about, and examples of, math talk with children. Each post offers suggestions for adapting the examples for your own children, interests, and lives.

Enjoy and let me know how those conversations are going in your home. Use the contact form to ask questions, send feedback or to send along a conversation for highlighting on this site.
Thanks for reading. Read more about Christopher

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Parents know that we need to read 20 minutes a day with our kids. But teaching math to your kids doesn't have to be intimidating. It can be fun. Just as children say goodnight to the moon, they can say hello to numbers, shapes and measurement.

# data[].attributes.body
Grades 3 and up time to practice multiplication facts!

# data[].attributes.body
All grade levels

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn More at mathantics.com
Visit http://www.mathantics.com for more FREE math videos and additional subscription based content!

# data[].attributes.body
by Jo Boaler

# data[].attributes.body
No need to buy the book, you can print the puzzles for free!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Sharing these fun puzzles with your kids is a great way to get them thinking mathematically and solving problems in a fun and engaging way! Try these free puzzles with YOUR kids today!
Do you want the latest Free Math Puzzles for All Grade Levels in your inbox every week? ➜ Sign-up for our weekly newsletter and start getting free stuff today!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sharing these fun puzzles with your kids is a great way to get them thinking mathematically and solving problems in a fun and engaging way! Try these free puzzles with YOUR kids today! Do you want the latest Free Math Puzzles for All Grade Levels in your inbox every week?

# data[].attributes.headline
Choose from these 10 ideas to keep your kids entertained and learning this summer!

# data[].attributes.subject
Choose from these 10 ideas to keep your kids entertained and learning this summer!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The following list of math project ideas are perfect for keeping your students engaged during the final weeks of the school year (or at any other time as well). These activities can be adapted to all grade and ability levels and are included in my 21 Time-Saving Strategies, Activities, and Ideas All Math Teachers Should Know.

The final weeks of the school year have arrived and finding ways to keep your kids actively engaged in the math classroom is more challenging than ever.

Having students work on math-related projects is a great way to keep their attention and break up the monotony of the normal classroom routine.

The following list of project ideas can be modified to appropriately challenge and engage math students at the elementary and middle school levels.

So, which project are you going to share with your kids?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Awesome End of Year Math Project Ideas - Mashup Math

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The following list of math project ideas are perfect for keeping your students engaged during the final weeks of the school year (or at any other time as well). These activities can be adapted to all grade and ability levels and are included in my 21 Time-Saving Strategies, Activities, and Ideas All Math Teachers Should Know .

# data[].attributes.headline
NUMBER TALK IDEAS! Engage in meaningful conversations with your child.

# data[].attributes.subject
NUMBER TALK IDEAS! Engage in meaningful conversations with your child.

# data[].attributes.body
Number Talk more math visuals!

Number Talk - same of different?

Number talks –Which one doesn’t belong?

Blog: Why should you use WODB to ignite student thinking in Math

Number Talk different pictures

Number Talk different types of ideas to choose from!

Steve Wybourney- Splat math- number talks

Estimation 180 Number Talks

Number Talks Would You Rather...

Always, Something, Never - Ideas for Number Talks

# data[].attributes.body
For all grade levels!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
"math songs" "telling time" "3d shapes" "times table song" "math videos" "multiplication song" fractions measurement "skip counting" numberock "3rd grade" "4...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We make animated, educational songs for kids that make math learning more fun and math teaching more effective! To date we have created nearly 70 animated videos that cover mathematical concepts from 1st Grade - 5th Grade; with concepts like; Rounding Numbers, Ordering Decimals, Subtraction with Regrouping, 3D Shapes, Angles, Place Value, Multiplication Times Tables and much more!

# data[].attributes.body
Practical Ideas for parents by Steve Leinwand

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Please use MathPickle in your classrooms. If you have improvements to make, please contact me. I'll give you credit and kudos 😉 For a free poster of MathPickle's ideas on elementary math education go

# data[].attributes.headline
Speed and Time Pressure Blocks Working Memory

# data[].attributes.subject
Speed and Time Pressure Blocks Working Memory

# data[].attributes.body
by Jo Boaler

# data[].attributes.body
by Jo Boaler

# data[].attributes.body
by Miles Kimball and Noah Smith

# data[].attributes.headline
Visual math activities to do with your child

# data[].attributes.subject
Visual math activities to do with your child

# data[].attributes.body
From Jo Boaler

# data[].attributes.body
Videos with strategies to build understanding

# data[].attributes.body
For all grade levels!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Access our complete library of Elementary Math Video Lessons (100% free with your Gmail account) by subscribing to our YouTube channel. We add new free videos and corresponding worksheets every week!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Access our complete library of Elementary Math Video Lessons (100% free with your Gmail account) by subscribing to our YouTube channel. We add new free videos and corresponding worksheets every week!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Here are links to some of our favorite online mathematical games! Hover over the pictures to get a description of each one. Know a great math game that's not our list? Let us know in the comments or by email.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here are links to some of our favorite online mathematical games! Hover over the pictures to get a description of each one. Know a great math game that's not our list? Let us know in the comments or by email. Math Munch Team Favorites Featured Games Even More Games

# data[].attributes.headline
Five ideas for your child to write about math!

# data[].attributes.subject
Five ideas for your child to write about math!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Writing about math encourages creativity, exploration, and communicating one's thoughts and feelings. Students must organize their thinking, use key vocabulary terms and phrases, and communicate mathematically-which leads to deep and meaningful understanding.

And teachers can use students' writing to assess their learning. When you can read exactly what a student is thinking, you can easily pinpoint how they understand a topic and where their strengths and weaknesses are.

So, are you ready to give your students more opportunities to write about what they are learning in math class? Here are five ideas that are sure to get you started:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 Ideas for Writing in the Elementary Math Classroom - Mashup Math

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Writing about math encourages creativity, exploration, and communicating one's thoughts and feelings. Students must organize their thinking, use key vocabulary terms and phrases, and communicate mathematically-which leads to deep and meaningful understanding. And teachers can use students' writing to assess their learning.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Loading...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Math Games and Videos for the Common Core | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Mathematics Common Core State Standards (CCSSM) focus on what students should understand and be able to do in their study of mathematics.

# data[].attributes.headline
13 Fiction books your child will enjoy reading this summer!

# data[].attributes.subject
13 Fiction books your child will enjoy reading this summer!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Are you looking to send your kids off on vacation with a list of awesome summer reading STEM fiction books?

The following list shares some fun and creative summer reading STEM books for the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The genres range from math science fiction to cooking to mystery, so you're kids will surely find something they'll enjoy reading!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
13 STEM Fiction Books Your Kids will Actually Enjoy Reading This Summer - Mashup Math

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Are you looking to send your kids off on vacation with a list of awesome summer reading STEM fiction books? The following list shares some fun and creative summer reading STEM books for the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The genres range from math science fiction to cooking t

# data[].attributes.body
NCTM

# data[].attributes.body
(no need to buy the book, just print)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Boost Engagement, Change Attitudes, Improve Results GET FREE MATH RESOURCES

# data[].attributes.body
(needs VPN to open)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazing pets, epic battles and math practice. Prodigy, the no-cost math game where kids can earn prizes, go on quests and play with friends all while learning math.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Can Your Middle Schoolers Solve These Math Puzzles? — Mashup Math

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Are you looking for some fun, printable math games and puzzles for your middle school students? These 5 math challenges will engage your students and get them thinking creatively and visually about math topics including fractions, areas models, the order of operations, and even algebra! So, can yo

# data[].attributes.body
Online practice by grade level

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser.

