@heather You asked, “if the SCM Math book recently released can help [you] ditch the math books more confidently?” I would wholeheartedly say “yes.” If you have 15-20 minutes a day to spend with your child on math, you can apply Charlotte’s methods and teach textbook free Grades 1-5. In the introductions to the chapters on Manipulatives and Mental and Oral Math you are shown what a lesson would look like, given examples throughout those chapters and the chapter on Elementary Arithmetic has lots of examples.
For those days that mom is not as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as usual, or you just need some help with coming up with examples, I would recommend Ray’s Primary Arithmetic **free on google books** as it was written specifically for oral lessons. I would use this in conjunction with the SCM math book. Charlotte’s teachers did utilize certain textbooks — mainly for their examples — but they use pre-decimalized British currency, rendering them most unfriendly for today’s use. As I became more accustomed to using CM’s methods, I found it easier and easier to come up with the examples on my own and the children are also invited to come up with their own, which they love. One thing that was new to me when doing the research for the book was learning that money problems were often preferred. The children each had their own coin purse with which to work problems. Adding this to our homeschool has made a big difference and here is a really simple diy coin purse you and your children could make for handicraft.
I think the research found in the SCM book also dispels a lot of myths regarding CM’s methods and math. It is a relatively short read and is designed to both take you through her over-riding philosophy as well as a practical, step-by-step way to teach specifics. You can download the sample to see exactly which topics are covered. For example, Chapter 2 lays out how to teach one through nine, the meanings of symbols, when and how to introduce the writing of numbers and how often to use written work, the number 10, notation and idea of place value, etc. covering the ground all the way through Elementary Arithmetic which ends with five steps to lead your child how to discover the rule for finding “area.”
Just as CM’s use of great literature, narration, copywork, and poetry really changes our modern thought on the way our children learn “language arts” her ideas and methods surrounding math truly make it “living.” Charlotte appealed to the beauty and truth of mathematics, and believed that by presenting math in such a living way it trained the child in good habits and would also point to God and His glory.
@stayinghome I completely know where you are coming from. My oldest son went from loving math to hating it. There were tears and that led me to want to really find out just what CM’s methods were in math as they worked so well with us in other areas of our homeschool. I hope your son will discover the beauty found in math.
Warmly,
Richele
