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jenncatan
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| Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 6:07pm | IP Logged
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I'm looking for suggestions. We've been using Seton's Math 1 book. My dh can do the math problems but he literally cries when he sees the math workbook. I think he really just does not like workbooks.
What do you like to do for 1st grade math?
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Martha
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| Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 6:22pm | IP Logged
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Lol your dh cries over it? I totally understand. I cry over Saxon. ;)
However if it depends on if you want a different worktext or manipulative or spiral or mastery and how much time you want to spend on it.
You could try using nothing - basic math really doesn't need a big worktext. This is my favorite option that I've never had the guts to use.
Living Math is an awesome site to use too.
I also have some links to other options on my blog.
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Martha
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MaryM
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| Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 6:30pm | IP Logged
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Manipulatives are so good at this age with this level of math. It depends on the specifics of what concept he is learning what I would recommend.
Have you seen the Living Math website - a wealth of information on hands on activities and ways to make math come alive. Some specific places to look there:
Reading List - Early Concepts
Living Math Ideas - Ways to Learn Math Naturally
Math Games
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Mary M. in Denver
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Martha
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| Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 6:46pm | IP Logged
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Ack! Just noticed you're new here Jenn! Welcome!
I wasn't laughing at you dear.
Just thinking that truth be told there's days when the adult in my house is more likely to cry over a math text than the kids. 
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Martha
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AtHomeScience
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| Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 7:27pm | IP Logged
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So maybe I live MEP too much--much more fun than a page full of drill...my 1st grader loves to do his math.
I heartily recommend Living Math. Here in MA they also have this wonderful resource for school teachers, connecting math and literature (scroll down to see the links.) Living Math is organized by concepts while this is organized by grade.
We get the most mileage out of a dry erase board and a container of counters (plastic chips, critters, beans, or whatever.)
A great book is Family Math This is a large book with lots of ideas for elementary students. If your 1st grader is your oldest, consider Math for Young Children
Our family really loves the I Love Math series by TimeLife. There's a dozen in the series and you can usually pick up most volumes used cheaply. Very colorful, fun, and informative. Also the Hello Math Readers are fabulous.
Blessings,
Kris
At Home Science
Science of Relations
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Kristie 4
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My fave for a first grade aged child is to hang a hundred board on the wall (ours is in shreds after 4 kids)- my youngest two just studied it all the time and counted things. Now these two are mathy type kids but I found that simple was better at this age. The Math-u-See site has a free drill that does the trick too. I also had taught math-u-see for so many years that I was able to show them the 9-sucks 1 rule and the 8-sucks 2 rule, adding doubles, and doubles plus 1. Those simple things go a long way...
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Kristie in Canada
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Sarah M
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| Posted: Jan 31 2010 at 10:28pm | IP Logged
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Hi Jenn!
I like to rely on this article by Cathy Duffy and this little book by Ruth Beechick for first grade math. It's a very stress-free, thorough way to approach math at this young level.
Most math concepts at grade 1 (and 2...and 3....  ) can be approached through games and fun activities- without many (or any) workbooks. If workbooks aren't your ds's thing, then I'd suggest seeing if you can approach math without them- at least for a while. That Family Math book that Kris linked above is a good suggestion.
Take a look at the list in the Cathy Duffy article I linked-- your son may be able to accomplish much of grade 1 math already! Then it's just a matter of seeing what he needs to work on, and finding some fun and simple ways of working that into your day.
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KauaiCatholic
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ditto what Sarah says (she's so smart!  ) we used this approach, supplemented by Mathematical Reasoning for the entire 1st grade. we then eased into Right Start's Level B happily and easily for second grade and am planning to continue as far as it goes, since Right Start is getting a big  from kids and adults alike around here.
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 Viviane
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JennGM
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If you're thinking of changing programs, I'd suggest RightStart. After encouraging words from local friends, I went with RightStart, and we couldn't be happier. My son loves math time, it's his favorite subject, but I think it's because there is limited writing, and there are manipulatives and he can conceptualize the math concepts -- it's not just flat numbers on a page.
Each lesson is planned and scripted, making it very easy for Mommy. The only downside is if you are teaching multiple children at different levels, this can be too much Mommy time.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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KauaiCatholic
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| Posted: Feb 01 2010 at 6:33pm | IP Logged
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oops! I just noticed I linked to the Mathematical Reasoning A book when we used the B book. here's the right one, in case anyone is interested. Mathematical Reasoning for 1st grade. (this is the Timberdoodle link just because that's where I found it.)
FWIW, we were really pleased with this; my son enjoyed it and obviously learned at the same time. and in hindsight, I realize now that it fulfilled my requirement of feeling like we were DOING something for math, not just playing games, without being too structured or workbooky. (I'm sort of easing my way toward a more organic, unschooly approach from a "it has to be structured to count" attitude.  fortunately, my student has been patient with me and I haven't scared him off math yet.)
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Viviane
Grateful mama of Jonah Augustine ('01), Sophia Marie ('05) and Luke Dominic ('10)
We can do no great things; only small things with great love. -- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
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drmommy
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I think I have mentioned this before, but christian light publications has been wonderful for us (www.clp.org)
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HeatherS
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| Posted: Feb 03 2010 at 10:42am | IP Logged
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We totally enjoy Right Start too. I've used this book to get us started w/math concepts taught the Right Start way.
We've also found this series by Cindy Neuschwander and this series by Greg Tang to be fun.
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Heather
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MNMommy
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We are another family of RightStart lovers. It is teacher intensive in that you need to teach every lesson for the entire math period. I've used Level A for K - 20 min lessons for 2 days/week. I've used Level B and part of Level C - 25 min lessons for 4 days/week. Our total time for math is less than other programs, but I am actively involved the entire time. I've seen where other 1st and 2nd graders are spending 45-60 min/day on math. That would be too much for us. I have also found that it is easiest to teach if you don't have babies or toddlers interrupting. 
That said, I love RightStart. My dd chooses to do math first every day. I will sacrifice a lot to keep this program for our family. I also love Level A. I know it's optional, but I found it to be a wonderful starting point for both my olders. Level A was also fantastic training for me on how to teach the RightStart way.
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Jennifer
Tired mom to - 10yo dd, 7yo ds, 6yo ds, 4yo dd, 2yo ds
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folklaur
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We enjoyed Noble Knights of Knowledge, but i don't know if that is available anymore.
my dd also really, really loves Singapore. I am not sure why. but she does.
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Topic: favorite 1st grade math ideas