# data[].attributes.body
Online practice by grade level

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The exact skills you need

Planning a lesson or prepping for an exam?
We've custom-built IXL skills to reinforce each topic within your:

State standards

Virginia Standards of Learning (2016)

Textbooks

See skills that match every chapter of 80+ popular textbooks

Assessments

Use IXL for the NWEA MAP, ACT, SAT, and more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
IXL | Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
IXL is the world's most popular subscription-based learning site for K-12. Used by over 15 million students, IXL provides personalized learning in more than 10,000 topics, covering math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. Interactive questions, awards, and certificates keep kids motivated as they master skills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Assistant Headteacher, KS2 leader and parent Emma Johnson shares the best fun maths games and maths activities for kids to play at home.
All these educational games are suitable for Key Stage 2 (KS2) children and most of them can be adapted for Key Stage 1 (KS1).

This blog is part of our series of blogs designed for teachers, schools and parents supporting home learning.

As well as providing some family fun, these maths games for kids have the added advantage of presenting learning opportunities in a way that means that children may not even realise they're learning!

They are also fun way to practise a wide range of KS1 and KS2 mathematical skills, such as counting, place value, times tables and much much more.

Time is scarce as a parent, but it's important to make time for maths games & activities with your child!

We all know how rushed life can be and we can sometimes feel guilty we aren't spending enough time supporting our children with their learning at home.

Now you can! Here you've got:

If you're a teacher or you have a specific age group in mind you might also like to take a look at our collections of games specifically chosen for different key stages at school.

So in short, if you're looking for fun maths games, we've got you covered!

3 best indoor maths games your kids can play at home

On rainy days, days off school or, during enforced periods of home schooling due to lockdowns, it can be hard to persuade children to practise their maths, but these activities should have your child enjoying maths at home in no time at all!

This game is a simple at home version of the TV favourite and can be played with any number of players.
What you need to play: How to play:
Each card can only be used once and the winner is the first person to reach the total, or the player who is closest after a set length of time.

The game can be adapted for younger children, by choosing the numbers on the cards carefully and having them aiming to reach a 2-digit number, rather than a 3-digit number.

Indoor maths game 2: Salute

This simple game is all about bringing together verbalisation and maths.
What you need to play: How to play:

Take Salute a step further using numbers up to 20.

Indoor maths game 3: Multiplication Bingo

Bingo is a perennially fun game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and this version puts a mathematical twist on this classic game, as a way to boost multiplication skills.
What you need to play: How to play:

Multiplication Bingo using the 5 times table.

3 most fun maths games and activities to do at home

One of the best ways to encourage a child to learn about anything is by making it fun, and that is exactly what these maths games are!

Fun maths game 1: Maths Problem Scavenger Hunt

All children enjoy a scavenger hunt, so why not make one based around maths?
What you need to play How to play:
Fun maths game 2: The Yes/No Game

This is another simple KS2 maths game that is loved by children in classrooms across the country! It's also a good way to get in practice of 2d shapes and 3d shapes, which as parents we can sometimes avoid.
What you need to play: How to play:

How the Yes/No game could play out using a triangle as the subject.

Fun maths game 3: Bang Bang

Bang bang is a great game for practising quick recall facts.
What you need to play: How to play
3 best hands on maths games and activities to do at home

Doing some hands on maths activities with your child is a great way to capture their full attention when you are doing maths at home, and these games have been created to do just that.

Hands on maths game 1: Five To One

This game not only tests children's verbalisation and problem solving skills, but it also brings an element of competition into doing maths at home, and we all know how much children love to 'win'!
What you need to play: How to play:
Hands on maths game 2: The 24 Game

This is a very simple game that will help your child practice their arithmetic skills, and it is a game they can play with a group of friends.
What you need to play:

A pack of playing cards (The number cards only)
How to play:
Hands on maths game 3: 5 Of A Kind

This is a tricky maths card game that will truly put your child's (and maybe even your) maths skills and knowledge to the test. It's a maths game for KS2 children really - you're likely to end up in confusion if you suggest it to a KS1 child.
What you need to play: How to play:
If for example, the player chose a 5. They would then need to use one or more of the cards to find the answer 1, 2, 3...... To make 1, they could do 5 ÷ 5, to make 2 they could do (5 ÷ 5) + (5 ÷ 5) etc....

An example slide from a Third Space lesson on ordinal numbers; tutor & child work through these type of activities together to help practise and embed mathematical knowledge.

3 best outdoor maths games and activities to do at home

Whether you realise it or not, the great outdoors and maths go hand in hand, and these outdoor maths games and activities should serve as inspiration about how you can help your child learn maths while outdoors!

Outdoor maths game 1: Life Size Board Games

Board games are a fun way to spend time with the family, but have you ever thought about actually becoming part of the board game?

To help your child learn maths outside, you can easily make a life size board game and become the characters in the game.
What you need to play:

Paper plates (or even just sheets of paper will do)

A large dice (or a cube shaped box which can be made into a dice)

A dose of creativity!

How to play:
Outdoor maths game 2: Multiplication Hopscotch

Everyone knows how to play hopscotch, but by introducing maths into the mix you can take this traditional playground game to the next level.
What you need to play: How to play:
The other great thing about this game is this can be done with one person, or if friends are visiting everyone can join in and have a go.

Outdoor maths game 3: Telling The Time Activity

Time is one of those things many children find tricky, but this game will help your child tackle this topic.
What you need to play: How to play:
More fun maths for kids

3 fun maths dice games to play at home

Whilst some classroom resources may be a little hard to come by at home, most family homes have a dice or two lying around. With most board games coming prepackaged with a dice, dig them out of the cupboard and re-purpose them for these fun maths dice games.

And if you can't find one, make one - just draw out the 6 sides of a cube, stick them together, and you're ready to go. Try to get your opposite sides adding up to 7 as on the real thing.

Dice maths game 1: Skunk

This is the perfect game to teach your child all about probability, and whilst it seems like it would be easy to win, your child will soon find out that this isn't the case...
What you need to play: How to play
Dice maths game 2: The Pig Dice Game

This game is similar to the skunk game, but there only needs to be one player and one dice. However, even with only one dice things will still get tense!
What you need to play: How to play:
Dice maths game 3: Triangle Tower

This game is a great way to test your child's times tables skills, and it only takes two minutes to set up!
What you need to play: How to play:

Game extension idea
The game can include more challenging multiplication calculations by changing the numbers on the dice.

