Need advice *1st Grade Math* - Page 2

[naturallyspeaking]

subbing...

[True Blue]

We're using Rightstart Math and it's very much NOT about worksheets. There are very, very few to be done. So far it's been a big hit. I think with DS really just learning to write and having the stamina for any kind of writing it is a perfect fit. I don't think they are meant to be doing that much writing at this age! There is no reason math can't be at least a little fun, and a lot interesting. Rightstart teaches understanding rather than rote memorization (which is what it sounds like yours is teaching).

[Canadian_Eco_Ma]

We use Saxon one here.....I have used Saxon with all my older children, though we didnt do all of it the way they tell us too , it worked for them. My grade one though is having a really tough go because of how fast it moves from idea to idea. so w have stopped mid unit now to just review and GET the stuff we have already covered. Heather isnt the most grounded of people, so I am finding the she works better hands on , and saxon just moves to fast for her. I am not sure what I am going to use for her next year.
That being said, my two older children LOVE Saxon.

[Copper]

We are in "2nd grade" but on and off dd will complain about "hating math".
I think what we use (Abeka) moves too fast and have slowed it down....she normally would have a cow about still being in the "1st grade book" but has not complained sometimes we switch back and forth. We play games like sum swamp and a money one......(forgot the name) almost every day at lunch.

Out of nowhere she is now writing math problems everywhere, paper, dry erase board, like 10+10 and then 20+20 and getting them right and going on right up to 100 +100.......this completel shocks me....she "hates math" LOL

I am still always on the lookout but have not found anything else we would want to use at this time.

Also we NEVER do all the "problems" and timed studies and writing and so forth.......it would be way too much. She actually asked to do math flashcards the other day so I am thinking she gained a lot of confidence with us slowing down and making it "no big deal". We have also changed to doing math first thing in the morning......she is fresh, and we both found we don't "dread doing it all day" like we used to. I think it is hard to find a good mix unless you mix it up yourself it seems.

I am wanting to check out some of the books recommended on this thread though.

[saintmom]

I can't get the Patterns page to load!

I've always used miquon,I like the right start math games.Years ago I read About Teaching Mathematics by Marilyn Burns.It really helped clarify what I had always thought about math.
It's always easier to think about what you're wanting to acheive i.e. the four operations and then think what do I need to reach that goal.Thats when I gather up the cuisinaire rods,m n m's hundreds pattern board and overlays etc.Miquon Lab Sheet Annotations makes it really easy to write your own worksheets.My kids have actually taken butcher paper and sat around making and solving their own equations for fun!
I've had to realize too that canned cirriculm is just another tool in the tool box.Some we like some we don't,and sometimes we just make our own stuff.
I've never known anybody that did all the problems in a book LOL

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by saintmom

I can't get the Patterns page to load!

Try again - it may have just been down for a while or something, but it's working this morning:

Patterns in Arithmetic

Oh, darn - it didn't work the second time. I got a message that the page can't be found. There must be some glitches going on at AOL. But the third time worked...

Lillian

[nancy926]

We've never "done math" in any sort of curricular way. DD likes us to give her word problems (spoken) and she solves them in her head. If she has difficulty doing that, we break out little stones (from her Mancala game) or Cheerios and use those to figure out the answers.

If anyone has a recommendation for something a little more formal for a kid who loves math but so far does most of it in her head, I'd love to hear! I was thinking about getting the Singapore 1a and 1b, but if they are really repetitive I don't know if that would fly.

[AngelBee]

3 pages seems like overkill.

[mamabohl]

we're using Noble Knights of Knowledge, and there aren't any worksheets! lol. I can't really describe it, we've only done the first couple lessons. My son really likes it so far though.

[blsilva]

My son is in the first grade too, and the curriculum we use also has way too many problems per lesson, and is pretty boring. But we absolutley do not do every problem. In fact, at least half the time, we don't even do the worksheets. I look at them, see what he's supposed to learn form them, and then we do the exercises with manipulatives, a game, etc.

Or if you need to do some straight addition problems, try to make them more fun by doing them on a chalkboard (or dry erase board), or, better, with chalk on the sidewalk

It really is supposed to be fun at this age, but the books seem determined to make it as dry and boring as possible. I use them more as a guide. :

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by nancy926

If anyone has a recommendation for something a little more formal for a kid who loves math but so far does most of it in her head, I'd love to hear! I was thinking about getting the Singapore 1a and 1b, but if they are really repetitive I don't know if that would fly.

Patterns In Arithmetic uses a 3 ring notebook format with worksheets that are not the standard clumps of "problems" but pleasant explorations/discoveries and games with simple manipulatives and a bit of writing in of numbers. So if she's wanting to do something that looks more formal, she'd be pleased with this. It's aim it to help them learn how to think mathematically, and it's a fun approach. You can see sample pages, tables of contents, and sample games in their website.

Not that a program is at all necessary, but I feel that the most important thing is to "first do no harm," and Patterns is not the kind of program that's going to ask a young child to do a lot of boring, dry, and/or unnecessary "problems."

And another perfectly practical and effective approach for the younger years is simply to do lots of games:
Math manipulatives & games.
-Lillian

[nancy926]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

Patterns In Arithmetic uses a 3 ring notebook format with worksheets that are not the standard clumps of "problems" but pleasant explorations/discoveries and games with simple manipulatives and a bit of writing in of numbers. So if she's wanting to do something that looks more formal, she'd be pleased with this. It's aim it to help them learn how to think mathematically, and it's a fun approach. You can see sample pages, tables of contents, and sample games in their website.

Not that a program is at all necessary, but I feel that the most important thing is to "first do no harm," and Patterns is not the kind of program that's going to ask a young child to do a lot of boring, dry, and/or unnecessary "problems."

And another perfectly practical and effective approach for the younger years is simply to do lots of games:
Math manipulatives & games.
-Lillian

Thanks Lillian! She LOVES games. Mille Bornes is one of her favorites right now, but we have lots and lots of games. We play math games in the car, too.

I printed out the Singapore 1a test yesterday and she took it all (I read her hte words - she isn't reading yet). She missed only 1 question. She seems to like that kind of stuff; she thought the test was fun, so we may get her the 1b workbook she can do when she feels like it. The last thing I want to do is make it boring.

She is definitely naturally inclined toward math. I don't think we need to do a "program" until she asks for one, but on the other hand, she doesn't know what is out there, so she can't ask for it, kwim?

[MrsTittlemouse]

so, just a small rant that I ordered Noble Knights of Knowledge impulsively two weeks ago and I am still waiting. Am I just impatient, or has this been a long time? Amazon prime has spoiled me rotten.