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For grown-ups

The Backpack: books and learning tools for home

What is worth having at home for primary math, reading and French practice, much of it free or home-made, with a few shop links for grown-ups.

Most of what a primary child needs for practice at home costs very little: a deck of cards, two dice, a bag of dried beans, scrap paper and a library card. This page lists what we reach for, what you can make, and the few things worth buying. Links in the boxes below are for grown-ups.

For math

  • A deck of playing cards. Take out the face cards and you have number cards from 1 to 10 for Math War and many other games. See card games that teach math.
  • Counters and a ten frame. Beans, buttons or pasta, and a ten frame drawn on paper, cover most of what children do with numbers to 20.
  • Fraction strips. Paper strips folded into halves, quarters and eighths do the job before any bought set. The manipulatives guide shows how.
  • A workbook, if your child likes them. Some children enjoy a page a day. Choose one for their grade and stop when it stops being fun.

For reading and writing

  • Library books, lots of them. Picture books, early readers and chapter books to read aloud. Our notes on sight words and reading aloud to older kids have ideas for choosing.
  • Magnetic letters or letter cards. For building and breaking up words on the fridge.
  • A small whiteboard. Mistakes wipe away, which makes spelling practice feel lighter.

For French

  • Picture books in French or in both languages. Our guide to French picture books for beginners explains what to look for when you do not read French yourself.
  • Audio in French. Songs, read-aloud recordings and children's radio help more than flashcards.
  • A course for the grown-up. Some parents of immersion students like to learn alongside their child.

The boxes below

The shop boxes on this page link to booksellers and course providers through an affiliate network, so Megatfo may earn a small commission if you buy. They only appear in countries where the shop delivers, and they never appear on the games.

For grown-ups: the box below links to a shop for books or learning tools that fit this topic. If you buy through it, Megatfo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The games on this site never show shops or ads to children.