If one has the numbers 1-6 and the second has the number 7-12, the numbers each player has to choose from are (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 40, 42, 44, 45, 48, 50, 54, 55, 60, 66 and 72)

Alternatively, both dice marked with the numbers 7 - 12 would give the products 49, 56, 63, 64, 70, 72, 77, 80, 81, 84, 88, 90, 96, 99, 100, 108, 110, 120, 121, 132 and 144.

Read more: The best times tables games for KS1 and KS2 to play at school or home.

3 fun maths card games for kids to play at home

Along with dice, playing cards are one of the most versatile and underused maths resources that can be found in most family homes. Fortunately, these games are here to put an end to that!

Card maths game 1: The Biggest Number

Place value is a crucial skill for children to grasp during primary school, and this simple card game will help them to do that in visual and fun way.
What you need to play: How to play:
If you like this check out our other amazing place value games.

Card maths game 2: First To 100

This simple game is perfect for car journeys or the 10 minutes before dinner, and it will get your children practising their maths skills in a fun and exciting way!
What you need to play: How to play: Game extension idea
A variation on this game can be to start at 100 and keep subtracting until someone gets down to zero.

For older children, instead of adding the cards together, they can be multiplied each time, with the winner being the first to reach 1000.

Card maths game 3: Wild Jack

This is a fast paced maths card game for two or more players, where all eyes will be on the Jacks in the pack...
What you need to play: How to play:
3 best pen and paper maths games and activities to do at home

There is no need for fancy equipment when it comes to these maths game. A pen/pencil and a few sheets of paper are all you need to make maths fun at home!

Pen and paper maths game 1: Battleships

This is a KS2 maths game that most people will be familiar with, but it just so happens to be fantastic practice for coordinates.
What you need to play: How to play:
- One ship five squares long (the aircraft carrier)

- One ship four squares long (the battleship)

- Two ships three squares long (the cruiser and submarine)

- One ship two squares long (the destroyer)

Pen and paper maths game 2: Multiplication 4 In A Row

This game does the impossible, and manages to make learning multiplication facts fun.
What you need to play: How to play:

Pen and paper maths game 3: Dots And Boxes

This maths game is a classic, and the chances are high that some parents out there would have played this themselves when they were at school.

Please note, this game can be played by drawing dots on a page, but it is easier to download square dot paper and print it out.
What you need to play: How to play:
4 car games for kids: Fun road trip maths games for kids

You can put all shouts of "Are we there yettttt....." to bed with these four simple and fun maths games your children can play in the car.

Perfect for those long drives to far flung summer holiday destinations, these maths games have been designed to be very simple so they don't need quite as much detail as the other maths activities in this article!

Road trip maths game 1: Creative Counting

Simple counting games are great for younger children, with lots of opportunities for counting things they see - lorries, red cares, blue signs etc...

This could be made more challenging by changing how many points each is worth, so children could count up in twos or threes etc...

Road trip maths game 2: Guess My Number

This game can be easily adapted for any age.

Think of a number for the children to guess. Players have to ask questions that have a yes or no answer in order to identify the number.

For younger children they could be given a range within which the number falls, they call out a number and are given 'higher' or 'lower until they reach it.

A more challenging version of the game would be to give players a range of clues, e.g. If the number was 50, they could give the clues 'It's an even number'. 'it's divisible by 2, 5, 10 and 25', 'it's equal to two quarters'. You could also require that the questions the children ask are of a similar nature eg 'is the number divisible by 3?' , 'does the number end in a 7' etc.

Road trip maths game 3: Guess My Rule

An alternative to guessing the number, in this game players have to try and guess the rule.

Players give a number whilst the person leading the game applies a mystery rule and tells the players what the new number is.

For example: If the rule is multiply by 10, one player would give the number, e.g. 37 and they would be given the answer once the rule has been applied, so in this instance they would be given the answer of 370.

Road trip maths game 4: The 21 Game

This is a fun strategy game, played with two or more players, who take it in turns to count up from 1.

Each player can call out one, two or three consecutive numbers, before it moves to the next player to carry on counting up.

The player who ends up saying '21' is out of the game. The game then continues, counting back up from 1 to 21, until there is only one person left. They are the winner.

Read more

Maths games are all around us!

There are of course many more simple maths games which can be enjoyed at home, and they are only limited by your creativity.

Hopefully these ideas will give you a starting point, but why not get really creative and create some games of your own! Or if you're looking for more ways to engage children with maths, try Third Space Learning's online maths lessons.

Online 1-to-1 maths lessons trusted by schools and teachers
Every week Third Space Learning's maths specialist tutors support thousands of primary school children with weekly online 1-to-1 lessons and maths interventions. Since 2013 we've helped over 100,000 children become more confident, able mathematicians. Learn more or request a personalised quote to speak to us about your needs and how we can help.

Our online tuition for maths programme provides every child with their own professional one to one maths tutor

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
25 Fun Maths Activities And Games For Kids To Do At Home

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Assistant Headteacher, KS2 leader and parent Emma Johnson shares the best fun maths games and maths activities for kids to play at home. All these educational games are suitable for Key Stage 2 (KS2) children and most of them can be adapted for Key Stage 1 (KS1).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Fourth grade math is full of new and important concepts. Fractions become more important, decimals show up for the first time, and division problems might have remainders! Make all the fourth grade common core math skills more fun with this roundup of free math games.

1. Make division fun with Remainders Wanted.

Fourth grade math students learn to divide larger numbers, often with remainders. In this game, the remainder is the goal! For each turn, students place a counter over a number on the board, then roll the die to see what number they'll be dividing it by. The remainder is their score for that turn!

Learn more: Teacher Scout Mom

2. Give them a heads up with Factor Frenzy Headbands.

Kids use dollar store headbands to hold cards showing multiplication products to their foreheads. Their partners try to get them to guess the number by telling them the factors, without saying the number itself.

Learn more: Teaching With a Mountain View

3. Strategize to win the Factor Game.

Write the numbers from 1 to 30 as shown. The first player marks a number (their score for that round). The second player then marks all the remaining factors of that number (which add up to their score for that round). Play continues until all numbers are marked.

Learn more: Cognitive Cardio

4. Introduce patterns by asking "What Do You Notice?"

Lay out a pattern problem and ask students to write down what they notice about it on sticky notes. Collect and talk about the notes to see which are helpful in finding the right number to fit the pattern. Award points to correct answers, if you like.

Learn more: Family Math Night

5. Guess then deduce with Number Pattern Solver.

Draw a circle and set a number range, then tell fourth grade math students you have a pattern in mind. As they begin guessing numbers, write them inside the circle if they fit the pattern, and outside if they don't. At first they'll just be guessing, but eventually they'll start to see a pattern emerge.

Learn more: Education.com

6. Roll to win Place Value Yahtzee.

These free printable Place Value Yahtzee boards include differentiated versions for various skill levels. Add some dice and you're ready to play!

Learn more: Games 4 Gains

7. Use playing cards to practice decimal place values.

Fourth grade math students take turns drawing cards, competing to build the highest possible number to the thousandths place.

