It has to do with our math curriculum. When I saw it in several homeschool catalogs several years ago, I thought Miquon Math sounded great. When I found the entire set (Grades 1-3 books and Lab Annotations for the teacher) at a yard sale, I snatched them up. For kindergarten, I used Singapore Math, which I really liked. However, being on a tight budget, I was determined to use the much less-colorful but highly-recommended Miquon Math for 1st-3rd grades (since I already had it). We made it through the first 2 years and stayed on schedule. I have things I appreciate about the program, and I have some things I don't like about it. For instance, even the teacher manual doesn't explain what to do on certain pages. It's advanced math, but it leaves very little room for reinforcement of material already learned. While I understand the reasoning behind the program--why they present it the way they do--I think it's best for students who really excel at math.
So here I am, perfectionist and schedule person, finding myself not knowing how to proceed, and it's the middle of the school year. My son is really struggling. Obviously I need to slow down and work with him on concepts until he understands them instead of pressing on with the next concept. My schedule is all messed up now, but if I keep going like this I'm going to do more harm than good as far as my son's math is concerned.
Problem is that I'm in England. I'm not coming home to America until summer 2010. England has a HUGE shortage of homeschool supply companies (I've not really found any, in fact). I normally buy all my stuff when I'm in America and bring it in our suitcases. So, we're in Week 11 of school (we start later here), and I'm already wanting to ditch this program. It's just not working for Isaac. I could possibly order something off Amazon UK (sometimes they get in stuff from America), but I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions? Have you ever had to scrap your curriculum partway through the school year? I need a low-cost Math Curriculum that covers what a 3rd-grader should know and has easy-to-understand explanations. What's your favorite??? Or should I stick it out with Miquon but slow it down and supplement it heavily with Math Games and activities? Does anyone have good 3rd-grade-level math games or activities that you recommend??? I don't want something that will bore him. I want him to enjoy Math and still learn what he needs to learn.
Hoping someone reads this and can help me out!
Saxon Math! That's what we started out w/ for Shiloh and I know that many private schools in the area use it. Almost all homeschool Moms that I know in GA use Saxon, too. The only thing is that starts you from the beginning of the school year in August. We adjusted it easily, though. Do you know the website www.homeschoolreviews.com? That's where I went for just about everything homeschool. I hope it helps. Let me know if you need me to send you something.
ReplyDeleteI am familiar with Saxon, as that's what my sister's school (public) uses, and I used to sub there. I might look into that for next year. Not sure what to do at the moment. I think I might do math games and stuff with him and then spend maybe 20 minutes a day just working through the rest of Miquon, no matter how much we get done in 20 min. I'll look at that website too, thanks!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I cannot comment on math curriculum, but wanted to thank you in wanting to participate in postcard exchange. Your email is not in profile, so if you can email me your address, we'll send you the card soon :)
ReplyDeleteI love Math U See. We have been using that the last 4 years. My son watches the vidoe of the lesson. If he still needs help I am right there. However, he usually understands from the video lesson. He then only works the pages he needs to to master the skill. I definitely do not require him to complete every page. It is hands on, usses manipulatives and explains the why behind the process of a particular math problem.
ReplyDeleteI hope this helps.
Kathy P
West Palm Beach, FL
Mother to 3 boys: 12, 5, and 3
We used Everyday Math in the school where I taught. I love this curriculum but don't know if it affordable for homeschoolers. It is very hands-on using lots of games and manipulatives. Having said that, I don't believe that you actually need a curriculum for 3rd grade. In third grade (the grade I taught), they learn about different kinds of triangles and geometric shapes (there's a great picture book called the Greedy Triangle that is great for this) how to add three digit numbers, how to subtract three digits, division, multiplication, problem solving....All these things are things you can do through games and free worksheets found online. There is a book called Boxcars and One Eyed Jacks that is full of games for math using cards and dice, and another book called Family Math that I highly recommend. Both will last you many years as they have suggestions for adaptations and extensions. Purchasing both of these and a few manipulatives would be much less costly than a curriculum.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, I am also doing a postcard exchange and my daughter and I are trying to get at least one card from all the continents. Would you be interested in exchanging a card from England with a card from Costa Rica?
http://theadventuresofbear.blogspot.com
Sorry to keep commenting-I am really enjoying your blog. There are three Christian home educating companies here that I know about-Ichthus Resources, Conquest books and Rainbow books. There are also people who sell Rod and Staff and Math-u-see. Can get details if you want.
ReplyDeleteRainbow books are at http://www.rainbowbooks.co.uk/shop/
ReplyDeleteConquest books are at http://www.conquestbooks.co.uk/. I often order from them.
Math-U-see can be brought from Deborah Jenkins
Deborah Jenkins
07788-888-032
uk@mathusee.com
Rod and Staff can be brought from Richard Inman at richardinman.sjc@gmail.com
There is a Christian home educators yahoo group where second hand curriculum is often advertised. It also has loads of other discussion about home education here.
HTH
Sarah