Let's talk K math...

[keirin]

I'm putting together my kindergarten plans for my twins for this coming fall. Right now, I'm considering:

 

Singapore Earlybird Math A/B

Math U See Primer or Alpha

Rightstart 2nd Edition Level A

Miquon Orange Book

 

I feel like I'm losing my mind looking at these different curriculum... which one to pick?!  :huh: I'd like to just order them all then sort it out, but that's not particularly cost effective. 

How are you choosing your math curriculum? Anyone feeling this persistent dread of choosing the wrong one and starting your children down the wrong path for math?!  :laugh: Advice, commiseration, etc. is appreciated.

[myloveisasailor]

I don't necessarily worry about starting my son (who will be in kindergarten) down the wrong path, but more that the program i have picked won't click for him.  In any event, I have chosen Rightstart and like you picked the second edition level a.  My only other worry is that it will be a difficult transition for him because this year we did mathematical reasoning, which he liked, but the two are very different.  Good luck! 

[HomeAgain]

Our goal for K is to explore math and math concepts.  Anything after that is gravy, and if I don't like something, I can get a better idea of what I *do* like and look at programs better the next year around.

[908874]

My son is in K right now and I'm still confused about the best fit for math. We live in CA and we are homeschooling through a charter. They have a curriculum warehouse so I can go and look at some teacher manuals...

 

We started out with Saxon math 1 because I had it. It's so parent intensive and repetitive. Then we changed to MM1 - it's been fine. But I don't like how they approach the clock/money and it isn't cute. So now I'm thinking of moving him to Singapore... Yup. He's fine. I'm the one who's confused.

 

I can say that just by looking at the parent manual for MUS it wasn't for us. I could see how it could work for some people. Same with Saxon. I can see how it would work wonders for some kids and not others.

 

Do you have a curriculum fair near by you can attend? When I lived in TN I went to one. It was fun. That way you can look through some of the books.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[barnwife]

We are using Miquon. I like that it allows our study of maths to go in many directions. We generally start every math period with free play with the c-rods. I am often amazed by what the almost 4 and 5.5 year olds will do all on their own.

It often changes what pages I offer them from the book. (I offer a choice of 2 or 3 pages.) Heck, sometimes we just talk about what they've done and never get to a lab page!

I think it's really hard to start down the wrong path at this stage for math (I'm not really even sure what that means!), especially given the curriculums you are considering. 
 

[dsbrack]

I'm planning a combination of Singapore and Miquon for K.  I decided to go forward with Singapore 1A/1B instead of purchasing their K curriculum.  Most of the same concepts are just repeated and I already have level 1 on the shelf.  I'll just take it slow and reinforce as needed out of Miquon. 

[Syllieann]

I've done Miquon orange and right start a v1. In both cases I had a toddler underfoot. Right start is really difficult to manage with a toddler. The manipulatives and the interactive nature of the lessons made it nearly impossible to do a lesson while the toddler was awake. Right start is probably slightly more advanced by the end of level a than miquon is at the end of orange. Miquon's sequence is also a little narrower, in case that matters to you.

 

I think Miquon would appeal more to a child who wants to do things more independently. The layout also allows the child to choose which thread to move through, giving a little more child-led feeling to it. I haven't decided which I'll use for my youngest when he's ready. Since there will be no toddler underfoot (Knock on wood) I will probably base it off of how do-it-myself he is.

 

I think Singapore early bird might be a good midway between the more two, but it seems like there is a big jump between a and b rather than a gradual ramp up.

[mathmarm]

...

Edited January 14, 2017 by mathmarm

[keirin]

Thanks for all the responses. :) I'm trying to let go a little bit but I'm a planner and checking off a list of objectives is what makes me happy. ;)

 

When I look at my own list I'm like "Girl, it's KINDERGARTEN, lighten up." ;) I'm a first time homeschooling mom, can't you tell? But my kids enjoy math, and I think if I can keep it mostly play based they'll really thrive... so I'm going to order miquon and some kumon workbooks and see where that takes us. I may end up adding in the singapore stuff and some rightstart games, but I think I'll wait and see how this goes first.

