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Richelle
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I’ve been reading and using Mathematics, An Instrument for Living Teaching in conjunction with Strayer Upton book 1, with my 8 yr old. He insists on writing out the problems, I think it’s because he gets to use the whiteboard on the iPad, he’s also making his own math notebook. I’m assuming this is ok because he’s taking the initiatives do doing it own his own? Also,he gives explanations for how he came up with his answer and they usually go something like this: 1+2+3=6, I took the 1 and put it with the 2 to make 3 and then put the 3’s together to make 6. Is this wording ok for now? Also, Sometimes he gets his answers by drawing little dots and counting them, is this ok? He does occasionally use the manipulatives, I do however use them to model problems for him.
Hi Des,
I’m thinking the easiest way to see if it is just the novelty of the white board that has his attention and not the ideas found in the lesson is to have a few lessons without it. Have a coin bag on hand with dimes and pennies, and give him orally some of the simple story sums found in the book (always feel free to change names to reflect people he knows, his own interests). Change the manipulative to beans (or craft sticks/ten bundles if he is above 10) and give him some more simple sums orally. Is he working these with ease with the manipulatives? Working them with ease without the manipulatives?
I’m also wondering how he is with handwriting in general? If he is writing with ease enough to handle written narration rather than oral narrations then he is probably able to not lose the idea or importance of the math lesson with writing sums. Do you see how CM’s methods correlate here? Work was mainly oral throughout elementary arithmetic and other subjects in order to build attention, accuracy, concentration and clear thinking, etc. as well as to not have ideas overshadowed by the act of writing.
Do you mind telling me where you are in the scope and sequence? Is he in the explorative stage of number, building comfort working on them (pp. 23-29 in the handbook) or is he further on, learning his addition table (pp. 29-30)? Have you the dvd’s or watched the sample lessons?
Best,
Richele
Richelle,
Yes, he does use the manipulatives with ease when he uses them. And yes, he does work simple sums with ease without the manipulatives. I’ve not had him do written narration yet but he does enjoy writing his own little stories and doing little drawings of his characters. We do not have the dvd’s, just the book and I have the samples, they are wonderful by the way. He’s working on his addition tables.
Hello Des,
It’s such an encouragement to hear of mothers-educators trusting in Charlotte’s methods in the area of arithmetic. It seems your son is doing very well and I hope he is enjoying his arithmetic lessons. I’d be really happy if you kept me abreast on your/his progress. As for written narration, I know you didn’t ask, but you might have him write a part of his narration or write a little bit on a simple thing he knows for a start. You may find more in ‘Composition’ comes by Nature on p. 247 of CM’s Vol. I if you are interested.
We know from Charlotte’s correspondence that her joy in the children’s work was equaled by admiration for the teachers who so faithfully worked out her principles and method. I’ll share in her joy and thank you for your kind words as well.
Warmly,
Richele
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