the Family Math books by Jean Kerr Stenmark -- anyone use them?

[Momma Aimee]

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Math-Equals-Jean-Stenmark/dp/0912511060/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I354O6NWV4F33P&colid=1CIXP5FKCGAFY

and

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Math-Young-Children-Comparing/dp/0912511273/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2006YFWEFZTVS&colid=1CIXP5FKCGAFY

I am thinking of investing in them to give momma some ideas on creatin g more math oppertunities in our day.  Hopeing to hear from some that has them -- our local Lib does not ...

[LauraN]

Yes! We use them for our homeschool math club. For each meeting we pick a topic, watch a Cyber Chase episode about it and choose some of the family math activities around that topic. Many of the activities are better done with one or two children, but a lot of them work well for a group, too.

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[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by LauraN 

Yes! We use them for our homeschool math club. For each meeting we pick a topic, watch a Cyber Chase episode about it and choose some of the family math activities around that topic. Many of the activities are better done with one or two children, but a lot of them work well for a group, too.

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do you think they'd be good activities for a 5 and 3 year old -- ?? just us most of the time unless a 5 yo girl (a year ahead in school) is at play date?

[scheelimama]

I have it and I think you'd like it.  It has a range of activities appropriate for kids your kids ages all the way up through junior high.  I think maybe 1/5th of the activities would be appropriate for you now.  They look simple to employ.  Though, I will honestly say I haven't actually used the book at all.  

There's also Kitchen Table Math, but I felt that this book was really above the age level it says it is for (2-8 years, Book 1), most of the activities were geared towards K on up to maybe a 6/7th grade level, well beyond 8 yr olds, unless they're mathematically gifted.  I like the Family Math book better.

[CCJWGM]

This is what I am planning on using for our math.  I am hoping it will work for us.  From what I heard it will.  However, I haven't actually used it yet.  My copy is still sitting at the library waiting for me to pick it up.  I am going later today and will give a full review tonight or tomorrow when I have a chance to sit and look at it.  I personally believe they are too young for formal math but want some ideas to help them without teaching them.  Does that make sense? 

I'll pm you later as well.  :)

[Momma Aimee]

thanks eveyone the support here is so great.  I love NOT having to re-invent the wheel

[CCJWGM]

 I got this book from the library today and am looking forward to buying it! 

For me, it's hard balancing Waldorf with a DD who wants more, more, more.  A DD with this "big" personality and all the energy to go with it.  It's truly hard trying to balance "no-academics" with a little girl who can't get enough.  I see this book as a compromise.  Fun family games to learn about math as a whole by living it.  As I said in the Kindy thread, I have a problem that I think too much in my head and not enough outloud to the children.  I think this book will help me a little bit in that aspect.  That's the same reason I like Beechick's Book "Language and Thanking For Young Children." 

[lmonter]

I think I have the second one linked for the younger children (from Rainbow Resource since I had a hefty order from them). 
I haven't been blown away by it yet, but we've been doing other stuff for math so far (much, much, much more hands-on - bonus if it involves making cookies).  I just figured it was a good resource for me to have on hand for when I need a little nudge or different way of applying a concept.  :)