Learn more: Games 4 Gains

8. Stack cards to learn expanded form.

Grab the free printable cards, then have kids roll the dice and choose a card that matches. They build the numbers on the included worksheet to get the total. For extra practice, have them write out the word names too.

Learn more: Kids Activities Blog

9. Have a rounding practice snowball fight.

Up for a little controlled chaos in the classroom? Write one number on each sheet of paper, underlining the place it should be rounded to. Pass out a few sheets per student, and have them crumple them up into "snowballs." Allow a 30-second safe "snowball fight," then have each student pick up a snowball and read the number out loud, rounding it correctly. Repeat!

Learn more: Tales From a Fourth Grade Math Nut

10. Multiply large numbers to get Three In a Row.

Fourth grade math students work on multi-digit multiplication by choosing one number from box A and one from box B. They multiply them together, while their partner checks their answer on a calculator. If they get it right, they place a marker on the free printable board. The goal is to get three spots in a row. (Savvy players will use rounding to determine which numbers to pick next!)

Learn more: The Polka-Dotted Teacher

11. Hold a Quotient Tournament.

Division problems go head-to-head to see which has the larger quotient. Students use the answer for each to complete the bracket for the next round.

Learn more: Education.com

12. Give Spoons an equivalent fraction twist.

Spoons is a classic and beloved card game where players race to match four-of-a-kind and grab a spoon in each round. In this version, they're racing to match equivalent fractions (get some free printable cards to use at the link).

Learn more: Games 4 Gains

13. Get those fractions in order.

Students draw fraction cards, swapping them out to build a series of four in ascending order. Learn how it works at the link.

Learn more: Math Geek Mama

14. Declare a fraction war with dominoes.

Each student draws a domino and positions it as a fraction. Then they compare the two to see whose is larger. The winning student keeps both dominoes. (See more cool ways to use dominoes for fraction games at the link.)

Learn more: Runde's Room

15. Line kids up for decimal practice.

Get fourth grade math students up and moving by assigning them numbers. Draw a six-digit number card, and have another student help them line up by saying things like, "The 9 is in the hundreds place." Once they're in line, ask some follow-up questions to confirm understanding. Learn more at the link.

Learn more: Two Sisters Teach

16. Use plastic eggs to match up fractions and decimals.

Snag some plastic eggs from the dollar store and write fractions on one half, with equivalent decimals on the other. Kids work to match them up.

Learn more: Meg Mac/Pinterest

17. Battle with area and perimeter to fill a graph page.

Roll the dice to see the dimensions of your next rectangle, then mark it on the board. Try to fill your page completely before your partner does! (Have students write the area and perimeter in each block for practice along the way.)

Learn more: Unschooling Conversations

18. Go on a measurement scavenger hunt.

Arm kids with measurement tools, then send them off to find objects that match the free printable challenge cards. Once they find it, they also need to convert the measurement within the same system (such as inches to feet).

Learn more: 123Homeschool4Me

19. Play geometry bingo.

Fourth grade math students are learning terms like line, ray, and types of angles. This free printable bingo game is a fun way to do it!

Learn more: You've Got This Math

20. Tape off your tables for protractor practice.

Use dry erase markers and masking tape to give students lots of angles to explore and measure! If you can't write on your tables, try using a big piece of butcher paper instead.

Learn more: Cursive and Crayons/Instagram

21. Fold shapes to discover symmetry.

Break students into groups and hand out a series of paper shapes. Challenge each group to experiment with folding their shapes to see which are symmetrical, and how many lines of symmetry they have.

Learn more: Teacher Trap
Need some additional fourth grade ideas? Check out the Best 4th Grade Science Experiments and Activities. Looking for even more? Try these 50 Ideas, Tricks, and Tips for Teaching Fourth Grade.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
21 Fantastic and Free Fourth Grade Math Games

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fourth grade math is full of new and important concepts. Fractions become more important, decimals show up for the first time, and division problems might have remainders! Make all the fourth grade common core math skills more fun with this roundup of free math games.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Teachers College Reading and Writing Project

# data[].attributes.body
There’s just so much science, nature, music, art, technology, storytelling and assorted good stuff out there that my kids (and maybe your kids) haven’t seen.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Kid Should See This: Educational videos for curious kids of all ages, a free resource for parents & teachers. Science, art, nature, animals, & more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
TED-Ed lessons on the subject Science & Technology. TED-Ed celebrates the ideas of teachers and students around the world. Discover hundreds of animated lessons, create customized lessons, and share your big ideas.

# data[].attributes.body
Kids and parents will love to LISTEN these podcasts. Build inquiry, wonder, and appreciation for the world around us!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Most podcasts aren't made with kids in mind. That's okay. But why is it so hard to find stuff you can listen to with your kid?

Really, it's a shame. Podcasts are an incredible medium for kids. Audio is imaginative, easy to consume, and you don't need to "make time" to listen to a podcast - prime listening time is when you're in a car. There are tons of educational TV shows and apps for kids. I believe there should be more podcasts for kids.

I've done the heavy lifting of combing through iTunes to find kid-friendly science podcasts. I've indicated where some podcasts are better suited to older or more mature kids based on content.

A quick disclaimer: I haven't listened to every episode of all of these podcasts. As most are not made with a young audience in mind, there could be material you deem inappropriate for your kids - and also, the definition of inappropriate varies with every family. But hopefully, this list will spur some great discoveries.

**Update: Finally, there's a listening app with ONLY content for kids! It's called Kids Listen, and it features a playlist curated especially for educational shows! It's now on the web, with an iOs app coming later this summer. The app is a great way to let your kids discover what they love. Now, back to the list:

Full disclosure, this is my own podcast. Tumble is all about the stories of science discovery - how science works, the bumps along the way to knowledge, and how we come to know what we know. It's hosted by me (a science radio producer) and my husband Marshall (a middle school teacher). Tumble is made with kids ages 6-12 in mind, but we often hear from parents that they love listening, because they always learn something, too. Check out our episodes on dark energy, vomiting robots, whale sharks, dinosaurs, and more!

If you've ever thought, "Hey, is there such a thing as a science podcast for kids?" you likely know about Brains On! Produced by Minnesota Public Radio, each episode is co-hosted by a kid. There's interviews, there's science songs, there's no end to interesting topics. Like farts!

3. The Show About Science

Warning: You will not find a science podcast cuter than this. It's hosted by a five year old who interviews adults about science. He's a surprisingly good interviewer, and curious in that very special five year old way. It's something great. Listen to the episode with Gross Science host Anna Rothschild.

4. But Why?

4. Aaron's World

Aaron started producing this show with his dad when he was six. He's now nine years old - that's impressive! The production quality is good, too. It's a science-focused narrative that takes place in prehistoric times. Go back and listen from the beginning.

5. Meanwhile in the Future

This is a show from Gizmodo about science, technology, and scenarios about future. What if the Earth stopped rotating around the sun? What if all diseases become resistant to antibiotics? What if a supernova happened in the galaxy next door? Okay, it's a little scary. It's better listening for older kids.

