| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Homeschooling by Subject Math for Homeschoolers A Sampling of Popular Math Curriculum by Julie Shepherd knapp, copyright 2006 What is the perfect math curriculum? It is the one that best meets your child's learning style, ability level, and educational goals. If you see a program that sounds good go to the Math Curriculum Reviews page for links to review websites... there you can see what other parents have said about the program you are considering. School-at-Home math options -- if you're interested in a standards- aligned school-at-home type of math curriculum, such as Horizons Math by Alpha Omega, LifePacs Math by Alpha Omega, Switched on School House Math by Alpha Omega, A Beka Math, Calvert Math, or ACE Math -- they can be bought separately (without purchasing the complete curriculum package), see each vendor at the School-at-Home section Miquon Math -- (PreK–3) a hands-on approach that uses math rod manipulatives, provides excellent age-appropriate introductions to many advanced concepts not usually covered at this age, Enki Education Math -- (grades 1 and 2 currently available) a story- based math program, uses stories and hands-on activities "bring basic mathematical concepts to life", Enki is a holistic educational apporach Singapore Math -- (K-12) this is the curriculum used by schools in Singapore (the country that consistently ranks the highest in international math rankings), instead of presenting concepts in small bites (incrementally), each section begins with a basic concept then, in the same section, moves on to problems requiring a progressively higher order of mathematical thinking, low to moderate amount of repetition and review, the vendor website provides an online forum for support, which is often handy for parents used to more traditional approaches Saxon Math -- (K-12) the "grandaddy" of homeschool math programs, Saxon provides an approach to math where new concepts are presented sequentially, in small increments, with lots of review and repetition; students who succeed with Saxon usually do well on standardized tests, due to Saxon's focus on computation, this is an algorithm-based spiral approach to content which emphasizes drill, repetition, and daily review. Rod and Staff Math -- (1 - 8) this is a traditional, Bible-based curriculum with a strong emphasis on mastery of skills and providing sufficient drill, it is designed to "..teach one mathematical operation continuously over a several-week period rather than studying one concept today, another tomorrow, and so on and then repeating the cycle...", reasoning problems include "...a spiritual lesson, a Biblical principle, a challenge, or some usefulness in everyday life ..." Math-U-See -- (K-12) a manipulatives-based curriculum that provides video/DVD lessons for the parent to watch, then teach to their students; concepts are presented in what is considered a natural progression (not aligned with public school scope and sequence), uses songs for learning math facts; reportedly helpful for students with math anxiety. manipulatives are used all the way thru the curriculum, not just in the early years Chalk Dust Math -- (K–12) Video/DVD lessons present concepts from corresponding textbook, standards-aligned, emphasizes repetition and review, on-line technical support available, children can work somewhat independently Shiller Math -- (preK - 6) (7 - 9 in development) a Montessori-based multi- sensory curriculum that uses manipulatives, songs, and scripted lessons (parents read from the lesson plans provided), lesson books (which combine student and teacher info on one page) and manipulative kits sold separately, teaches incrementally (in small bites), good for teaching multiple ages, children learn at their own pace (though 15 - 30 minute lessons are recommended), a child who enjoys math and learns quickly may go thru the curriculum quicker than expected Life of Fred (4 - 12+) Offers a complete math education from Fractions through Calculus 2. This series of unusual text books is written by a retired math teacher who was convinced that math didn't have to be dry, boring, and hard to understand. Concepts are taught thru the story of a young boy who learns about math from life experiences. The books are written very conversationally, with a sprinkling of dry humor. Visit the website to read some sample pages. Stern Structural Arithmetic -- (pre-K - 3) a hands-on manipulative- based program for teaching basic math concepts to young children, focuses on visually seeing and feeling the math concepts, and pays close attention to the words used to describe math concepts (to make a smooth transition from verbal explanations to written math, uses blocks and trays to show concepts Right Start Mathematics -- (K - 4) (6th - 8th in development) a hands- on, abacus-based curriculum developed by a Montessori teacher, students are taught to visualize quantities grouped in 5s and 10s, this method emphasizes and understanding of place value... which extends to using a different "math way" of number naming -- "12" is called "ten 2" (or "1-ten 2") and "23" is "2-ten 3", four-digit numbers introduced in first grade, focus is on understanding of math concepts, math card games used for practice, good for visual-spatial learners Touch Math -- (preK - 6th) (also available: Special Ed K - 3, Special Ed K - adult), a sequential approach with deliberately integrated visual cues, developed for children with learning disabilities... but has expanded to include all children, "...students interact with numbers on paper by seeing, saying, hearing and touching numbers...", designed with uncluttered, child- friendly pages, just a few problems on each page, large print, and plentiful work space, teacher's training video and seminars available, recommended for children with learning disabilities, autism, visual impairment, and those who prefer a multi-sensory approach Family Math by Jean Kerr Stanmark, Family Math for Young Children by Jean Kerr Stanmark, and Family Math: The Middle School Years by Karen Mayfield-Ingram -- fun hands-on activities for informal learning of math, the first book is a "homeschool classic" and covers K - 8th. These books are often used by Unschoolers and by those who have young children who are very interested in math. Noble Knights of Knowledge -- an ungraded resource that covers material commonly taught in grades 1 - 4, can also be used with younger kids for enrichment, or as a supplement for older kids who need review to improve their base of understanding, a story-based math program centered around a Medieval castle, uses themed props and story boards to explain math concepts, uses some multi-sensory techniques, looks fun ;-) Mark Twain Media/Carson Dellosa Publishing -- (K -12) a workbook publisher that offers a nice selection of elementary, middle school and high school math workbooks that can be used as a curriculum or a supplement. they also offer several themed math workbooks, such as "Math in History", "Math in Weather", and "Math in Geography" School Zone Series -- (Pre-K - 6) a series of workbooks available at many retail chains and teacher's stores. These workbooks cover all the main topics in each grade level, with very clear explanations and examples. The workbooks are short and kid-friendly. Great to use as a supplement to other programs or as a "spine" in a more "Natural Learning" or "Living Math" approach to math. Key to… Series for Math -- (grades 1-10) major math topics are broken into separate workbooks with one for each topic of study, can be used as curriculum "spine" (you will want to provide other resources for minor math topics not included in the series), for review, or for remediation ALEKS Automated Math Tutor -- (grades 3 - college level) an online math curriculum, self-paced, student's progress is charted by a pie graph, when a student can complete 4 problems on a topic they are allowed to move on, inexpensive monthly subscription, free 48-hour trial. APEX Learning -- (grades 6-12): standards-aligned online math courses, AP math courses, and AP Exam Review, other subjects available Harold Jacobs Textbooks Math: A Human Endeavor (6 - 12): A book about general mathematics written in light conversational tones, appeals to visual-spatial learners, those who need to understand the big picture, the math anxious, and younger children who enjoy learning math concepts. Can be used for general high school mathematics, or as review for parents. Not a good text for students who just want to be shown how to work problems. Read this review for a better understanding of all of the Harold Jacobs textbooks. Free Online Math Curriculum and Lesson Plans MarcoPolo Internet Content for the Classroom - (K - 12) a collection of seven content-specific web sites with free standards-aligned lesson plans, student interactive content, down-loadable worksheets, links to panel-reviewed Web sites and additional resources The Educator's Reference Desk - (K - 12) over 2000 free lesson plans written and submitted by US teachers First Lessons in Arithmetic by Jones Bros. (1878), free online text, from the Don Potter Education Page 19th Century Schoolbooks -- free online full texts of 140 old textbooks The Academy Curriculum Exchange --free online math lesson plans, all subject areas, all grades, from the Columbia Education Center for review, |
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