Love 2 Learn.net

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

Math-U-See is a fairly new Math program, designed especially for homeschoolers, which runs from Kindergarten all the way through high school. The author is a former high school Math teacher who has attempted to balance a solid conceptual understanding of math with enough practice to let it "sink in." The program consists of a student text (workbook format), a teacher's manual, and optional practice sheets, special Math-U-See blocks and a teacher training DVD. I am very impressed with this program. The author does a fine job of allowing the students to become well aquainted with using numbers. I found math concepts very easy to explain to my daughter with the use of the very clever manipulatives (which might be thought of as a cross between "Base-ten Blocks" and Cuisinaire Rods). I was particularly impressed with how clearly place value is taught and how thoughtfully the child is prepared for future lessons (e.g. early on in addition, the child starts doing simple "solve for the unknown" problems in preparation for subtraction). Other skills learned include telling time, measurement and a heavy emphasis on skip counting (in preparation for future multiplication and factoring). My only complaint is that some of the material is contained only in the teacher's manual (I can imagine that this might have been done intentionally to force the parent to follow along in the teacher's manual rather than letting the child work entirely on their own. The author demonstrates how each concept works on the DVD so that the parent may more confidently teach the concept to the child.

Over the years we haven't always used Math-U-See as our primary Math text, but we have always found the DVDs and blocks useful no matter what we were using.

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

7-7-05

Miquon Math

Author(s):

Lore Rasmussen

1977

ISBN:

9780913684504

Publisher:

Key Curriculum Press

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Workbook

Review:

Miquon Math is a series of 6 math workbooks designed to be used in 1st through 3rd grade. They are named by color and not by grade level, so that an older child can use them without feeling they are "remedial". The workbooks are designed to be used with Cuisenaire Rods. I have had the books for a couple of years but have only started using them this year as a supplement for my 3rd and 4th graders. I hesitated using them before because they have an unusual format -- the pages don't necessarily have to be done in order, and are grouped by topic rather than in sequential chapters. Multiplication is introduced along with addition in first grade, and advanced concepts such as squared numbers and pre-algebra are introduced through use of concrete manipulatives. However, my 3rd grader now says she "loves this kind of math" and both the children have shown a better grasp of what numbers mean since they have started using the books. We've discovered that when the manipulatives come out and are used to illustrate concepts, the "littlies" want to join in. My 5yo was watching carefully as my 8yo tried to figure out the square of 4, and suddenly announced "It's 16!" He was so proud of himself!

I have ordered the Orange Book (the first one in the series) to start with my almost 6 year old. After completing the Miquon Series, a child can go straight into Saxon Math 54 or 65.

Reviewed by:

Willa Ryan

First reviewed:

1998-99

My First Number Book

Author(s):

Marie Heinst

Number of pages:

48 pages

1999

Publisher:

DK Publishing

Binding:

Sewn Hardcover

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Preschool

Kindergarten

Review:

This delightful picture book introduces many math concepts to preschoolers. We have enjoyed working through concepts such as counting, matching, sorting, sets, and sequencing. The illustrated pages make it fun for my son to discover more, less, and equal, addition and subtraction, geometric solids, and more. For example, matching begins with familiar matching pairs such as handprints, shoes, and earrings. Ideas of more or less begin to take shape as the child ponders such questions as, "Are there enough collars for the puppies?" Sometimes your child may surprise you with an unexpected answer; for example, on a page showing five puppies and three doghouses, my son confidently assured me that "each puppy can have its own house." When I asked him how, he said, "The puppies that are brothers share a house." To him, sharing was not incompatible with the idea of being its "own" house. The book also includes a few games. My son's favorite is a simple game involving counting backward or forward according to the roll of the die and directions on specific spaces. Numbers are incorporated into the book in other clever ways; for example, each page number is illustrated by a string of the appropriate number of items. See if your child notices. Near the end is a section of BIG numbers, which all my children have enjoyed. This book does an unusually good job of combining attractive photographs with questions designed to lead the child to discover math concepts.

Reviewed by:

Suchi Myjak

First reviewed:

5-5-2009

Piece = Part = Portion

Fractions = Decimals = Percents

Author(s):

Scott Gifford

Number of pages:

29 pages

2003

ISBN:

9781582461021

Publisher:

Tricycle Press

Binding:

Glued Hardcover

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Grades 3-5

Resource Type:

Picture Books

Review:

There are lots of fraction books for kids out there with photos of every conceivable flavor of... Pizza. This book has the fractions, it has pizza, but thankfully it does not stop there! It provides a progression of various portions to a sliced—but intact—pizza representing the whole (1/1 = 1 = 100%). The connections it makes between the fractional part and its decimal and percentage representations is what makes it different, and useful. My kids have had a difficult time making this connection at home, perhaps because their own homeschool teacher suffers from the same ailment? In any event Piece = Part = Portion, as my husband happily agrees, does this job well.

One page shows one egg in a egg carton: the facing pages says "1/12 of a dozen eggs, .09, 8 %". The next pages shows a girl in a soccer uniform and ten other soccer shirts around her: "1/11 of a soccer team, .09, 9%". Clean, uncluttered pages, nice photos of everyday things, effective results: a good Math aid for your homeschool!

