Math

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June 1, 2006 By kimc

We tend to be relaxed, eclectic homeschoolers. Hence, much of our curriculum is rather informal.
However, our math is more structured. This is partly because although I do believe that math can be taught informally, I am a math lover. Some people think in pictures, others in words. I think in math. Well, practically. At any rate, I have a hard time slowing down, explaining and breaking down the concepts for the children. It all makes such perfect sense to me! I really need a text book to help with the job.
Interestingly, many homeschool skeptics believe that undereducated parents will have trouble teaching their own children; my best subject is the one that I often find most difficult to teach.

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For those who are curious, here is our typical approach for math:

For the very young, we simply practice counting and number recognition. This happens when I’m wrapping the ponytail holder around the toddler’s hair (1 time around, 2, 3…) and when I’m handing her pretzels or animals crackers or apple slices one by one. We count her eyes, ears and fingers. We count her sisters’ hands and feet. We count her doll’s toes. We count Daddy’s shoes. She counts back to us. Counting is part of life.

When she can count higher, much higher, we’ll try counting the daddy longlegs on the wall in the morning. Just in case you’re wondering, a vacuum cleaner hose with the crevice tool attachment does a great job of sucking them up. Then they writhe around inside the clear bagless canister of our vacuum as if they were in one of those medieval paintings of hell. But I digress.

The preschoolers watch counting videos (two of our favorites: Richard Scarry’s Best Counting Video Ever, and Leapfrog Math Circus).
They count cups and forks and napkins as they set the table. They figure out how many big and little plates we need.
They do Age Pickups and Double Your Age Pickups.
Preschoolers in our house love to play card games such as War, Slap Jack, and MathWar. The last is our own invention: very much like regular War, except they lay down cards 2 at a time and whoever has the greater sum wins the match. This also works later on for multiple addends, subtraction, and multiplication.

As soon as they can count, write numerals, and understand the concept of simple addition, they get to start Spectrum: Math, Grade K. This a greatly anticipated privilege.
We use the Spectrum series through the 3rd or 4th grade level, depending upon the child’s natural ability in math – some need more time to prepare for the next step, others are ready to forge ahead at top speed.
About this time, they develop a hearty interest in Monopoly, Rummy, and other games that require slightly more advanced math skills. They mark their height on the walls, and measure their arms and feet and waists.

When they are ready, they start Saxon Math 54, and go on from there. We like this particular program for its wide scope and constant review. I also think Saxon does a great job of breaking down new concepts into small, digestible bits – such a good job, in fact, that the kids often think they already knew all that. Sorta like Doug Wilson’s teaching.
One little tip: although I linked and love CBD (and yes, they give me more generous kickbacks), I always buy our Saxon Math used, usually through Amazon. We like the nice sturdy older edition hardbacks with a nice sturdy matching hardback teacher’s edition. Most of these books have already been through several students and will last through our several as well. Some of us also find something satisfying about a used book.

Just be sure that your student text and teacher edition are both the same edition. Like the State Trooper comment, just take my word on this.