[vaquitita]

I'm in a similar math panic right now trying to decide what to use for my 5yo. I'm debating over the same programs too. Lol. Other than Singapore essentials, he's already done that (well not the last half of b, he was bored cause it was all math problems). I'm considering MUS primer (my older two are using MUS now), right start level a, and miquon orange. I'm feeling like MUS is kinda boring for young kids, though I like it later on. I will also no longer have a baby underfoot, so I could probably handle a more mom intense curriculum. As long as it doesn't require planning or brain power from me, lol. I can teach it, but don't have the energy to plan it. Open and go all the way baby!

 

But I can't seem to decide between right start and miquon. Right start sort of drives me crazy with its jumping around doing a million different things with a million different manipulatives all in the same lesson, but that's got to get better as you advance through the levels right? It's probably level A that's the worst for that, which is the only one I've used. My little guy is wiggily and sociable, and his handwriting is atrocious, which makes me feel like right start would be good for him. But miquon looks like it would be good too, fun (cause he loves the c rods) and hands on. How do you decide between the two? Lol. I have the right start 2nd edition level a teachers manual in my possession right now so I'm giving it a try currently to see if I can do it or if it will drive me nuts.

Edited February 3, 2016 by vaquitita

[pehp]

I don't think you can go wrong with at least trying Miquon. It is cheap and effective. If you dislike it, you can move on and there is no harm done.

 

I will say that I start Miquon in first grade, so you will need to be sensitive to readiness. (For my daughter I am doing K math with Singapore and we will do Miquon once she is about 6). HTH!

[FO4UR]

Thanks for all the responses. :) I'm trying to let go a little bit but I'm a planner and checking off a list of objectives is what makes me happy. ;)

 

When I look at my own list I'm like "Girl, it's KINDERGARTEN, lighten up." ;) I'm a first time homeschooling mom, can't you tell? But my kids enjoy math, and I think if I can keep it mostly play based they'll really thrive... so I'm going to order miquon and some kumon workbooks and see where that takes us. I may end up adding in the singapore stuff and some rightstart games, but I think I'll wait and see how this goes first.

 

 

Keep in mind that 1st Grade math will start at 1+1 = 2.

 

There is NO reason to stress about any lists of objectives for kindy.  If you can manage to "lighten up" (good idea), and let them to continue to enjoy play-based and discovery math (Miquon and games!) they will likely surpass any objectives you set for them.

 

Don't start Singapore until 1st grade, and then you'll need to evaluate where to start in Singapore. If they are consistent with Miquon in Kindy, they will likely skip over some of the Singapore 1st grade...or all of it...don't worry about that now, just mark on your calendar for next summer to evaluate where they are in math before ordering 1st grade materials.

 

I like the RS Math Games. There are many other math games available. (muggins) Rather than any other math curriculum, invest in math games.  

[Sarah0000]

We're likely to continue doing a little bit of everything. I like Miquon the best but DS specifically asked for the next level of Singapore, and I already have and like the RS Activities book and games package. Its like a big primordial math soup at our house...hopefully something good will come of it.

[blondeviolin]

We might be do a bit of Miquon.  But I basically don't stress math in kindy.  I had some kids who took to it and demanded it then.  And others who didn't care.  As long as my kids can count to 100, we're good.  (And even that's questionable because my extreme-visual learner still struggles sometimes at the end of first grade. :001_huh:)

[BusyMom5]

I have and plan on trying MIquon.  We already do a little bit now w/ the blocks.  I also have MUS blocks nad I think those are excellent to add!  I think instead of following a set curriculum, I am going to have a list of tasks I want completed by the end of Kindergarten, and then go from there.  Examples are things like:

 

Calendar- know days of week and the order they are in, be able to read the calendar (she will be putting the days up each day,and counting to that day)

Counting- to 100?  Skip counting by 10s and 2s, possibly 5s as well, understand how 100s chart works

Clock- read digital time only, this should be simple enough once she knows her numbers

Addition- know it means put together, no focus on actual memorization unless she wants to

Subtraction- know it means to take away, no focus on actual memorization unless she wants to

Logic- see how addition and subtraction are inverse operations, using manipulatives be able to describe each group and how it's related to the other two groups.

