Math advise for kindergartner

[babygemma]

Hi there,

 

My 4.5 yo ds is about to finish the last series of Singapore Earlybird and we've also been doing Horizons K, although not as consistent as Earlybird. Horizons, while visually attractive, skips around a lot, one day we're doing addition and then on to telling time and on to cardinal numbers. Is that just the nature of Horizons?

 

I would like to continue with Singapore 1A but I would like a transition curriculum where ds can really learn and visualize the concepts of number bonds and place value. I feel that he's not really getting that through Horizons.

 

I'm considering either MUS Alpha (or Primer) or Miquon. Do any of you have first hand experience with either of these or both and do you think it would be good to accomplish what I want? I'm just okay in teaching math, but would like a somewhat scripted program. I heard Miqouon can be a little abstract teaching wise.

 

Thanks for your input.

[SABE]

MUS definitely emphasizes place value. We have used MUS Primer and part of Alpha for Kindergarten this year, and my son and I have both been happy with the program.

[Chris in VA]

Developmentally, he may not be ready for place value. Doesn't mean you can't expose him to it, he just may not be able to get it yet.

[bethben]

I'm wondering the same thing myself. Speaking of math games, are there good file folder games for that age group with math? Ds has learned very well through games and he doesn't know he's learning!

Beth

[Spy Car]

Hi there,

 

My 4.5 yo ds is about to finish the last series of Singapore Earlybird and we've also been doing Horizons K, although not as consistent as Earlybird. Horizons, while visually attractive, skips around a lot, one day we're doing addition and then on to telling time and on to cardinal numbers. Is that just the nature of Horizons?

 

I would like to continue with Singapore 1A but I would like a transition curriculum where ds can really learn and visualize the concepts of number bonds and place value. I feel that he's not really getting that through Horizons.

 

I'm considering either MUS Alpha (or Primer) or Miquon. Do any of you have first hand experience with either of these or both and do you think it would be good to accomplish what I want? I'm just okay in teaching math, but would like a somewhat scripted program. I heard Miqouon can be a little abstract teaching wise.

 

Thanks for your input.

 

Miqoun is many of the things you don't appear to want.

 

It is not visually attractive (unless you are a minimalist).

 

It "jumps all over the place".

 

It is not "scripted".

 

But it does a wonderful job of getting a young child to think "mathematically". And it provides the tools to understand value relationships, solve equations (with rods), and inspire math confidence.

 

And the teacher materials (including the First Grade Diary) inspired me to be a better and more confident teacher.

 

It also does not introduce ideas such as teaching that the number 9 is like a vacuum cleaner that wants to suck up a "one". Some children may need that sort of "mental image" for others it may gunk their heads with non-mathematical notions. Learners are different.

 

Miquon excels at getting young children to think. To engage their minds. To look at a problem critically, and gives them the tools to find a solution.

 

Our boys are almost the same age. Using Miquon is something I'll be eternally grateful for.

 

But Miquon doesn't meet some of the criteria you've stated. On re-composing numbers in preparation for number bonds it will excel. But it is an "exposure" and "discovery" method that gets their minds moving, rather than a tightly scripted mastery approach.

 

Bill

[Narrow Gate Academy]

My 4.5 yo ds is about to finish the last series of Singapore Earlybird and we've also been doing Horizons K, although not as consistent as Earlybird. Horizons, while visually attractive, skips around a lot, one day we're doing addition and then on to telling time and on to cardinal numbers. Is that just the nature of Horizons?

Yes. This is why we don't use Horizons.

 

I would like to continue with Singapore 1A but I would like a transition curriculum where ds can really learn and visualize the concepts of number bonds and place value.

I'm considering either MUS Alpha (or Primer) or Miquon. Do any of you have first hand experience with either of these or both and do you think it would be good to accomplish what I want? I'm just okay in teaching math, but would like a somewhat scripted program. I heard Miqouon can be a little abstract teaching wise.

 

We use Singapore 1A in combination with Miquon Orange alternating days during the Kindergarten year. Singapore does an excellent job of teaching the concept and Miquon provides the hands on practice to support the concept. I have not found the early levels to be abstract at all. It is generally obvious simply by looking at the page what needs to be done. HTH

[Spy Car]

Miquon provides the hands on practice to support the concept. I have not found the early levels to be abstract at all. It is generally obvious simply by looking at the page what needs to be done. HTH

 

I think there maybe a misimpression between what is "abstract" and what is "unconventional".

 

As NGA (may I call you that?) is suggesting (and I agree with), is that Miquon provides very "concrete" means to the children. It is a great strength of the program.

 

But it also has unusual aspects. In the opening pages there are objects in boxes. The child is to "count" them. But instead of three identical bunnies or baby-duck there are strange looking shapes, each different from the next. This is deliberate. And it makes Miquon more interesting, at least for those who take to it.

 

A parent used to very "traditional" texts might take one look and flee. Thinking, "I can't do this, my child can't do this, this is "strange". Strange, it might first appear. But difficult it is not. And once the first hurdle is jumped it all makes sense. Miquon, despite initial appearances to the contrary, is not difficult. One need only slightly relax ones preconceived ideas about what a beginning math program looks like.

 

Bill

Edited May 12, 2009 by Spy Car

[Lovedtodeath]

Please don't go with MUS. Yes, they have place value down pat, but there are free programs that take one day to do that do a nice job too. (Wee Pip has one if I remember correctly.) MUS killed my DDs enthusiasm for math. She was advanced in PreK and we are playing catch up now.

