What are good math curricula for pre-K?

[green_momma2007]

My son, who is almost 4.5 will be starting homeschool in September. I'm looking for a math curriculum that I will be able to use when he's in Kindergarten but that I can use every once in a while this school year as well. I'd prefer something that has little workbook style activities and lots of manipulatives. I'm heard that Right Start and Math U See are good programs. Anyone familiar with these or have any other recommendations?

[rsps]

Sinapore math might be a good fit. The earlybird program has colorful workbooks that can engage a pre-k (we only did a little at a time as ds was interested.) And they tie in to the full Singapore program for elementary and upper grades.

The earlybird books don't come with manipulatives, but at the bottom of each page is an activity that is suggested to do with the children.

[duolaura]

We used Saxon K for our first year of home school and really liked it. My 5 yo and 3 yo both looked forward to math time-lots of manipulative play. I was initially taken aback by the "script" the teacher's guide provides for the lessons, but it was actually very helpful and flowed nicely. We are getting ready to start Saxon 1 tomorrow!

[Love_My_Babies]

We also did a lot of math games and play. Skipbo, Uno, card games, Yhatzee, Pass the Pigs (great for addition), Chutes and Ladders, etc. And, my oldest loves the Kumon math workbooks. Once he got through the first few workbooks, we picked up Saxon and all of the manipulatives off Ebay.

[kristin0713]

RightStart all the way If you do a search here you will find lots of great reviews. We are starting this soon (my DD is 4.5) and I am so excited. The more I read through the curriculum, the more I am convinced that it is one of the best ways to teach math. (Just my opinion, though )

[green_momma2007]

Originally Posted by kristin0713

RightStart all the way If you do a search here you will find lots of great reviews. We are starting this soon (my DD is 4.5) and I am so excited. The more I read through the curriculum, the more I am convinced that it is one of the best ways to teach math. (Just my opinion, though )

Does it use manipulatives or it is more workbookish?

[kristin0713]

Manipulatives, a lot of games, some worksheets. I don't think the worksheets are used until later though, not at the beginning levels (not positive about that.)
http://www.alabacus.com/

[dotnetdiva]

I can't recommend RightStart highly enough.

If it is too costly for your budget, I would then suggest MEP Math Reception year, it's free and it looks great!

[mylylly]

Floor number activity mats

We do not use workbooks for our math and my 6 year old is doing multiplication and division because it is FUN! I purchased from Lakeshore Learning - Number Activity Mats ($20.00 aprox.). Each number has its own circle mat (1-20), with cute picture objects to count. 1 - 1 cake, 2 - 2 ice cream cones, etc.. We simply line them up the floor and they (6 & 8 year olds) hop from number to number and call the number out loud. Then we do simple adding and subtracting all while jumping from number to number. When we needed to go higher than 20 I went to a store and purchased a yoga floor mat ($10.00), cut out our own circles, and wrote the numbers on with markers. We made up all sorts of games with those number mats! Counting by 2's, 4's, 5's, etc; mixing the numbers in a big mess "swamp" and the kids have to find the next number and jump to it without falling in the "water".

[nov05mama]

I really really REALLY wanted to go with RightStart, but it was just too much right now...so we are using Singapore Math and also plan to supplement with MEP if needed (it's a great free resource!)

[heatherdeg]

We love "Hands on Standards" which is entirely manipulatives based and not horribly aggressive. It starts at Pre-K level.

My son is now 6yo and we use Saxon, but I reinforce with Hands on Standards.

Oh... and CHEAP! The link is to Amazon, but if you can find a local teacher store or Lakeshore Learning, they might have it cheaper!