Measuring- fun with measuring cups and rulers to nearest inch

Geometry- already knows all basic shapes, we will work on harder ones, make and draw them, categorize them, ect.

Patters with numbers and pattern blocks

 

She already knows a lot of this, but I'm going to call this basic Kindergarten, and when she gets it all down, we will branch out as she feels interested.  My main focus is just to get her handwriting better so she can write the numbers herself!  I will keep it fun, and we may end up with something like Saxon 1 if I think she's ready for that later in the school year. 

 

[Peaceful Isle]

I am using BJU math k5 right now for my 4 year old. It tends to be on the easy side. I am planning to use MUS primer next year along with Calvert math. Hopefully it will turn out to be a good mesh.

[Shoes+Ships+SealingWax]

RightStart A, II Ed. will be our spine.

 

Miquon Orange, Singapore Essentials A/B, MEP, games & manipulatives will all be available if DS is interested or we need a break from RS.

[madteaparty]

Rest assured that you can not, I repeat, can NOT go wrong with math in Kindergarten. You can have a very enriching year of arithmetic without spending much of anything. I'm not saying DONT buy anything, but be careful about buying stuff. Your goal is to have fun with math during your K year and sometimes when I pay for stuff, I want my "moneys worth" so I have a harder time letting go of it if it doesn't work.

 

My advise:

Do NOT buy a crap ton of math manipulatives starting out. Buy no more than 3 manipulatives (C-rods, base-10 blocks, balance scales and an abacus are popular options) and see what you and your child do and don't like.

For things as generic as "counters" you can use bottle caps, duplos, or a dozen other items you have plenty of at home.

If you try a manipulative and it fails big time try and think about why you(r kids) do not like a certain manipulative.

Use that insight to guide you about other math resources you may acquire but also reevaluate every X months or so, because things do change.

 

If you wander how you can do basic math well without buying a curriculum then I can tell you about the things that we do:

• We are using base-10 rods as our go to math manipulative, but all day long we are counting, counting, counting and counting.
• We count objects and we count orally.
• We count on from point A to point B and count back from point D to point C.
• We skip count forward and backwards.
• We name numbers by their base-10 "math names" (Twenty-three is 2-ten 3) when we count.
• We use the blocks, die, beans, coins, and toys we have around the house to make patterns and compare quantities.
• We talk about even and odd, making pairs and having "left overs"
• We arrange identical objects to explore square and triangular numbers.
• While we do not currently read a bunch of math-themed picture books, we observe basic math in picture books that we do read.
• We teach him Chisanbop (finger abacus) and this is great for reinforcing the 5 + X nature of quantities 6-9, teaching him to use his body. (I know some people hate kids counting on their fingers, but the point is that this is a starting step. Eventually he will not physically use his fingers to do arithmetic)
• We have a number poster and we play a "Find it" I can tell him to find "2-ten 3" or show 23 on my fingers (chisanbop style) or build 23 out of base ten blocks or even just say "twenty-three" and he will search for and find it on the chart.
• We have number lines on the floor and some on the walls at the kids level.
• We use Kumon workbooks because Jr likes them, but that is not where he LEARNS the material.
• Jr, like most little kids, learns best through play and conversations and interactions with adults and older kids

Now, all of that is not to say "do NOT buy a curriculum". Its just a friendly reassurance that arithmetic can be explored and enjoyed and learned--and learned well--without a huge stressful event or product. Or even if you do buy a product don't feel like you can't do math without getting out that product.

 

ETA: We have found that all this counting practice, games etc makes it easy to for us to talk math with him.

I love this post, I really do. But as someone who did not learn what a "math manipulative" was until about 3 years ago, and has no experience or context for these things, we kind of need the curriculum to script us. Maybe it is just me, but this amazing math play does not happen naturally to everyone ;)

My house is covered in c-rods. When i set them in front of DD, she states "what do you want me to do, I'm just a kid."