 

Listen to Bill. I only wish I could.

 

If you want to switch to something that makes more sense than Horizons, and teaches very thoroughly and traditionally, then I would suggest Abeka.

 

Edited: Oh, but you know that. Hello again!:tongue_smilie:

Edited May 12, 2009 by Lovedtodeath

[HiddenJewel]

My recommendation would be RightStart Math. I like the ideas in Singapore but RightStart made it so I can teach them.

[Tired_Mama]

I would just like to point out that for some kids the jumping around is really very helpful. My oldest (3rd grade) loves Horizons b/c it suits her learning style and attention span. My math-inclined son, however (K/1st grade) is doing really well w/Singapore math, whereas my DD did not.

 

Did you already work through both sets of Singapore's Earlybird math? If so, you may just want to jump into 1A next; it does a good job of introducing and illustrating number bonds, especially if they've already completed the Earlybird books.

[yslek]

Please don't go with MUS. Yes, they have place value down pat, but there are free programs that take one day to do that do a nice job too. (Wee Pip has one if I remember correctly.) MUS killed my DDs enthusiasm for math. She was advanced in PreK and we are playing catch up now.

 

Listen to Bill. I only wish I could.

 

If you want to switch to something that makes more sense than Horizons, and teaches very thoroughly and traditionally, then I would suggest Abeka.

 

Edited: Oh, but you know that. Hello again!:tongue_smilie:

 

This made me smile, as I had the exact opposite experience with B. Miquon was the one program that made him cry on a regular basis. MUS brought back his math confidence and was the perfect fit for him.

 

So much depends on the individual kid. Miquon would have been perfect for me, and some of the activities were vaguely reminiscent of my own early elementary math days in Germany. But, for a boy who does not grasp things intuitively (not just math, but anything, including social cues) it's a nightmare. The approach in MUS of explaining something first and then expecting the student to figure out similar problems was just what B needed.

 

Back to the OP's request... I also thought of RightStart when I read your post. It's expensive, but wonderful...definitely worth a look. :)

[irizarry4]

:iagree:

 

If you like Singapore, you may just want to go into the next book.

 

If you would rather not do that right now, I will throw MEP into the mix here. I'm using Year 1 (or UK Kinder) with my first grader, and although we are flying through some things, she is really learning some new mathematical concepts that she didn't have before. I don't know if this would be redundant with Singapore.

 

By the way, the lessons are fully scripted.

 

Bill, how do Miquon and MEP compare?

 

Ivette

[Spy Car]

This made me smile, as I had the exact opposite experience with B. Miquon was the one program that made him cry on a regular basis. MUS brought back his math confidence and was the perfect fit for him.

 

So much depends on the individual kid. Miquon would have been perfect for me, and some of the activities were vaguely reminiscent of my own early elementary math days in Germany. But, for a boy who does not grasp things intuitively (not just math, but anything, including social cues) it's a nightmare. The approach in MUS of explaining something first and then expecting the student to figure out similar problems was just what B needed.

 

I can totally see this. If a child was not very intuitive, or had difficultly grasping concepts and was helped by a slow build of mastering concepts, I can see how MUS might be a better fit than Miquon.

 

We are very fortunate to have so many good programs available to us, and ones that serve children with very different needs and learning styles. One size does not fit all.

 

Bill

[Spy Car]

Bill, how do Miquon and MEP compare?

 

Ivette

 

They have a lot of superficial (or maybe not so superficial) dissimilarities.

 

MEP has a full lesson plan available that is teacher directed. Miquon does not. MEP suggests manipulatives (they can be "acorns") but is not built around Cuisenaire Rods like Miquon. We are only in Level One of MEP, but we haven't seen exposure to fractions, multiplication, and even basic division as in the first level of Miquon (Orange).

 

But where they are similar (and why I like them both so much) is they really get a child "thinking". Deeply thinking. And the challenge is fun for my son, and that's the same thing I've heard from those who've used it in the past, and others who've started using it recently. All report their children find it fun and it makes their "brains hurt".

 

MEP like Singapore at the same level has a pictorial to abstract progression. But is much more spare in it's design. No "cartoons". And it is pretty mathematical.

 

My son is loving MEP. It is far and way his favorite. But I don't think we'd be using MEP with the same success had he not been through a good portion of Miquon before we started. As Miquon (IMO) gave him the precursor skills and intellectual development necessary to start MEP at 4.5.

 

Bill

[Lovedtodeath]

 

This made me smile, as I had the exact opposite experience with B. Miquon was the one program that made him cry on a regular basis. MUS brought back his math confidence and was the perfect fit for him.

Just to clarify: I was telling the OP, whose child has breezed through Singapore, and therefore would seem to have a strength in math, what my experience was with my DD who was also strong in math at a young age. "Please do not go with MUS.", was specific to that situation, not a call to everyone.

[Karen in CO]

I have been saving Miquon for my dd who is also 4.5. But we started MEP because she wanted to do fun math like her sister. She is doing great in it without previous Miquon. However, she has been around RS, Miquon, MEP, Singapore, BJU, MUS and all the other maths I have tormented her sister with so she probably has quite a bit of mathematical exposure. I think the scripted nature of MEP makes it approachable to someone just starting a small one in math - kind of like RS A. My fear with MEP is that people with start a kid too young and fly through the early, easy lessons without waiting for true understanding, then hit a developmental wall and blame the program.

[Whereneverever]

We're using Miquon and Singapore together and I think it's the perfect mix. It seems like they compliment each other well and cover gaps. Miquon seems great for place value.