We were at the library yesterday and saw the advertising for the summer reading program. I am always shocked how a sheet of paper, a strip of stickers and a chance for a prize motivates my kids to want to spend some of their summer reading!

So fast-forward to this morning, since our bible reading comes from our school curriculum and we are finishing that up. I told my 7 year old, go read you bible. He was immediately lost on what he should read and slumped on the couch. Hmm might need to offer some guidance here.

Summer Reading Plan for His Glory
A Family Challenge

I decided we should read through the New Testament over the summer. I found some great bible reading plans; I even found one with the New Testament broken down to read in 90 days! No need to make my own.
Of course no plan is complete with out a reading chart! I asked my kids if they had any stickers, cause you know those things multiply when you aren’t looking.

I then remembered I had some great family activity coupons lying in a drawer, the kind of coupons that can get you ice cream for dinner or a special outing with dad. I grabbed a lovely red gift bag and added the coupons to it.

At the end of June, July and August if your reading chart is filled with stickers you can grab a coupon out of the bag! Hmm I might need to come up with a coupon my husband and I can strive towards. It always makes things fun when the kids can check to see how WE parents are doing.

When my son started adding instead of multiplying when doing area, and couldn’t remember to take ½ of the number when doing triangles; I knew we needed to stop and help his mind sort out the information rolling around in there.

First thing I do to help is color code concepts, this really helps form a picture in his mind.

Since he was counting numbers into the trillions I wanted to review place value.

First we discussed what items in life that he pictured in his mind that
had perpendicular and parallel lines, so we added the compass rose and railroad tracks to the pictures.

Putting the adding signs around the perimeter helps to remind him to add.

Then when we moved into area problems I shaded the problems to help him remember that area is the inside of the shape.

We did make the h in the triangle formula a little different, but in his mind angling the H and putting the right angle line on it helps him remember.

Now we have reference sheets for when we are teaching the lesson for the 20th time and it all “seems new” to us.