Edited February 12, 2016 by madteaparty

[3 ladybugs]

I don't see it mentioned so I thought I would throw it out there. When my 2 year old gets to that age, I will be using Shiller. It has been WONDERFUL with older child. Not many people use it I know. I think it is mostly due to the cost of the program and people are unsure of it. I had to take the leap of faith when my son didn't do well with Singapore. It is montessori based so it is VERY gentle but very complete at the same time. It is customizable, and only teaches what the child needs to learn. Shiller works so well that my older son is able to take a few weeks off math every now and then and not loose anything! So we do maybe 20 weeks of math a year instead of 36. Your child may be different but that is how I use it with my older son. 

 

I should also mention that they have a downloadable version now that is under $100 for 3 years worth of math curriculum. 

[AndyJoy]

I have a particular love of math and math play, so I owned a lot of math manipulatives that we played with informally when my son was 2-5. The Kitchen Table Math books (possibly at your library) were handy as a springboard for what concepts to introduce. He has gravitate to math from a young age (like daddy) so I've given it more emphasis than is really "necessary" in general.

 

We started RightStart right before he turned 6 this fall and jumped to B because he'd learned A through our play. If I hadn't been comfortable just playing with math at 5, MEP (free!) or RightStart A would have been a good framework for me. Personally I love math manipulatives and they get lots of use here. I know others find them to be dust collectors but my visual-spatial, wiggly, game-loving son adores them and I can see RightStart is helping him truly understand what he's doing. I'm in love with this curriculum but I know it doesn't appeal to everyone.

Edited February 19, 2016 by AndyJoy

[mathmarm]

...

Edited January 14, 2017 by mathmarm

[MrsWeasley]

We used Rightstart Math. I used first edition, and we started with A. In retrospect, I would have gone straight to B. Knowing we will change to a more independent math program after C, I didn't want the upfront cost of the second edition. We have loved, loved Rightstart B. 

[Rachel]

I used SM Essentials with my first child, a nearly 6 year old when he started kindergarten. I felt Essentials was too easy for him, he isn't particularly mathy but it felt like a preschool program to me at the time. After he finished I moved in to Miquon and SM Standards. I didn't understand Miquon well enough to just do that.

 

With my current kindergartener she is doing both Miquon and SM. She loves math and likes spending a lot of time on it. Miquon is fun and kind of like playing to her. SM makes her feel like she is doing something big like her brother, I don't think you need two programs but that is what works for us.

[Rachel]

 

[*]We teach him Chisanbop (finger abacus) and this is great for reinforcing the 5 + X nature of quantities 6-9, teaching him to use his body. (I know some people hate kids counting on their fingers, but the point is that this is a starting step. Eventually he will not physically use his fingers to do arithmetic)

 

I remember learning Chisanbop! A dear lady ran a learning enrichment program out of her home when I was a kid and she taught me. She became a sort of mentor in my life.

 

She passed away recently but I had visited her a few weeks prior. She had dementia so conversation was difficult. She was unconsciously doing the finger movements of Chisanbop on my arm during my visit. I couldn't remember what it was called that day, but I knew what she was doing.

 

*Sorry for the little sidetrack, that just triggered a special memory.

[Holly]

I'm not a big fan of K math.  Everything seems to be repeated in 1st grade.  I've tried several programs (with 4 DC) and have only repeated one book, which was Saxon K.  I like this for their K4 or K5 year because it has very few worksheets and lots of playing with manipulatives.  I don't like the scripted nature of it, so I loosely follow the instructions.

