http://www.dafont.com/birds-of-a-feather.font

Play Monopoly Junior. If your computer has Microsoft Word, this site: http://208.183.128.3/tutorials/gameboard.htm has game boards you can print and play (just scroll down to the Math Games section). It also has templates you can use to print your own games. You can always do easy grocery cart math – add the items in the cart.

Fishing: Put the number facts on cards shaped like fish. (or for easier, quicker making, these can simply be slips of paper in rectangle shape). Attach a paper clip to each “fish.” Use a stick with string and magnet attached (for the “hook”). Catch a fish. If the child gives the correct response, keep it. If incorrect, throw it back into the “pond” (a pile of the cards on the floor).

Addition War: Can use a standard deck of cards with face cards removed, or make your own set with just numbers on them. Divide the cards between the two players. Each player shuffles his cards, and places them face down in a draw pile in front of him. Each player turns over TWO cards and adds them. The one with the highest total takes all four cards.

Subtraction War: Same game as above, but the players subtract their two cards, and the player with the lowest difference wins. (Zero would be the best score).

Speed Addition: Same game as above except each player turns over ONE card. The first player to shout the total of the two cards, wins them. (Adults silently count to 5 before answering. When the child is winning most of the time, count to 3, then short hesitation, and then play to beat them….then they have mastered these!).

You might also find an idea here: http://www.homeschoolingonashoestring.com/math.html

In my local library, they have an AccuCut machine and some dies to use with it. It is FREE to use – you just bring in your own paper. You may also be able to use foam sheets, magnet paper, wallpaper scraps, etc. My library has the shape of Michigan (including the Upper Peninsula, which many times prepackaged shapes do not include), music notes, big letters, some animals, vehicles, paper dolls and more. When was the last time you visited your library? Make sure you look – and if you don’t see one, ask!

My nearest scrapbooking store also has an AccuCut which customers can use for Free – mainly for use by scrapbookers, but if you have things to scrap, or need to buy a sheet of scrapbook paper, that’s always helpful. (Plus, they have a clearance table.)

I purchased a Sizzix machine in the Fall of 2006, on sale, and I found some dies at a resale shop (very inexpensive – what a find!). We have been having fun seeing all the neat things we can do with it. One of the projects my dd did was to make her best friend’s birthday card & decorations for the wrapping paper. Another scrapbook store has a Sizzix machine & some dies people can use while they are at a crop. This particular store seems to have lots of crops (they also have an AccuCut + dies) due to the amount of tables – pretty much have of this store is the crop area.

For game making, these die cut machines are neat because you can use whatever colored paper you have on hand (not limited to the colors on prepackaged shapes), make as many as you want/need per game.
More about AccuCut: AccuCut machines can cut anything scissors can cut–faster and easier.
Make an Accordian Fold Apple Book (see number 5)
Slow As A Turtle Poster – Create a quick and fun poster to introduce similes
A Paper-Cut Collage Lesson Plan – inspired by the works of Henri Matisse
How to Use Curriculum-Based Die-Cut Projects to Stimulate Learning

Play Recycler-opoly, an online quiz game from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to test your knowledge of nature’s recyclers.

Library Pocket Templates
http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/library.htm
http://www.houseofstirfry.com/chia/templates/lib01.html
http://www.houseofstirfry.com/chia/templates/lib03.html
http://www.paperwishes.com/products/7273180000

I was looking in a paper craft magazine July 2006 and found a few big punches that fold to shape like little file folders and library pockets. I actually have one that is shaped like little file folders – I got it for our scrapbooking. It’s dimensions are 1-7/8″ x 1-3/10″. Here’s the link to the manufacturer’s website straight to the picture of what it looks like: Mini File Folder Punchie. I’m sure I can incorporate the punchie into our games.

Here’s what the mini library pockets look like: Mini Library Pockets.

The game is printable in pdf format. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader.

You can expand the game by measuring the game cards and creating a template to add more cards to suit your needs.