In the last few months, since sharing more of my “good deals”  and bargain how-to’s on my blog, I’ve repeatedly been referred to as a “Coupon Queen”. I even had the fun of being the  Special Feature for our local Stonecroft Ministries Christian Connection meeting this month. Not only that, my business partners are now converts! You can see Jennie “doin’ the deals” on her blog. Marillee was there, but hiding out, as usual. How fun is that!!??
These comments really opened my eyes to the necessity of involving my children in what I’m doing in the grocery store and why. What a great learning opportunity! Grocery Cart Math was the very first non-Trigger Memory System product we offered and is still one of my very favorites. This workbook is intended to come along with your child on a grocery trip as they answer the questions.

But even without the workbook, our children can learn a great deal by helping with shopping. They can estimate how much you saved with coupons or sales and compare actual totals. They can determine actual coupon/sale savings then compare with the register tape to see if they got it right (keep the bottom covered until they are done calculating). Kids can learn how to check the price per unit to find the best bargains and what is the best coupon deal. (Often, you’ll save more using a coupon on the smallest product rather than a larger version) Children can help plan a holiday meal, staying within a specific budget. Or, perhaps they can develop a couple of menu plans, then find the cost of the food to see which is most expensive.

As you include your children in these types of activities, you not only increase their math and analysis skills, you prepare them for life in the future.

What you need
To make your own Build a Word Game, all you need is index cards and multiple letters of the alphabet. For the letters of the alphabet you can use things such as; ScrabbleÔ game pieces, foam letters (that can be bought at most dollar stores) or simply cut out squares of heavy card stock paper and write the letters on yourself. You will also need to write  approximately 20 “word challenges” (see below for example) on  3×5 index cards. Now that you have your materials, lets get started!

How it works
Lay the alphabet letters in a pile between the players. The first player picks a “word challenge” card  and reads it out loud to the other players. Once he puts the card down, the race has begun! The players sift through the letters to see who can make a word that fit’s the challenge first. For example, the word challenge card reads, “Something that is hot”. One player may try to spell the word “stove”, while another may spell the word “fire”. The player that gets his word done first, then gets to keep the card. When there is no more cards left in the pile, the player that is holding the most, wins!

Tip! Give slower spellers a small head start to build their word.  For example, once the card is read,  the quick spellers must count to 5 before they can start building their word.

A sample of Word Challenges you can use!
Something that is hot.
An animal.
Something furry.
A mountain.
A word that starts with the letter “R”.
A city.
A verb.
Something you put on pizza.
A girls name.
A color.
A tool used for building.
Something that gets wet.
A toy.
Something green.

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