My first Math gnome
By Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14994)
Malaysia
September 29, 2015 2:51pm CST
I have finally made my first Math gnome to introduce one of the Math processes - Plus to my first grader son.
It's actually quite simple, but it took me a few days to sew it, as I'd like to surprise my son when telling him the story of the four Math gnomes (plus, minus, times and divide).
Math gnomes are a very popular concept to teach the four processes in Waldorf education, though the idea was not originated by the founder, Rudolf Steiner. I was considering if I'd use the Math gnomes, and finally decided to just make up a story with the gnomes and tell my son, as he likes listening to story and he likes gnomes. The children can also make up stories on their own with using these Math gnomes.
Now that I have made the first gnome, and there are 3 more to go before I can start teaching the 4 processes. 
Do you or your children like listening to gnome stories?
Do you or your children like listening to gnome stories?8 people like this
6 responses
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
30 Sep 15
Yes, there are many different stories with using Math gnomes, or squirrels, princes or princesses to teach the children the 4 Math processes - plus, minus, times and divide. The stories can be expanded to teach other Math concepts as well (I have not read them yet. 
)
I am learnig to use stories to teach my children, not only in Math, but also teaching them the values, changing their challenging behaviors as children really love listening to stories.
Yes, I was not told many stories when I was young, and we just studied what we needed to without understanding better. I am glad I have found this way to teach my children, and even myself enjoy it.
You can search for Math gnome story, I believe you will get a lot of stories sharing on the Internet, or you can also add "Waldorf"as the keyword. 
)
I am learnig to use stories to teach my children, not only in Math, but also teaching them the values, changing their challenging behaviors as children really love listening to stories.
Yes, I was not told many stories when I was young, and we just studied what we needed to without understanding better. I am glad I have found this way to teach my children, and even myself enjoy it.
You can search for Math gnome story, I believe you will get a lot of stories sharing on the Internet, or you can also add "Waldorf"as the keyword. 
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 15
Yes, but I also think the way of teaching is important too. I like Math when I was in school, but sometimes some teachers just couldn't get to let the students in the whole class understand the concept, but another teacher can easily made us understand.
Moreover, I'd like to be able to apply what I've learned in real life, I think that makes learning more interesting too, though maybe not every subject can be done so.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
1 Oct 15
Some people are born with qualities to teach and reading your content above, I feel that you could be the best teacher around (in case you are not).
I very much appreciate the idea and the cute gnome you have on display here
Unfortunately, I have not been into gnome stories yet, but seeing and reading your post, I am interested and curious.
Unfortunately, I have not been into gnome stories yet, but seeing and reading your post, I am interested and curious.1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
4 Oct 15
Though I can't say to have many great teachers in my life, I still think my studying life was very smooth and I did meet some good teachers, and I loved going to school and studying too.
We can't change what we have experienced, but we can help our children and other kids to experience those we think are wonderful!
You can search for "Waldorf Math gnome story", and you will get a lot of resources, even free stories. Or you can also make up your own stories to teach your children. Sometimes I just simply make up any stories, and my children just love listening to them. Sometimes I added gnomes, fairies, animals, plants that can talk or just anything surrounding them.
You can search for "Waldorf Math gnome story", and you will get a lot of resources, even free stories. Or you can also make up your own stories to teach your children. Sometimes I just simply make up any stories, and my children just love listening to them. Sometimes I added gnomes, fairies, animals, plants that can talk or just anything surrounding them. 1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
5 Oct 15
@kaka135 I wish I had you as my teacher... maybe I would have been a little better with numbers.
But yes, I do agree, a good teacher should be innovative to explain the basic concepts in someway the students would understand better - maths or anything else. I too have been a teacher and though I taught computers to students above 13, I still had to be creative at many instances.
But yes, I do agree, a good teacher should be innovative to explain the basic concepts in someway the students would understand better - maths or anything else. I too have been a teacher and though I taught computers to students above 13, I still had to be creative at many instances.1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
4 Oct 15
Thanks. It's actually just a simple doll (table puppet).
I guess Math gnome stories are very popular in Waldorf communities but not others, and yes, the creation of them are actually helping the children to visualize the Math, with the gnomes and the stories.
I guess Math gnome stories are very popular in Waldorf communities but not others, and yes, the creation of them are actually helping the children to visualize the Math, with the gnomes and the stories. 1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
30 Sep 15
What a nice (and cute!) effort. I'm not very familiar with Waldorf system but it sounds pretty interesting. I'm sure your son would love those little gnomes!
I'm not very familiar with Waldorf system but it sounds pretty interesting. I'm sure your son would love those little gnomes!1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
30 Sep 15
Thanks. I have actually made a few similar gnomes (they are actually called table puppets) for them to play and use to tell stories. These are specifically for Math, as there's a Plus sign sewed on the body. Yes, I think Waldorf education is quite interesting and different from our mainstream education. I have learned a lot in these few years after hearing about Waldorf education.
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
1 Oct 15
@cahaya1983 That's good. It's great to hear homeschooling becoming more common and known in our country. I first heard about homeschooling only a few years ago. .
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
30 Sep 15
@kaka135 I have a friend who is homeschooling her kids. She's pretty well versed in the different systems especially for homeschooling. I'm sure she has heard about it. Maybe I'll ask her next time we meet.
1 person likes this
