Susie in MS Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 If you use R&S math for the younger years how would you go about adding mental math without adding a whole other curriculum? I really like the simplicity (if not the excessiveness) and sweetness of R&S math, but I can't wrap my brain around teaching place value the way they do. I can see a child learning the the *places* but NOT the value. In this instance I know to add Popsicle sticks so that the value of the places can be grasped. What else would you do different, especially with mental math? Any simple guide that can help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 If you use R&S math for the younger years how would you go about adding mental math without adding a whole other curriculum? I really like the simplicity (if not the excessiveness) and sweetness of R&S math, but I can't wrap my brain around teaching place value the way they do. I can see a child learning the the *places* but NOT the value. In this instance I know to add Popsicle sticks so that the value of the places can be grasped. What else would you do different, especially with mental math? Any simple guide that can help? You know, it's just first grade. The little dc are just beginning to understand stuff. As time goes on, they *do* learn the value...although I gotta tell you, my mind is twitching a little trying to understand what you're saying. The difference between the place and the value?? I don't even know what you mean, and I'm not too bad in math. :-) I'd stick with R&S, maybe adding the blacklines. But I wouldn't add anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 R&S teaches that God has a place for things, Farmer ? has a place for each of his animals, and there is a place for the digits. It shows how the ones go in the ones column, tens in tens column. But as far as I have seen (even in the 2nd grade book...and I could have missed it) I don't see where they teach that the digits in each of these columns have different values. In other words a 3 in the ones columns has a value of 3, but that same 3 in the tens column has a value of 30. This concept can be grasped easily with bundles of popcycle sticks. I was looking at the K-Liberty math and even at that point they teach that the columns have value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 You can buy Activities for the ALAbacus, which is the original form of the RS program. It's inexpensive, maybe $20?, and has thorough explanations of how to teach the concepts the RS way, complete with abacus and mental math. You could even get the games book, which fleshes out the concepts with fun games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary in NJ Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I think I know what you are trying to ask. I remember the Farmer's barn with the animals. Can't remember if it was the 1st or 2nd grade. Look in the teacher's book and it will explain the scenario using the barn animals. I seem to remember that the lamb (the smallest animal) was in the 1's column, and I can't remember who was in the 10's, maybe the pig? Then the horse (the largest of the barn animals) was in the 100's column. If you follow the scripted lesson plans, it will direct you through what each animal stands for, and how to use the chart/barn. Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 They use a lot of oral reading of numbers in the warm-ups so you keep saying 3 HUNDRED TWENTY EIGHT while pointing at the numbers. You also do a lot of adding of dimes and pennies which also reinforces place value. Ds didn't have any problem with understanding place value. He did suffer a mental melt-down over the addition and subtraction facts, but I'm pretty sure this is just a developmental thing with him. We took a break to try to go back and solidify them. If that doesn't work, he'll move on using an addition table until he gets them. R&S does not emphasize mental math techniques. There is no mention of "counting on" at all. They do use number bonds without calling them that in 2nd grade. I think this is actually what blew my son's mathematical mind a bit. But this is much more an autism thing than it is a R&S thing. Of course, there are lots of good math programs out there and they'll eventually get you to the same place. I'd pick the one that most appeals to you the teacher and give it a try. If it doesn't work well for your student, you'll have a better idea of what to look for in a second program and your chances of getting it right will be much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted March 14, 2009 Author Share Posted March 14, 2009 What are number bonds? You all are helping a LOT! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Number bonds are learning facts by whole and parts. So you learn 7,5,2 as a group that makes the following facts: 5+2, 2+5, 7-5 and 7-2. Singapore calls them number bonds, R&S doesn't call them anything but you say 7 is the whole and 5 and 2 are the parts. First grade presents facts by number houses that all equal the same sum, second grade uses these triplets to represent facts to 10 and then to go on to 18. You use black and white boats for the facts to 10 and then pink and red clover with and without bees through the teens. The pink goes to 10 and red in the teens and bees go on one part, no bees on the other. This is much clearer visually than my description. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 Your description was great! It was the Singapore term that thru me. I am just now getting more and more of an understanding that there are several roads that lead to Rome when it comes to math. :lol: Thanks everyone!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary in NJ Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Just for reference, mental math starts in 4th grade with the Rod and Staff Math. Thought you may want to know so that you do not buy anything extra! There will be exercises during oral drill, that is listed in the teacher book. For example, you would ask the student: 5 + 2 X 2 - 4, etc., and then it continues to get progressively more challenging throughout the book and into the higher grades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julieofsardis Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Just for reference, mental math starts in 4th grade with the Rod and Staff Math. Thought you may want to know so that you do not buy anything extra! There will be exercises during oral drill, that is listed in the teacher book. For example, you would ask the student: 5 + 2 X 2 - 4, etc., and then it continues to get progressively more challenging throughout the book and into the higher grades. I was thinking -- wow! I thought R&S was great on mental math. I guess it's because that's when they start. Anyway, I wanted to reiterate that I believe R&S does a great job with mental math. Just hang on to your tators and you'll get there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 I was thinking -- wow! I thought R&S was great on mental math. I guess it's because that's when they start. Anyway, I wanted to reiterate that I believe R&S does a great job with mental math. Just hang on to your tators and you'll get there! :lol: Okay, holding taters! Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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