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Math suggestion??
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Hi! I just wanted to ask if anyone could perhaps suggest a math program that is CM friendly. I would like to find one that I can stick with all the way throughout our homeschooling because it seems that when you switch around alot, especially with math, it can become confusing to the children by way of the different techniques and how it’s taught. I have been homeschooling for three years now, and I have a 13 yr. old, an 8 yr. old, and 5, 4, and 3 yr. olds! We have used different books, and so far I have found none that seem to be worthy! I have read alot of good things about Ray’s Arithmetic and Rod and Staff. Of course Saxon is one that always pops up there that I have not tried, and then Math-U-See I have read about, but before I would order for each child, I just wanted to know or rather hear some suggestions from other CM homeschoolers first. I do alot of hands on math with my children as well and as I said, we are using books right now that are just not getting it!! Even though they are all learning, and neither my 8 or 13 yr. old struggle in this subject, we just need to find a good math program and stick to it. A homeschool mother that I had met at a church function once on the subject of math pulled out a very old looking copy of a book titled “mental math” which looked as though it came from the 19th century, and said that this was the only type of textbooks she would use! It looked wonderful, but I haven’t came across anything like it myself at used book sales, or antique shops! If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know, because it seems I am not able to find any CM homeschoolers in our homeschool group :(!
I use a free math program offered online. It was originated in Hungary and the UK schools are currently implementing it in their schools. They have made it available for us to use. It is incredible. There is a strong emphasis on mental math. It is a spiral program similar to Singapore from what I hear (although I haven’t ever seen Singapore math). The lessons are broken down into numerous activities utilizing song, manipulatives, etc. There is a wonderful Yahoo Group for support. It is quite a challenging program, but my DD’s (5 & 7) absolutely love it. It’s their favorite subject.
Site:
http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mep/default.htm
Yahoo Group:
Christie, if you like the idea of arithmetic that is very old school, then you might want to check out Systematic Mathematics. I just ordered it last week for my third grader who has been using RightStart Mathematics.
I really like RightStart. It is manipulative approach based primarily on the use of the abacus. My third grader has a lot of fun with RightStart because they have a lot of games incorporated in the lessons and he loves not having to write answers or at least not many answers on paper.
However, after listening to a CD of a retired public school teacher of 40 years, who was teaching at the time they introduced the “new math books” and took away the traditional math books and burned them, I was curious to learn more. He explained how we switched, basically overnight, from a tried and true method to an untried method of arithmetic. The outcome of this experiment on America’s children has been disastrous!
He also explained how the homeschool movement has reformed or redeveloped just about every subject, save arithmetic. He elaborated on the point that our children need to truly understand what and why they are doing, not simply memorize quickly forgotten formulas. He simply said that if your current math program has a lot of review, it is probably “new math” and you probably find a program utilizing the old school methods. As for me and my 3rd grader we are going to do one lesson a day from RightStart and one lesson a day from Systematic Mathematics.
I am see great progress with his ability to see his answers in his mind and quickly spout out the answers just like my grandpappy used to do! I might add that I have to older, now adult children who struggle with math as do many other first generation homeschoolers we know. If only I had known that even their math need to be redeemed right along with the other subjects.
We use Math U See. It only takes about 15 or 20 minutes a day and you progress at your own pace. Steve does a wonderful job at explaining not only what to do but WHY. It’s not enough to memorize formulas unless you understand WHY you need to know it and how it applies to real life. My 9yo dd uses it independently so I can spend extra time with my 5yo ds. From what I remember it starts at a primer level and ends at pre-calc, i think. We are on Epsilon and I haven’t checked the website recently so I don’t remember how far it goes. HTH!!
Hi Christie! Check out Math Mammoth
It’s sequential and the focus is on mastery before moving on. You can purchase the books as downloadable pds which I think is great because I can make as many copies as I need right from my computer. (They’re also available as hardcopies.)
I also use “math copywork” for my children. I make my own copy sheets for them, but you can buy math copybooks. Right now the only place I know of that carries them is an independent CM publisher that isn’t SCM, but maybe SCM will publish one soon!
Math Mammoth does a great job of explaining the “whys” of mathematics and the copywork keeps them from learning the wrong facts. Rather than have them guess the answers or try to figure them out and get them wrong, I have them copy the math facts as they should be. (Same concept as learning to spell by copying great lit.) We stick with short lessons (for their ages) split between copywork and MM every day.
I personally think copywork alone with younger kids is enough, mine are 11 & 13 and like the challenge workbooks give them after they’ve “practiced” by doing the copywork.
Hope this helps!
Kerri
I’m using Ray’s and Developmental Mathematics. DM has a very interesting history and I like Ray’s for the obvious history of mathematical strength our forefathers had. They seem to complement each other.
Kerri, dear, (and everyone) please feel free to recommend materials by name from other publishers — CM or otherwise — and include links whenever you want to. You won’t hurt our feelings one bit 🙂
Of course, we’re happy when one of our products fills a need in a family; but we realize that all families are different, and we really want to help each family find what works for them. So please go right ahead and share all the specifics. It will be a great help to the whole CM community.
I love Math-U-see, and, except for a switch for our eldest boy for one year, who liked Sygapore math workbooks (since he is a workbook kind of guy) we have used it for 8 years. I especially love to see when the lightbulb goes off as they learn using all the steps they tell the teacher to take from the teaching DVD and with the manipulatives. The important thing is not to go on until the child has mastered this, and I am thankful for the fact that Steve (from M U S) says this. The times tables have to be memorized, but it can be done systematically and wisely.
When the boys need a break from this (once a month), I allow them to use AAA Math on the computer. It is great for going over facts at their grade level and they can take a timed test and print it out if you want.
p.s. When teaching math I also call the word “problems” Word questions so that they don’t feel defeated before they start.
Hello, All! I have a math “problem.” My DD (7) does not like math. She struggles with the facts, and tends to get them all jumbled as they come out of her mouth. She does not like workbooks, but loves games. (We’ve been playing Yahtzee to hone her addition facts.) Does anyone have any suggestions for a book/series that would be good for her? I don’t have a lot of money to spend on whole curriculum, but I’ve heard such great things about RightStart and Math-U-See. I haven’t used any set curriculum, yet; we are just reviewing the skills she really needs to know, ex. time, money, and addition/subtraction. Is this enough for the time being? Is there a CM friendly math series I haven’t heard about? Help!! Faith 🙂
To: cherylramirez or anyone else who has experience with Math*U*See. I have in mind to order this for my son and by the testing it appears that he would need to start with the Epsilon. My question is, would he need to begin with an earlier program to grasp the concept, or could he just start right there? We are first year homeschoolers and have no prior experience. Any opinions would be helpful. I’d like to hear some comments before I place an order.
Thank you!
Angie in KY
We are also struggling with Math here as well. I am math illiterate…thanks to a teacher that I had, who gave me all the answers because he couldn’t explain anything to help me understand. I am right now trying Saxon out…my oldest likes it, and my middle child hates it. I have also seen Mammoth Math it looks really good, she keeps a blog as well, http://www.homeschoolmath.blogspot.com I also do some math literature. I am wondering if anyone here has tried that? Because I know of a website that is only math literature, and she keeps a list of books. http://www.livingmath.net Blessings,
Shannon
To: angieallen I would say start at Epsilon if that’s where he tests. All he needs for that is the ability to multiply and divide. Make sure you get the overlays because it makes is a lot more understandable. Steve is really good at explaining WHY you do math, not just how. Just sit with your son and listen to the lessons with him so that you will be able to help him if he needs it. The great thing about MUS is that there is no schedule so you can take as long as you want with every lesson. I remember that we spent nearly a month on long division and it didn’t matter because we just went on with the next lesson when she was ready. If you need help you can call thme for suggestions and there is also a worksheet generator on the MUS website if you need that sort of thing. I encourage you to get it…Steve really likes kids and has a unique way of explaining everything!
To: angieallen, We have been using Math U See for several years. We love it! Your question is a good one. You can trust Math U See’s placement tests. Your child will not miss any material because Math U See doesn’t just focus on the lesson being learned, but also on reviewing all previous material from previous books. There are several review pages with each lesson. Material being reviewed that they might have forgotten from a previous lesson, such as how to find the area of a figure, will have a brief explanation and at least one sample problem to remind the child how to find the answer.
I agree with the others who have left comments about Math U See. Steve Demme is very good at explaining the material. Also, everything covered in the videos is also in the teacher book, with sample problems. If you get stuck on something, they do have help available on their Web site.
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