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A Home Business WorksHomeschool-Success.com |
Mathematics |
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| There are a lot of different choices of programs for learning math. When I started homeschooling I was hesitant to buy a formal math curriculum because many for for a specific grade level and I didn't want to waste money getting something that was either too easy or too hard. I used the little book by Ruth Beechick, An Easy Start in Arithmetic, from her Three R's set (on the Language Arts page). My son also liked some of the educational computer games and would ask about different math concepts so he could reach the next level.That and using real-life math was really all we used for Kindergarten through 1st or 2nd grade. My son didn't want to even look at a worksheet after 4 months in Kindergarten so this approach worked well for us. I got a couple copies of Ray's Arithmetic and bought Strayer-Upton's Practical Arithmetics for 3rd grade and used it a little too. I really liked the word problems and the mental math, but the type size was a little small and I found my son understood the math concepts well, but needed to work on speed with basic math facts. I really think that learning the concepts is more important, speed of math facts can be gained later. I am not a big fan of rote memorization in general because I believe it is overdone in schools. However, without quick recall of the basic facts, more complex math operations can be frustrating. I found a few great math sites that we have been using this year.
Since my 4th grade son really likes computer games, Timez Attack has been great for learning multiplication facts. They have a free download for the basic version and can upgrade to a paid version if you choose. The basic version is fully functional and covers the multiplication facts to 12
Mathematics Enhancement Programme (MEP) We have also been using a complete math curriculum developed and used in the UK. This is also free and covers 1st grade through High School. You can simple print the sheets as you need them, put them in a notebook, or bind them. You do need a password for some of the pages, but there is information on how to obtain the password. I just stated I was a home educator in the States and they emailed me the password right away. I am excited about using this program because it allows for flexibility and looks like it will help my children develop a strong understanding of mathematical concepts. I will probably still go back a little behind grade level for my kids just because I like the way some concepts are taught and because certain concepts are introduced in a more advanced way (which I like). For example, simple algebraic equations like the formula for volume is introduce in a very simple way at an early age. I attended school in Scotland and in Secondary school, we were taught maths so arithmetic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry were simultaneously. We just started very simply and built up to a higher level of comprehension and difficulty. When I came back to the States I had already done everything, so I was placed in 10th grade math (geometry), 11th grade math and Physics simulateously although I had just turned 15 yrs. old. This curriculum looks to build math concepts and understanding in a similar way. I like that the pages are not overwhelming and the lesson plan activities can either be used to enrich learning or explain anything the child needs help with, or the child can work independently if there are no questions. The younger grades will need a little more assistance, but older children could work independently and could even be given the lesson plans to work from along with the student pages.
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