6. What's the Point

I can't help but recommend What's the Point, one of my favorite podcasts. It's a smart show that older kids who are into numbers might love. Host Jody Avirgan interviews people from all corners of the data world- from books to health to politics. The episode on how science works (or doesn't) is a must-listen, and the show recently went into the field to learn how data can help save an endangered bird species.

6. Transistor

Transistor is a STEM-focused podcast, brought to you by PRX (the same folks who help bring you Radiotopia.) Early episodes transformed scientists into science reporters, by pairing them with experienced producers. I loved the episode about food and fungus, hosted by a microbiologist. Mixed in are stories from independent producers sponsored by PRX's STEM Stories project. These are not all kid-appropriate (episodes about crime are generally more sensitive), so you should judge episode by episode.

8. Imaginary Worlds

Imaginary Worlds is a science fiction podcast, and it's so good, I'm calling it close enough. Science fiction lover Eric Molinsky crawls into every corner of science fiction culture, and talks to experts to get at the deeper truth behind the fictions. This is another one that's best for older kids who are into scifi, and judging episode by episode.

9. Science Friday

Okay, so you probably know about Science Friday. But have you really thought about the fact that it's available in podcast form? Personally, Fridays aren't great days for me to listen to the radio. Problem, solved. Thanks, podcasts!

10. Point of Discovery

This podcast brings you stories from research in the natural sciences. I love that the show focuses on the process of science - you hear from the people in the trenches.

11. 60 Second Science

Scientific American produces these little bursts of science that cover all sides of science. Perfect for when you're not ready to sit down for an entire science meal, but hungry enough for a science snack.

12. Star Talk Radio

Neil DeGrasse Tyson hosts. Need I say more?

13. People Behind the Science

This is an interview show that's great for older kids and adults who are curious about what it's like to be a scientist. In each episode, scientists from all different fields share their personal stories about what led them to do what they do, along with their successes and failures.

14. Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality

This is not your typical science podcast, but if your kids love Harry Potter and you love rationality, it's the perfect fit. It's fan fiction, in audio form.

From the website: "This is an alternate universe story, where Petunia married a scientist. Harry enters the wizarding world armed with Enlightenment ideals and the experimental spirit." Just go with it.

15. Eyes on Conservation

Got a kid who cares about wildlife? Good for you. This podcast features interviews with conservationists, talking about animals, research, and the big challenge of saving species. It's an offshoot of a conservation filmmaking company, so you'll also find videos and episodes about creating documentaries.

16. Curious Minds

This is a well produced show about science, technology and history. Episodes are about 45 minutes long, making them great for long car rides.

17. Origin Stories
18. The Adaptors
This is a podcast produced by the Leakey Foundation, so you know that means early human evolution, Jane Goodall, and other evolutionary interestingness. It's highly produced, and sounds like the best of NPR science reporting.

This is a podcast about climate change. Or, rather, adapting to climate change. So really, it's a podcast about people and the future. It's produced by a Science Friday alum, so you know it's quality.

19. NOAA podcasts
Note: I intentionally did not include podcasts you've likely already heard about, like Radiolab and This American Life. I excluded podcasts that are not actively publishing, too. If you have suggestions of off-the-beaten-path shows I've missed, please comment and let me know! I'd like to keep updating this list. I'd also love to hear from other people who believe there should be more podcasts for kids. Talk to me on Twitter , or on .
If you're into ocean science and you don't hate the government, you'll probably like NOAA's two podcasts. Diving Deeper deals with the ocean environment, and Making Waves is about the coast. It's like exploring the ocean without the scuba gear!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
19 Great Science Podcasts You Can Listen To With Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Most podcasts aren't made with kids in mind. That's okay. But why is it so hard to find stuff you can listen to with your kid? Really, it's a shame. Podcasts are an incredible medium for kids. Audio...

# data[].attributes.body
Tumble is all about the stories of science discovery — how science works, the bumps along the way to knowledge, and how we come to know what we know. Tumble is made with kids ages 6–12 in mind, Check out the episodes on dark energy, vomiting robots, whale sharks, dinosaurs, and more!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A SCIENCE PODCAST FOR KIDS

Tumble is a science podcast for kids, to be enjoyed by the entire family. We tell stories about science discoveries, with the help of scientists! Join Lindsay and Marshall as they ask questions, uncover mysteries, and share what science is all about.

"Often compared to a kid-friendly Radiolab, this podcast not only addresses fascinating topics but also tries to foster a love of science itself by interviewing scientists about their process and discoveries. Even kids who think they don't like science may change their minds after listening to this podcast."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Podcast | Tumble Science Podcast for Kids | Austin

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tumble is a science podcast for kids and grownups. We tell stories about science discoveries, with the help of scientists!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
TED-Ed lessons on the subject Science & Technology. TED-Ed celebrates the ideas of teachers and students around the world. Discover hundreds of animated lessons, create customized lessons, and share your big ideas.

# data[].attributes.headline
SCIENCE APPS AND ACTIVITIES TO DO AT HOME

# data[].attributes.subject
SCIENCE APPS AND ACTIVITIES TO DO AT HOME

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Play online or at home Tap Into Discovery With our interactive apps and activities, learners of all ages can unlock […]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If there's one thing parents envy about their kids, it's their uninhibited imaginations. Picture books are the perfect way to celebrate children's innate to ability imagine fantastic machines, invent new forms of travel and believe anything is possible. All of these books to inspire young inventors and engineers are also great for STEM and STEAM learning and for teaching growth mindset.

Spark your child's interest in inventing, or encourage the passion he already has with one of these books. I had so much fun making this list because I loved how illustrations in all of them got my kids talking about how they would invent something, or what changes they would make to the character's contraption. These are all fiction books rather than biographies of actual engineers - although one is based on a real life inventor. (Note: book covers and titles are affiliate links)

Be sure to also check out these great STEM books for kids!

Kids Books about Inventing and Engineering:

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, the team behind Iggy Peck, Architect. Imaginative Rosie loves to tinker, build and invent. She gets discouraged when her inventions flop on the first try. Her wonderfully eccentric great-great-great aunt, however, explains to her that a flop is a successes because it paves the way for the next step in the inventive process. I love this message because it encourages kids to keep trying and trying - that genius talent is not necessary for success. It's perseverance that helps us improve. The rhyming, winsome text is infectious and the illustrations are full of imaginative inventions that will get kids chatting. Also available: Ada Twist Scientist.

Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen. I was excited to find a second book about creative kids with a girl protagonist. I was rather afraid most books would star boys with tool belts! Violet Van Winkle is a mechanical genius. At the age of 2 she was fixing appliances, at the age of 8 she was inventing elaborate machines like the Tub-bubbler, a flying bathtub. She wants to win over her skeptical classmates and so builds a flying machine to enter into the Air Show. On the way to the show, Violet makes a decision that shows she is not just about engineering but she has a strong character as well. Kids will love the illustrations of all the flying machines Violet invents.

