4Real Forums: Math question

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Nurturing the Years of Wonder
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Becky Parker
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Posted: March 21 2006 at 11:18am \| IP Logged

This might be a better question for the Math forum but I'll start it here. I am thinking about ds for next year. He just turned 5. He does very well with number concepts. I had thought I would just do Montessori type stuff with him for next year. However, I am also wondering about Saxon K. I understand it is manipulative based and there isn't even a student workbook at this level, which sounds sort of "Montessorish" anyway. I'm wondering if it will make life a little easier to have it all layed out for me, or if I should just use my Montessori materials. Has anyone else used this program? What was your experience with it?
Thanks!
Becky

Mary G
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Posted: March 21 2006 at 11:38am \| IP Logged

Becky -- I know there are many Saxon fans out there, but my suggestion is anything but Saxon. Saxon is HEAVY parent prep and involvement and I don't like the way they quickly cycle and then spiral back through. But that's just me.

You can teach him the same things by just showing him. Use the calendar everyday. Have him help cook (that's our favorite thing -- cooking math!). Get some magnetic shapes and let him make mosaic picuters and then explain what the shape is called. Read lots of living math books to him -- the books by Anno Mitsumaso are great (and most libraries have them).

You can also get a simple math workbook from any store (Walmart, Target or go to a school store) that you can go over concepts in. my 7 yos loves to do his workbook OCCASIONALLY!

Hope this helps.

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humanaevitae
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Posted: March 21 2006 at 3:16pm \| IP Logged

We use Rightstart math which I really like. Although the mom has to give the lesson, it is clearly spelled out and there is really no prep work. The woman who wrote the curriculum was a former Montessori teacher.

www.alabacus.com

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Becky Parker
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Posted: March 22 2006 at 6:04am \| IP Logged

Thanks! For Rightstart, is it possible to substitute other manipulatives? I have soooo many manipulatives from when I was a teacher as well as those I have collected over the years of homeschooling! It seems like a lot of money to spend on something I might already have.
Also, in regards to math, I received a mailing the other day from an order of Sisters (it was a fundraising type thing). Anyway, I paid attention to it because they were all dressed in full habit and looked very "traditional". In the backround of one of the pictures in which a nun was teaching, hung the Montessori bead material. I enjoyed being taught by nuns in grade school, but I wish we would have had Montessori materials. I thought that was pretty neat. I was also happy to see the Montessori method being used in a Catholic school with what seems like traditional Catholic beliefs. So often, Montessori is used in schools that are anything but Christian, which is a shame since Maria Montessori was Catholic.
Becky

Kim F
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Posted: April 02 2006 at 8:03am \| IP Logged

http://homepage.mac.com/montessoriworld/mwei/Math/mathindx.h tml

The Montessori World site has free illustrated math lessons that would introduce thebead material (which can be substituted with base ten blocks). This plus file folder games jumpstarted my little ones. Kim

Donna Marie
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Posted: April 08 2006 at 10:52pm \| IP Logged

WE have been using Rightstart too...and having learned a bit about Montessori maths, it is easy to see why she has set up some of the work the way she has...the amazing thing for me is the fact that it works well with alllll my kids...and they all learn so differently! I am definitely becomming a better facilitator with this program...it gets easier to teach the younger ones after the older ones broke me in and got me more diciplined!

I remember talking with her about Montessori Math and she told me she did a presentation to one of the Montessori organizations on the West coast and was very well received. She trained under her son Mario and she "respectfully disagrees" on a few points based on current research....

I do keep a Developmental Math workbook around for the kids to do some extra work on the side...it helps me when I don't have as much time as I would like on any given day and the kids like that as the workbook is set up for them to progress on their own...this is NOT necessary...but the kids want to do it this way...and it works for us! I like all the manipulatives too...the best part was when we made our own abacus out of popsicle sticks and skewers from a kit she had at her site. The kids always learn a lot about things when they get their hands on it...and the interesting thing is...even after several years they are going strong...even after they have been through the toddler mill!

HTH!

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Donna Marie from NJ
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