X post Math Overload

[KaceeM]

I have a 4 almost 5 year old and I am trying to figure out her math curriculum for next year. I have pretty much settled on using MCP Math K and Singapore Essentials so I can space them out and create a semi spiral. I was also looking at Mathematical Reasoning A so my question is would doing all 3 be a math overload? This will be my first time homeschooling a kindergartener and I don't want to push to hard but she needs a challenge. She has been reading fluently for a year and is reading at a 4th grade level right now so I don't have to worry about that. I am using SOTW Vol 1 as our history spine and Mr Q Life Science, I just can't nail down this math.

[Kiara.I]

Well, you have a 4 year old.  Yes, I think three math curricula would be too much.  I think two math curricula would be too much, unless you're planning on taking it pretty slow.  You might consider doing math only about three days a week.  (Unless your child ASKS for more.)    If you're doing only three days per week, will you want to do two different curricula?

[KaceeM]

She'll be five when she starts. I have used MCP and Singapore Primary together for a 1st grader and a 3rd grader so yes even at three days a week I will still do both. I thought Mathematical Reasoning was a supplement not a full curriculum. I liked the look of it because it seemed to challenge the student and get them to look at things differently. 

[kirstenhill]

Not sure if you have looked very much at the actual books for Singapore Essentials, but book A is what many people would consider to be more of a preschool level - colors, shapes, identifying numbers, etc. I'm not familiar with MCP or Mathematical Reasoning, but I get the impression that they are workbook based as well? Unless your daughter absolutely loves worksheets and needs a lot of reinforcement to understand basic concepts, my guess is you could pick one primary curriculum (and maybe supplement with games or hands on activities), and then when your DD has a basic grasp of K math, just move on to a 1st grade level. She sounds like a bright kid If she is already reading that well, and K math is really just basic foundations to prepare for 1st grade level. I just finished Essential B with my K'er (we supplemented with Right Start games and c-rod activities) and we moved into Miquon Orange. Many people start this in 1st, yet my K'er is almost finding it " boring" because much of the material at the beginning of the book my DS already learned in Essential B.

[OneStepAtATime]

Why not do a primary and fill the rest in with lots of math games and practical application?  Read living math books.  Let her play and explore with manipulatives?  Ramp it up as she needs it but keep things really engaging and fun so she can see the really interesting side of math.  Have you looked at this website for some ideas?

 

http://mathfour.com/

 

 

[MotherGoose]

If she has any understanding of counting, colors, etc I wouldn't bother with Singapore A. I started my Ker with B and it has been perfect for her.

[boscopup]

I would only do one curriculum. Does she want more challenge? I have an advanced 5 year old. He does one first grade level math curriculum at his own pace, and I'm pretty lax about it. I don't feel like I need to particularly challenge him at this age. I have him work at his level, but he's still just a 5 year old. He has plenty of time to be challenged in his academic career, and he's happy with what we do.

 

I think if I tried to do 3 K level math curricula with him, he'd be bored and burned out. :)

[letsplaymath]

At this age, the most important rule for teaching math is the old doctor's adage: "First, do no harm." If she finds the curricula interesting and enjoys playing with the ideas, that's great. But if math begins to feel like a chore, then stop. There are plenty of interesting ideas to play with, and you gain nothing but stress by rushing ahead in math.

 

One great resource for playful activities that touch on deep math concepts: Moebius Noodles, blog and book (pdf available free or pay-what-you-want)

 

And my favorite how-to-teach-math resource for parents of young children: Talking Math with Your Kids, blog and book (and twitter @Trianglemancsd)

[mumto2]

I used multiple math curriculum from day 1 with both kids. We did the whole Singapore and Abeka sequences. I used a couple MCP books along the way. Many other curriculum s also. My experience was obviously with my dc's who both loved math and math games. Both preferred math to any other subject. Math was our fun stuff. With that in mind, multiple curricula was the way to go. My kids moved fast and I offered a variety each day. If they encountered something they found hard in one book I could set that book aside for a couple of weeks and bring it back out after another curriculum had introduced the topic in a more friendly to that child manner. Since they are close in age it was interesting to see what dd found difficult ds sailed through and vice versa.

 

When they were little we never worked in one book for more than 15 minutes. They always worked in one of the books each day but frequently did a page in each. I would never force this on any child but for both of mine it was right.

 

I just want to note both of my dc's are teens and are planning careers in math. I definitely did not kill their interest. I wouldn't require a strict timeline on these books as you go through them. You will likely finish the books at different times and introduce different books as needed. Flexibility is key.