Papa's Mechanical Fish by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Boris Kulikov. This book was inspired by inventor Lodner Phillips, the creator of one of the first modern submarines. His family took an underwater trip in his invention in Lake Michigan in 1851. In this picture book the children observe their father inventing one "mechanical fish" after another. Determined to make a workable submarine, he tests each new invention out, adding improvements and starting over again. The narrator asks her father questions about fish, such as how they swim, how they see, etc. and each question inspires a new improvement of the machine. I love the way the whole family shows support and enthusiasm for the father's work, even though it is a bit eccentric. The onomonopoetic text adds a nice touch and kids will join in each "Clankety-bang!" and "Clacketa-claketa-clacketa!" Also available as an ebook.

Awesome Dawson by Chris Gall. I originally checked this one out from the library because the author wrote Dinotrux, a book my 4 year old adores. Dawson is a kid who has been inventing things since birth. He upcycles everything he can get his hands on and has a secret workshop in the basement. One day he realizes he needs to invent something to do his chores for him or his mom's nagging will never stop interfering with his work! ( It's always the mom, isn't it.) Thus, the Vacu-maniac is born. The Vacu-maniac gets a bit out of control, however, and Dawson must find a way to reign it in. There is tons of stuff to look at in every illustration and my sons both loved how Gall labels all the different items strewn over the pages. I liked how Dawson deliberately reuses junk and parts of discarded items for his creations. This would be a fun book to read in conjunction with an upcycling craft project.

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen. Young Jack has grand ideas for his fantasy car and he relates them all in fast-paced rhyme. Would you like a car that has a built in swimming pool? One that drives itself without sacrificing safety? One that goes underwater? That flies? Well, Jack's car is made just for you. There's no plot per se, but the ride is certainly wild! If your child is more domestic then check out If I Built a House. Both books can be followed up with discussion about how your child would design his or her dream car and home. Also available as an ebook.

Anything Is Possible by Giulia Belloni, illustrated by Marco Trevisan. Jealous of the birds' ability to see life from different perspectives, a sheep decides he wants to build a flying contraption. The wolf ( gotta love the sheep-wolf pairing!) is not convinced it's possible. The motto of this book is "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again," a saying we are all familiar with and which is worth teaching our kids. I really liked the illustrations, which are mixed media collage with an interesting contrast between the simple animals and the elaborate inventions. I agree with many of the reviews that the book seemed a little incomplete, but I think it's worth getting from the library.

How to Bicycle to the Moon to Plant Sunflowers: A Simple but Brilliant Plan in 24 Easy Steps by Mordicai Gerstein. This book was also on my list of fiction picture books about the moon but it's such a fun read for older kids it's worth including here, too. Using a garden hose, a slingshot, a NASA spacesuit and lots of imagination, a boy lays out his plan to travel to the moon.... by bike. This is a very enjoyable book with a lot of humor and also a bit of magic with an ending that will bring a smile to your face.

Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams, illustrated by Catherine Stock. The first time I read this book, I kept waiting for the explanation of what "galimoto" means. I thought it was odd that my kids never asked what a galimoto was until I realized that it was my adult sensibility getting in the way. A galimoto is simply a push toy crafted out of found material. I was hung up on the word, whereas my kids were just listening and following the story! D'oh! ( There's actually an explanation of the word at the beginning of the book which I missed.) Kondi decides he wants to make a galimoto out of wire, he's been saving up in his shoebox. Undeterred by his short supply he wanders around his village in search of more wire. I love how his determination to make a galimoto is also admired by the others he meets during his search and that despite a few obstacles he remains persistent. Even when he finally completes his toy, he looks to the future, imagining what he will make next.

What Do You Do with an Idea by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom. A boy has an idea. He shows it to others, but they try to discourage him Nevertheless, he holds tight onto his idea, and nurtures it. A lovely book to inspire kids not to let their ideas fall away, but to keep on working. Also available What Do You Do with a Problem?.

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. Having a can-do attitude like the protagonist is a must for any person wanting to make make her mark in the world of science and technology. With the help of her assistant dog, a "regular girl" decides she is going to invent a most MAGNIFICENT thing. She has a lot of false starts. Nothing seems to be turning out the way she wants and it's so frustrating for her! However, she takes a walk, comes back and looks at her inventions afresh, and finally figures things out. I adore the "lesson" in the book, that success comes only after "failure" ( something my kids learned about failure and how it makes you think like a scientist during our diy science camp). You know: trial and error. The book is not at all preachy and Spires's illustrations are a delight.
More lists you will love:
Are your kids inspired to tinker? Want 52 awesome STEAM activities? Get the free list, plus step by step instructions for 2 sample projects - all from the STEAM KIDS book I co-authored! Sign up here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Picture Books for Kids Who Like to Tinker and Invent

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If there's one thing parents envy about their kids, it's their uninhibited imaginations. Picture books are the perfect way to celebrate children's innate to ability imagine fantastic machines, invent new forms of travel and believe anything is possible. All of these books to inspire young inventors and engineers are also great for STEM and STEAM learning and for teaching growth mindset.

# data[].attributes.headline
Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Science Superstars (Kid Legends)

# data[].attributes.subject
Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Science Superstars (Kid Legends)

# data[].attributes.body
BOOK FOR STUDENTS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With the best elements of KID PRESIDENTS, KID ATHLETES, KID ARTISTS, and KID AUTHORS--colorful illustrations, kid-relatable subjects, and...

# data[].attributes.headline
Book that connect students with real scientific struggles

# data[].attributes.subject
Book that connect students with real scientific struggles

# data[].attributes.body
Student who read about the personal and intellectual struggles of scientists feel more motivated to learn science.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ada Byron Lovelace was the world's first computer programmer, creating a coding algorithm years before the modern computer was invented. This picture book biography describes how measles left her temporarily blind and paralyzed and how she overcame society's negative attitudes towards women in the sciences.

Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World, by Laurie Lawler and Laura Beingessner

Rachel Carson's writing and research helped launch the modern environmental movement. This picture book shares her struggles growing up in poverty during the Great Depression, the sacrifices her family made to send her to college, and the challenges she faced entering a male-dominated field.

On a Beam of Light, by Jennifer Berne and Vladimir Radunsky

Through simple text and stunning illustrations, this book explores Albert Einstein's early struggles with learning and school - and how they propelled his later accomplishments. The New York Times described this book as ""something of an It Gets Better Project for mathematically precocious children."

Snowflake Bentley, by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and Mary Azarian

Wilson Bentley was a nature photographer who showed the world that "no two snowflakes are alike." This picture book describes his unstoppable grit in pursuit of his dream and includes sidebars with more information about the methods and science behind his work.

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins and Jill McElmurry

Botanist Kate Sessions, the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a science degree, is best known for transforming San Diego from a desert town to a green paradise. The picture book describes obstacles and social taboos that she faced and overcame, utilizing the refrain: "but she did."

Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle and Julie Paschkis

In the seventeenth century Europe -- when many thought butterflies were evil creatures that generated spontaneously from mud --entomolygist Maria Merian made her mission to study them. After years of study, she wrote and illustrated a groundbreaking book about the life-cycle of a butterfly. This picture book describes how she conducted much of her work in secret because of the negative perceptions around this insect.
Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire A. Nivola
As her biography at National Geographic notes, " called 'Her Deepness' by the and the New York Times , 'Living Legend' by the Library of Congress, and first 'Hero for the Planet' by magazine, [Sylvia Earle] is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer." This beautifully illustrated picture book describes how a difficult move to a new state during her childhood awakened a life-long passion. The author's note would also make a good read-aloud for teens, describing her scientific work in more depth and how she "defied conventional expectations at every stage of her life."

At 144 pages, this brief memoir is broken into several small chapters in which theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking writes about his childhood, his research and - of course - his life with ALS, which gradually paralyzed him over the course of decades and required him to develop compensatory methods for engaging in his research. Teachers could use or read aloud excerpts of this compelling autobiography.

Written for teens, this graphic novel vividly portrays the life of the vivacious physicist Richard Feynman. It captures his tenacity in the face of trying circumstances -- from working on the Manhattan project to uncovering the cause of the Challenger explosion to caring for his ailing wife.

This is another graphic novel for teens, tracing the lives of three primatologists who were students of Richard Leakey and who lived among the primates. As the Booklist review notes, "For all the playful mugging and gratifying discoveries, though, Ottaviani doesn't shy away from the struggles of living and working in the bush."

Breakthrough! How Three People Saved "Blue Babies" and Changed Medicine Forever, by Jim Murphy

Knapp describes this short nonfiction narrative as a "wonderfully written story of a black man, a white man and a woman, who all struggled in different ways (personally and professionally) to pioneer a surgery that saved the lives of 'blue babies.'"

This collection features several short life-sketches of African-American inventors - from Henry Sampson (who created the gamma-electric cell) to Percy Julian (who synthesized cortisone from soy). The stories emphasize the perseverance of these inventors in the face of racism and other life challenges.

These short biographical sketches average four pages in length - an easy read aloud - and highlight female scientists in the following fields: medicine, biology and the environment, genetics and development, physics, earth and stars, math and technology, and invention. Several stories note obstacles they faced, including gender bias, illness, and family disapproval.

Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein - Colossal Mistakes by Great Scientists That Changed Our Understanding of Life and the Universe, by Mario Livio

In this 300+ page book, astrophysicist Mario Livio draws on the lives of five scientists (Charles Darwin, Lord Kelvin, Linus Pauling, Fred Hoyle, and Albert Einstein) to show how great progress often comes in the wake of "colossal mistakes." This is a great resource book for high school science teachers who want to infuse their classes with stories about how can setbacks set the stage for progress -- if we let them.

Bonus Resource: The PBS/NOVA web-series, The Secret Life of Scientist "provides a humanizing snapshot of scientists who are shaping our world." Each episode profiles a contemporary scientists in three or four discrete, one-to-three minute video clips. The site is searchable by topic and includes blog posts and a teacher's guide.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
14 Books That Connect Students With Valuable Scientists' Struggles | KQED

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ada Byron Lovelace was the world's first computer programmer, creating a coding algorithm years before the modern computer was invented. This picture book biography describes how measles left her temporarily blind and paralyzed and how she overcame society's negative attitudes towards women in the sciences.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There are no shortage of apps out there that make kids really hyper. And any parent knows how hard it is to pry an iPad out of a kid's hands when it's time for bed. So we rounded up some end-of-day options that are a good compromise: Whether they play relaxing sounds, or teach simple-to-follow meditation techniques, they can lull just about any amped-up kid to sleep.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There are no shortage of apps out there that make kids really hyper. And any parent knows how hard it is to pry an iPad out of a kid's hands when it's time for bed.

# data[].attributes.body
Kobi Yamada writes pictures books with a great focus on embracing ideas, creativity, failure, and creativity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kobi Yamada has 83 books on Goodreads with 42787 ratings. Kobi Yamada's most popular book is What Do You Do with an Idea?.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Representation matters: Girls do better on science tests when their textbooks include images of female scientists. And a 2017 survey by Microsoft found that girls in Europe begin to show interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields at 11 years old but lose it at around 15-and a lack of female role models is one reason for the drop in interest.

That's why we've created this list of books showing girls and women who are passionate about STEM fields. After asking librarians for recommendations, pulling still more from School Library Journal, and checking best-seller and award lists, we selected picture books, biographies, novels, and memoirs appropriate for kids from kindergarten to 12th grade. These books-most of which were published in 2016-represent a wide range of STEM fields, from marine biology to volcanology to math.

You'll find recommendations for lower elementary, upper elementary, middle school, and high school. For each book, we list the appropriate grade levels, and the Lexile measure when possible.

Kindergarten to Grade 3

Rosie Revere, Engineer
Andrea Beaty's New York Times best-selling picture book explores growth mindset, perseverance, and failure. Rosie Revere wants to create a contraption that flies, but it only hovers. Her great-great-aunt, Rosie the Riveter, describes her failure as a success and tells her, "You can only truly fail if you quit." (Grades K and up; Lexile measure: AD860L)

Ada Twist, Scientist
Ada Twist, Scientist, also by Andrea Beaty, follows Ada Twist, a young black girl who uses science to explore her world. Ada's curiosity takes her on a journey to uncover the source of a horrible smell in her house. Through asking questions, experimenting, and gathering facts, Ada realizes that some questions lead to more questions rather than answers. (Grades K-2; Lexile measure: 550)

Grades 4 to 6

Grades 7 to 8

Grades 9 to 12

Lab Girl
Winner of the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography and noted by Time, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Amazon as a best memoir or best book of 2016. Hope Jahren chronicles her lifelong passion for nature and science. Her memoir explores her relationship with her parents and the impact it had in cultivating her love of science as a child, and how her passion for plants and science gave her a deeper insight into herself. (Grades 9-12; Lexile measure: 1240L)

In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom
This memoir by Qanta A. Ahmed, a British Muslim doctor, begins in the late 1990s when her application to renew her U.S. visa is denied and she accepts a job in Saudi Arabia. Though excited about the prospect of forming a deeper connection to her faith, she struggles with being a feminist, a doctor, and a Western woman living and working in a country that's deeply oppressive to women.(Grades 9-12)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Science, technology, engineering, and math are more important than ever, so we've put together a list of books to encourage girls to persevere in these subjects.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Research shows that parents can have a powerful impact on their childrens' mindsets. The language you use and the actions you take show your children about what you expect. Giving process praise, talking about the brain, accepting mistakes as learning opportunities, and understanding the role of emotions in learning are all practices you can begin today.

Say This, Not That

The way we praise our children can have a profound impact on their mindset. Research on praise and mindsets shows that when we praise children for being smart, it promotes a fixed mindset. It sends a message that their accomplishments are trait-based, and tied to something innate. In contrast, praising kids for working hard promotes a growth mindset. It sends a message that the child's effort is what led them to success. Want more tips on what to say, and what not to say, when praising your kids? Say This, Not That!

