SCM: Math Products

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  • Vanessa
    Participant

    Hi,

    I have several questions concerning SCM – Charlotte Mason’s Living Math: A Guided Journey DVD and

    Mathematics: An Instrument for Living Teaching.

    I have a 3rd & 6th grader.

    1. What grades/ages are the math products (book & dvd) geared more towards?
    2. I plan on using Ray’s Arithmetic (for both grades) and I would like to incorporate it with the SCM math products. If I only purchase the DVD for now, will that be enough to get me started (can it carry us through the year without the book)?
    3. Will the math book and/or DVD pair well with Ray’s Arithmetic?

    Thank you :)!

    Richele Baburina
    Participant

    Hi Vanessa,

    The dvd introduces what Charlotte Mason math actually is and then takes the viewer through how to teach the concepts found in elementary arithmetic up through the introduction of fractions.  I hesitate to say the age/grade as it depends much on the child but provides the methods needed through about third or fourth grade.  You can see a full list of the contents here.

    The book is a deeper look into CM’s philosophy and methods, discussing Algebra, Geometry, and Geography as well, and provides a reference guide that:

    1.     clears up the myths surrounding “Charlotte Mason math”

    2.     help educators judge for themselves if a curriculum is CM-friendly or not.

    3.     lays out how, when, and why mathematics were taught in CM classrooms.  This will help nurture good habits in your children.

    4.     helps educators who wished to teach math using Charlotte’s principles and methods, much like the handbook to which the PNUS referred in Charlotte’s original programmes.

    Ray’s is an oral program and works quite well with CM methods.  If you are going to go strictly with Ray’s then the dvd should be enough but if you would like to see how math was woven into the bigger whole of a CM education, then you would like the book.  It is a short read of just 100 pages but allows you to reference back as you teach.  Also, if you are decided on Ray’s and it has its own scope and sequence, you may wish to own Ruth Beechick’s Parent-Teacher Guide as a way to help you  track both your children’s learning through eighth grade.

    I can’t address Ray’s fully myself as, once we hit larger denomination addition, I switched to Strayer-Upton Book I and II for our sample problems while always employing CM’s methods.  This is what I used up to eighth grade.  My son is entering 9th grade and has the solid foundation in arithmetic he needs to begin Algebra.

    Have you been using Ray’s thus far?

    Best,

    Richele

     

     

    Vanessa
    Participant

    Hi Richele!

    Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions :)!

    This is our 2nd year homeschooling. Last year I was and still in the mode of finding what fits /what to use for our family along the lines of CM…for example, what to use for language arts (thinking about using McGuffey’s Readers or just use it mainly for reading), math, geography, etc. In general, CM Method is our main homeschooling style (which I love!). I feel so at peace and home with this learning style for my children.

    I touched a little on Ray’s Arithmetic last year, but not fully. We also used Life of Fred and some Math Mammoth for my daughter (she did not care for this after awhile so we stopped using it). I also came across another a free math resource “Everyday Arithmetic” by Franklin S. Hoyt and it seems similar to Ray’s Arithmetic, but wasn’t sure if one was better than the other or which one would be a better CM fit (CM friendly). I’m not necessarily married to one particular math program…still searching.

    I feel a little lost and need some guidance, where to begin, what to  use to implement CM methods and fully jump in. I’m considering using some of the products here from SCM as well as McGuffey’s Readers.

    Not sure if I should start with what I already have on hand:

    1. McGuffey’s Readers
    2. Story Starters
    3. Simply Grammar
    4. Ray’s Arithmetic
    5. Everyday Arithmetic

    Or should I invest in the SCM products: CM’s Living Math DVD, Using Language Well (as well as Hearing and Reading, Telling and Writing book), Spelling Wisdom and/or just The Living and Learning: CM Way dvd set (I wasn’t sure if this covers everything I would need vs purchasing those items individually or in addition too). As you can tell, I’m all over the place trying to put the pieces together and find a starting place for our 2nd year (we have not officially started the new year as yet). I want to implement CM Method in the most feasible and wisest way possible.

    I appreciate any advice you and/or anyone can offer :)!

    Thanks,

    Vanessa

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