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First Grade Math Struggles!
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My six year old daughter will start formal math curriculum this fall. We used Math Lessons for a Living Education this year for K and we hated it. She liked the pictures and the stories, but quickly got bored with the repetitive copywork (busywork).
I’m interested in doing the SCM Arithmetic Series Book 1. It looks so pleasant and simple and lovely. I WANT to use it. But then, I get nervous and think I should use something that has been around for a while like Math U See or RightStart Math. RightStart has been suggested to me several times, and my daughter would probably love it. But, all of the games seem like a pain to me. I hesitate to use something that doesn’t go all the way through elementary at the very least.
Can someone help walk me through the math curriculum decision process?? Obviously, this is my first time homeschooling a first grader, so I’m a total newbie!
Rightstart does go through elementary. I have been looking at it hard. I have k and 2nd grade students next year and dont know what to do either. I do know that a curriculum has to fit your child and your teaching style so consider both. Look at samples, read the rainbow resource catalog, search the internet for reviews beyond we love it…Above all talk with your husband and our Father in heaven.
Here is a non exhaustive fun quiz for some more ideas;)
http://homeschool-curriculum-reviews.com/math-curriculum-selector/
The SCM arithmetic series was not available when my ds was in elementary level. We eventually found Christian Light Education mathematics. My ds will be starting 8th grade next year. It has served us well. I don’t have him complete every problem in the review section each day but enough to keep him fresh. It is a gentle approach to mathematics and is in a spiral format. I hope this helps!
My husband has his bachelor’s and master’s in math. He teaches math and has also worked as a math master teacher, training student teachers from a private university in the classroom. He knows his math…is what I’m trying to say. Not just that, but knows that students need to learn concepts without busy work and tricks. He looked through my top curriculum choices and chose Singapore. We have been using it for 2 years, K and 1st gr and it is WONDERFUL!! The way it leads children to manipulate numbers is exactly what we were looking for.
I’ve used MUS in the past for first grade, but this year, I used Christian Light with my 3rd son for first grade and we LOVED it. I plan to use it with 3 of my 4 children next year. It’s so simple but advanced. It’s hard to explain, but they add new concepts almost effortless and my son has grasped the concepts. We really like CLE math!
I am starting my 6yo on formal math this fall too. I looked at purchasing SCM Arithmetic Book 1 and noticed I had two other books I downloaded for free which were somewhat similar: Rays New Primary Arithmetic & First Lessons in Arithmetic (you can do an online search and download them for free). We have been going through some of the lessons in the books with an abacus for now. Also, we started Life of Fred Apples which has funny stories and no busywork. My son loves it and I heard many moms say they use it successfully for a complete curriculum. My plan is to continue these things in the fall and also purchase Math Mammoth which is a more traditional math curriculum just to ease my mind. It is very affordable and goes through 7th grade, I believe. I am going to make a mix of Math Mammoth, Life of Fred, and Rays/First Lessons and reevaluate later in the year. My son is learning no matter what as I’m sure your daughter will too. It is more important to create a love of math since so many people develop a hate for it! Haha.
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