Talk About the Brain

The brain is far more malleable than we once thought. Teaching our kids that they actually have control over growing their brains through the actions they take is empowering! Tell your children that when they work hard, that's the feeling of their neurons connecting. The dendrites are reaching out to other dendrites, trying to connect to make a stronger brain. What strengthens those connections is practice, asking questions, and actively participating in learning. When children learn that their brains physically change with effort, it leads to increased motivation and achievement. Show your kids this Brain Animation video to explain!

Accept Mistakes as Learning Opportunities

One of the best ways you can model a growth mindset is to speak candidly about the mistakes you've made, and what you've learned from them. Speak positively about your mistakes and struggles, and this will show your children that taking risks and making mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Explain to your children that trying hard things is what helps us grow, and you can't be perfect when you try something hard!

Understand the Role of Emotions in Learning

When we get angry, scared, or feel threatened, our fight or flight response is activated. This can happen anytime, whether we're scared of a spider or scared of math! Our brains are wired to protect us when we feel threatened, and stress symptoms such as sweating, stomach cramps, and your mind going blank are completely normal. There are strategies we can use when the fight or flight response tries to take over, to help us learn. One of those strategies is called Square Breathing and it helps to break down the adrenaline that is flooding the bloodstream and preventing learning from occurring.

Want to Learn More?

Additional Reading:

Videos from the Greater Good Science Center:

You can find other videos and resources from the Greater Good Science Center at their Half Full Blog.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Growth Mindset For Parents | Growth Mindset Parenting

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Research shows that parents can have a powerful impact on their childrens' mindsets. The language you use and the actions you take show your children about what you expect. Giving process praise, talking about the brain, accepting mistakes as learning opportunities, and understanding the role of emotions in learning are all practices you can begin today.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Teachers College Reading and Writing Project

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Teachers College Reading and Writing Project

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Help Your Child Stay Focused While Reading

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Children ask lots of questions. Even before children can put together words, they point at things that they want to learn about.

Some are easy enough to answer - "What's that animal?" or "Can I drink your beer?" Others like "What is God?" and "Why do people die?" are tougher.

One study found that kids between three and five years old ask an astounding average of 76 questions per hour. This rapid-fire search for information is important for kids' learning. Their inquisitiveness gives them access to knowledge that others can share.

In working on my doctorate in human development, the science of how children grow and learn, I'm studying kids' questions and how they make sense of the responses they get. I'm also looking into whether and under what circumstances children can be skeptical of those responses.

With the emergence of the internet and social media, people don't access information like they used to. It's also harder to know for sure if that information is reliable.

For that reason, it's more important than ever, in my view, to be a good consumer of information. And, more importantly, learning how to search for information now has to start in childhood.

20 Questions

To see what makes questions good or bad, consider how the 20 Questions game works. Typically, one person has to think of a person, place or thing and then answer yes or no to questions from the other players so they can try to figure out what it is.

Broad questions, like "Is it an animal?" work best at first. With more questions answered, the players can ask more targeted follow-ups, like "Does it fly?" Eventually, it makes sense to ask a much narrower question, along the lines of "Is it an eagle?"

Recent studies by scientists who examine how people ask questions or explore problems have shown that by the time kids turn five, they have some understanding of what makes a question good or bad.

A good question is geared toward the kind of information that you're looking for. If there is a lot that you don't know, it's best to first ask a broad question that can eliminate lots of possible answers at once.

Just like with 20 Questions, once you know a lot more, it's more reasonable to ask a narrow question.

There's no one-size-fits-all way to ask good questions. Coming up with them depends on what the person asking wants to learn and what they already know.

Despite the ability to think about what information will probably be produced by a given question, children - as well as some adults - have trouble asking good questions.

And, more importantly than whether someone is adept at playing 20 Questions, in the digital age, people of all ages sometimes can't distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources of information as they seek answers to their questions. This is especially problematic with scientific topics such as the probability of earthquakes or the benefits of getting vaccines.

There are many explanations for this problem. It can happen with topics that become politicized, making it harder to revise a belief, or with issues that experts have failed to explain in ways the public will understand, or when there's no public awareness of what's involved in a field of research.

Choosing good sources

Some children do understand that more supportive evidence means that a conclusion is more justified, or can be trusted to be accurate.

In a recent study that I helped design and publish, for example, kids preferred to learn from people who fully supported what they said with evidence, as opposed to insufficient support, or none at all.

But there are some cases where this preference is challenged. This is, in part, because of the fact that how we all access information has changed. With the advent of the internet, its gotten harder to tell whether claims are actually empirically supported.

Until the 1990s, people seeking answers to questions like "What do you call a scientist who studies insects?" or "How does the radiator in a car work?" would turn to textbooks, manuals and encyclopedias. In nearly all cases, professionals had vetted and edited those resources before they became available to the public.

Now, people feel freer to make up their own minds about what they read, and, because there are so many, more than occasionally conflicting, sources of information, people sometimes feel empowered to dismiss evidence they should actually accept.

Alexa, what's a reliable source?

What's more, anyone, including children, can do a Google search or ask Siri or Alexa their question. Within an instant, they get access to hundreds, thousands or even millions of answers. What they don't get is a guarantee that the responses are accurate.

This makes understanding both what makes a good question and what makes for trustworthy answers more complicated.

Scholars, including a team of Stanford University researchers, have found that students would benefit from getting more training at school for how to detect falsehoods when they search for information online or follow the news.

That is why researchers at the Right Question Institute, an education research nonprofit that seeks to increase information literacy, are starting to help teachers explain what a good question might sound like in different contexts.

For example, teachers can encourage students to work together to construct one or two questions that become the focus of the class. The nature of the question differs based on whether the class is, for instance, science or history.

In a science class, a good question to consider might be something like, "How does evolution work?" or "Why do redwood trees get so tall?" In a history class, they might sound like, "Why did England leave the Catholic church?"

The idea is to leverage questions that kids might already be pondering to increase their engagement in the material and help them think about what would constitute a good answer to those questions. These questions therefore open the door for investigation and thoughtful discussion.

I believe that all students would benefit this kind of training.

[ You're smart and curious about the world. So are The Conversation's authors and editors. You can get our highlights each weekend. ]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kids may need more help finding answers to their questions in the information age

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Children ask lots of questions. Even before children can put together words, they point at things that they want to learn about. Some are easy enough to answer - "What's that animal?" or "Can I drink your beer?" Others like "What is God?" and "Why do people die?" are tougher.

# data[].attributes.body
located in Hawaii and Chile Gemini can access the whole sky

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Gemini Observatory consists of twin 8.1-meter diameter optical/infrared telescopes located on two of the best observing sites on the planet. From their locations on Maunakea in Hawai'i and Cerro Pachón in Chile, Gemini Observatory's telescopes can collectively access the entire sky.

The international Gemini Observatory is a Program of NSF's NOIRLab.
About Gemini

Press Releases & Features

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Gemini Observatory consists of twin 8.1-meter diameter optical/infrared telescopes located on two of the best observing sites on the planet. From their locations on Maunakea in Hawai'i and Cerro Pachón in Chile, Gemini Observatory's telescopes can collectively access the entire sky. The international Gemini Observatory is a Program of NSF's NOIRLab.