 

• Righstart Math takes a lot of time.  My first DD wasn't ready for such long lessons, and it made for many unhappy lessons on both our parts.  If I did it again, I'd stick to a timer and stop after 20-30 minutes.  Sometimes I wish we'd just stuck with this one, but it brought DD (and me) to tears on a few occasions.  
• DS really liked Singapore Essentials--I'm not sure how different it is from Early Bird.  I wanted to continue with Singapore through elementary years, but DD didn't do well with it.  I switched to MUS after she got through 3A.  I think it would have been perfect for my DS, but at that point I didn't want to have two math programs going.
• Miquon was a bad fit for us...I just couldn't get the hang of it.  I think I tried this one simply out of curiosity.  If you are strong on math, you may like it, but math has always been my weakness.  
• We currently use MUS, but I start Alpha in 1st grade.  For K, I pull things from the massive stockpile of K math programs I've purchased over the years.  :blush:  My current K'er is using Liberty Mathematics K, which I actually like and is a great price.  

[Shoes+Ships+SealingWax]

We are beginning RightStart A as soon as it comes in. We started MEP in late Jan & DS blows through 4-5 lessons at a time. He LOVES math, so I'm not at all worried about the amount of time involved 😂

[AdventuresinHomeschooling]

We switched our of Saxon as we got higher in the levels, and it was so boring, but we did like the Saxon K book. There are no worksheets other than a calendar book, and we loved all the manipulative activity with teddy bear counters, playing store and patterns. We use this as our preschool math and then start the workbooks in kindergarten.

 

I would say that out of all of our many manipulatives, the ones we have used the most are the teddy bear counters. I thought they were stupid before we got them, but we even break them out to show multiplication and division in third and fourth grade sometimes. Yes, you can use beans or anything with for counters, but they make good role play scenarios in kindergarten such as showing a story problem with teddy bears or ordinal numbers. My kids like making up stories with them. In fact, I think we only have half the ones we started with because of their play.

 

We also use place value counters a lot, but not as much in kindergarten.

[cmarango]

You may find Singapore Earlybird too easy for the most part. I actually prefer using Singapore Essential math for pre-K, but I made a post a while back comparing the two programs with lots of pictures since it was so difficult to find preview pages. Sorry, I can't seem to link when on my iPad so you get the url:

 

http://www.blueskiesacademy.com/2011/03/singapore-earlybird-versus-essential-math/

 

I hope this helps with your choice a little, but those first few homeschooling decisions can seem so monumental. :). And as aside, we chose Rightstart as our full time program after I became disappointed with how Singapore treats the place value topic.

[5forMe]

I am finishing up our K year with my son. We started the year doing Shiller Math (because I already had it on hand) which was really easy for him. After several months I switched him to Saxon Math 1 which we love and he is doing great. There is a lot of practice and repetition with new math concepts but my newly turned 6 year old doesn't seem to mind it. 

[Sk8ermaiden]

I knew we wanted to do Singapore math through elementary, so I did Earlybird for K. Possibly the one easy choice I've had so far! I liked that the first semester was a really easy confidence builder, and then semester 2 got her ready for first grade. 

[TX Pilgrim]

I am always a fan of the FREE videos using C-rods over at education unboxed.  She starts with the basics and moves forward.  The videos are shot with her kids and they are just playing with rods and numbers.  A great introduction but she uses them all the way up to teaching division.   Playing with C-rods - just building and comparing - will do amazing things for your kids understanding of numbers.  

 

At our house we used Math Mammoth and Miquon for the early years.  Miquon was a winner for my oldest because he liked the independence.  Next year I will choose one of these to try out with my 1st grader.  For kinder we just counted around the house and played lots of card games - Zeus on the Loose, Skipbo, Uno, etc.  Playing Zeus on the Loose you count to 100 and focus on hitting the multiples of 10 so it is great practice for numbers that add up to 10.  There are "gods" in it that change the pile around (my kids hid Hera for a while because she takes the stack to 99 and they hated that).  So, for some that might be an issue - but they are just cartoon greek gods.  As they get better we try our hand at Cribbage (my father LOVES that game).  

 

I loved Right Start in concept but I knew in practice with little ones under foot I was not going to get through those lessons.  That said, they also have tons of card games that teach basic math skills in a fun way.  

 

It is hard the first time through - I totally remember having these same concerns.  Just remember that it is about being in relationship with your child and having fun with it.  So find the curriculum that will bring out the fun in you and in math and play with it together.