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Michiel
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| Posted: Aug 21 2009 at 6:29pm | IP Logged
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Hi. I usually lurk, but certainly get so much useful help from this group. My question is whether you think that a packaged math curriculum is necessary. My ds, 8, is behind in math. He doesn't shun it, but he just hasn't yet made the logical connections. "If 2+2 is 4, what is 2+3?" He hasn't figured that out. We started homeschooling last March. So far, we have been doing just basic math facts with dominoes, dice, and an occasional worksheet. We only do 5 minutes' worth, as his attention won't take any more, but that is so much more than was getting done at school.
So do any of the math curriculums really add more to the math experience than creative ways to learn the facts at this point? Is it worth the money at such a basic level?
I would love to hear your input.
Michiel, mother of 2 sons.
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melanie
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| Posted: Aug 21 2009 at 6:48pm | IP Logged
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Someone (I think it was on here!) said that her kids went right into Saxon 54 around 4th grade with no formal math...they just learned the basics like you described, informally, playing games and such, and then did fine walking into Saxon 54...I imagine it could work with other curricula too...
Also, my oldest basically started math over in 5th grade. She's dyslexic and struggled a lot in the early grades. In 5th grade I bought Math U See Alpha and she quickly worked all the way through the Delta level in two year's time. This year, in 7th grade, she is starting Saxon 76 and doing just fine with it. Math U See is a program that lends itself well to working at your own pace that way.
Hope this helps some!
__________________
Melanie
homeschooling Maria (13yo), Kain (10yo), Jack (5yo), Tess (2yo), and our newest blessing, Henry Robert, born 4/23!
slightlycrunchycatholic.blogspot.com
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ekbell
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| Posted: Aug 21 2009 at 7:31pm | IP Logged
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In my opinion the main use of packaged math curriculums in the early grades is to provide a sequence, problem sets and teaching ideas. Sometimes manipulatives as well.
If you know what you want to teach in math I'd say that you shouldn't need a packaged curriculum as you can find problem sets easily enough and if you need ideas for teaching or manipulatives there are places to ask.
I personally use a basic set of workbooks (the Canadian version of Spectrum Math if you are curious) to give me a scope and sequence to follow and problem sets if needed. It's simpler then looking for them online.
We normally use various around the house manipulatives (for adding and subtracting we normally use coins or the number line on a ruler.) While we normally just work in the workbook, I have subsituted using a math program or game on occasion.
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: Aug 22 2009 at 3:09pm | IP Logged
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We use the full Montessori sequence, so I don't worry about having a curriculum. However, my son loves workbooks as a treat (!?) so we have a few on hand for each grade level and he works on them when he likes. This way, I know he understands the concept at hand (with the Montessori materials) as well as how to answer worksheets and the like (for standardized tests later).
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Garden of Francis
HS Elementary Montessori Training
Montessori Nuggets
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JuliaT
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| Posted: Aug 22 2009 at 3:27pm | IP Logged
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I am not using curriculum for my youngest. I do use a math book (RightStart) for a guide as to what I should be teaching but other than that we do our own thing with storybooks, games and real life. So far it is working well but we are only starting Gr. 1 
Blessings,
Julia
mom of 3(10,8,6)
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cvbmom
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| Posted: Aug 22 2009 at 3:30pm | IP Logged
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If you'd feel better with a math curriculum so you can keep track of things, Math On The Level might work for your family.
Just a thought...
God bless,
Christine
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Wife to dh - 18 years!
Mom to dd (16), ds (15), dd, (12), dd (11), ds (9), dd (8), dd (7), ds (5), dd (3), ds (2), and ds (1)
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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: Aug 24 2009 at 10:37am | IP Logged
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My 8 year old was using a math workbook last year, but became so bored with it that I promised a workbook free curriculum this year. I have ordered (but have not yet received) a book called Math For Your First And Second Grader: All You Need To Be Your Child's Best Teacher by Steve Slavin. Rainbow Resource carries it as well as Amazon. It looks like a good(and simple?)way to make sure the basics are covered without a workbook. Sorry I can't give you more info but Rainbow Resource has a good description and sample pages.
In addition to this, I plan to use a lot of games (DS "loves" games) and a few living math books if he is interested.
Update: I actually received this book today and it looks just like what I was expecting: "simple" but solid way to cover basics without a workbook.
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Aug 24 2009 at 9:19pm | IP Logged
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We use RightStart math, and I was just thinking today that I love the scripted manual. Everything I need to cover is right there for me. It is not boring- there is a lot of hands-on learning and lots of games. I tend to break each lesson down into 2 or more shorter lessons, too, so it is not overwhelming.
I do add in living math books, which the kids love, but having the curriculum is one less thing for me to think about planning. For some reason math is the one subject that gives me the heebie-jeebies as far as planning it on my own.
For us, RS has absolutely been worth the money and is a great fit.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Aug 25 2009 at 6:48am | IP Logged
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I use Singapore as math is not my strong suit.
I use most curriculum as a spine and don't follow it exactly.
I have found though, that with ds who is 6th grade, I follow it more than dd who is 1st.
It gives me confidence that they are learning what they need to be learning.
It helps them develop some discipline to do some school work--we are pretty relaxed here.
I am learning way more than I ever learned in elementary school about math--and the other subjects we use curriculum for.
With Singapore sometimes we do the lesson in the text and if we need to work on a skill proceed to workbook. If it looks fun I follow the lesson in the home instructors guide, skip the text, and we make up problems to practice. Sometimes, like for conversions, we do ALL the work in ALL the books and I have to go out on the internet or to some extra math workbooks I have around, for more practice. I know for ds we will buy the extra practice problems starting with the next book.
I like knowing the skills I need to work on with my kids and I can come up with interesting ways for them to work on them through the day.
Anne
PS-and Singapore is pretty inexpensive through Rainbow or used.
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Nedra in So. CA
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| Posted: Aug 25 2009 at 10:09am | IP Logged
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n/a
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Michiel
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| Posted: Sept 14 2009 at 8:37pm | IP Logged
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I'm a little tardy here, but I just want to thank everyone for their thoughtful replies. It was so very helpful, esp. in helping me feel OK about investing in a program right now. I think I'll know when it's time to move beyond the facts and onto new horizons.
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4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers
Topic: Is a curriculum necessary?