Reviewed by:

Ana Braga-Henebry

First reviewed:

May 01, 2009

Saxon Math

Author(s):

John Saxon

Stephen Hake

Number of pages:

141 pages

1999

Publisher:

Saxon Publishers

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

I have friends who have used Saxon for years and are very, very happy with it. Saxon's circular pattern and constant review is exactly what they love about it. However, it was this circular pattern that caused problems for us. The way Saxon works (someone please correct me if I'm off base here) is that it introduces a new concept in increments, the child works a set of problems that teach a new concept, then spends the rest of the lesson reviewing previously learned concepts. The next day, another new concept may be introduced with a few problems and then review of previous concepts including a problem or two from yesterday. Then further on in the book the first concept learned will be expanded upon and the review continues from there.

The reason Saxon didn't work for us was that it didn't spend enough time on a concept for her to fully grasp it and once she had mastered a concept the constant daily review irritated her. So, we had many days with either a totally frustrated child that thought she was dumb because she "didn't get it" or grumpy because she already knew how to do it and didn't see the value of doing it again and again. As you can see it could very well be a personality thing. We discovered that Torie learns better in "chunks", i.e.. learn a concept, work on it until it is mastered, then move on.

Additional notes:

All the basic problem solving material and techniques are there - this is the whole rationale for the series. What it lacks is the founding principle that math is knowledge which is worthy of possessing for its own sake. Thus, it will fall short in depth. Practically speaking, it WILL prepare them for standardized tests - best at the lower grades. (Michael Van Hecke - headmaster of St. Augustine Academy in Ventura, California, and homeschool father)

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

1998-99

Saxon Math 2

Author(s):

Nancy Larson

Number of pages:

40 pages

1994

ISBN:

9781565770232

Publisher:

Saxon Publishing

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

Saxon 2 covers the arithmetic topics of addition and subtraction of one and two digit numbers and simple multiplication and division as well as the related topics of patterns, graphing, time, measurement, money, geometry and estimating. Although it uses manipulatives it is not a "manipulatives-based" program.

Each day's lesson begins with oral exercises called "The Meeting" during which use of a calendar, counting, time, money, and patterns are practiced. The actual lessons follow and are completely scripted in the teachers edition. They are designed for four days of new material and one day of review. Math facts are practiced every day as well, using flash cards provided with the kit and fact sheet drills in the workbook.

The beauty of Saxon is repetition. Concepts are introduced and then reinforced over and over again. In Saxon 2 there are games, art projects and physical activites as part of the lessons which provide a break from strict pencil and paper work. My children had been doing a strictly manipulative based math program previously so I thought they wouldn't like Saxon, but they love it. I believe it is because of the variety of activities.

One drawback to Saxon is the price which is close to $100.00 for the homestudy kit. The kit includes a teacher's manual, workbook, meeting book and cardboard manipulatives and flash cards. It can be found in discount catalogs or used from fellow homeschoolers. It requires a set of manipulatives which can be purchased separately at teacher supply stores or as a kit from the source given by Saxon and various homeschool catalogs.

Reviewed by:

Margot Davidson

First reviewed:

1998-99

Schiller Math

Kit 1 for 4-8 year olds

Author(s):

Larry Schiller

Binding:

Spiralbound

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Grades K-2

Review:

This is an impressive, complete, scripted, Montessori-based Math program. Though it's not 100% purist Montessori (for example, some of the manipulatives will provide changes in color and shape at the same time, where Montessori was very fussy about only working with one attribute at a time), I think it does a really nice job of incorporating her most critical ideas. I think it's a perfect fit for those who want to start with something really well-organized (such as those who appreciate Saxon's completeness), but wish to aim for a more holistic approach or are working with a child that might be struggling with learning challenges or unconventional learning styles. I was particularly impressed with how the materials helps the parent determine how much the child will need to work in each area. Note: The scripted lines are included in the workbooks. The books are workbook in format, but carefully make use of (and include explanations of) the Montessori philosophy throughout. The kit includes workbooks, answer guides and manipulatives for grades K-4. The manipulatives are quite nice for "inexpensive" products (in comparison with those you can purchase for starting up a Montessori school). The bulk of the expense of the kit is for the books. Some of the manipulatives are inexpensive and readily available at teacher supply stores, where others are custom made for Schiller, like the "numbers bank", a lovely set of numbers in a wooden box (with sliding lid) that helps teach place value (my kids have really enjoyed using this!). Scripted programs are not for everyone. They tell you exactly what to say at each point, which are helpful for some parents and annoying to others. The best way to more thoroughly understand the program offered here is to visit their website where you can view pdfs of all the materials included, sample pages and more: SchillerMath.com While this particular kit is intended for grades K-3, Schiller also has Math materials available for grades 4-7. The K-3 kit is quite expensive (about $500), but includes a large box of books and materials (including a CD of math songs to accompany the program), plus 5 years of free downloads of consumables - to cover younger siblings. Keep an eye on their website for discounts and sales which seem to come up frequently.

Perspective:

Catholic

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

10-29-2011

Singapore Math

Publisher:

Singapore Math

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type: