We have math instruction in a rotation which allows one-on-one time, independent computer practice and tinkering with the little siblings.
During Table Time we practice our math drills. Math Fact Drill uses the linked online resource for free math drill exercises. I print them off, put in plastic sheet protectors and used with white board markers. Sometimes siblings correct each others. I am glad I mastered mine as a child.
We add problem solving and number sense activities.
A multi-step real life problem solving challenge.
Authentic to child's interest
Number sense in which we describe an object using math such as it's shape, sides, edges, weight, length, monetary worth, volume, and any other way we can use math to describe the object.
Our lessons follow the teaching instructions of a Charlotte Mason Education. The habits that math can develop are attention, clear thinking, careful execution, imagining, accuracy, insight, neatness, and effort.
We use Math Lessons for a Living Education. The link is a review that show the books and progression of learning answering the question is it enough? The books are not full of busy work, but precise and concise. We like the length of daily lessons, the spiral reviews, the layout and the projects. They have the child make meaningful flashcards and posters. Oral explanation of the mental process or teaching back the concepts reinforce mastery. They have online assessments to determine which book is best suited for the children. This is a Christian based curriculum.
Saxon math is an option I feel aligns with Charlotte Mason principles of mental math, short lessons and mastery. It has three components: oral review, short lesson and spiral written review. I find it can be expensive to order the complete program. I found used textbooks work for us; we use grid notebooks for our workbook.
I also am using the Charlotte Mason Elementary Arithmetic Series by Richele R. Baburina. Four books are published.
The overall instruction is simple.
First, is the introduction of concepts with household manipulatives. We use seashells, buttons, pencils and lots of coins. There is a lot of practice with money.
Next, comes practice the concepts with story problems and explaining why the child got the answer they did (the habit of using labels is emphasized). I like all the cultural diversity with the names and the references to literary characters.
Then, problems are with pure number such as 54 + 5 =59. All the written work is done in a simple grid notebook.
We end with oral review. Oral review for younger children looks like:
10 + 3 = 13
2 groups of 10 = 20
For older children it would look more like:
24 divided 6 times 2 - 8 = 0
6 x 9 -10 + 6 = 50
Some distinct features of the Charlotte Mason Math Method is the practice of no erasures. Instead, you recognize the error and begin a new similar problem. I tried this with some sense of experimentation to see if I felt it held value for me. I noticed that accuracy and attention was actually increasing with the sense of one try. Another aspect I like was using grid paper for the writing of problems. I have found that the grid reinforces place value and neatness. The lessons are flexible for the learning needs of the child, you can stay with a concept as long as you feel is needed for mastery.
List of Math Skills
Basic Arithmetic: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
Fractions, Decimals, Money
Measurement: perimeter, area, units, volume
Order of Operations, Averages
Telling Time
Factors: Greatest and Least Common Multiples
Ratios, Percentages, Simple Interest
Geometry: solids, lengths, lines, rays, segments
Dividing shapes into fractions
Scale drawings, maps directions 16 point compass
Circles, radius and diameter
Protractor, bisecting angles
Parallel lines, Perpendicular lines
Angles: alternate, exterior, interior
Triangles: 45, 45, 90 and 30, 60, 90
Graphs: flips, slides, rotation, coordinates
Negative numbers
If interested in the history of math check this book out:
Number Stories of Long Ago by D.E. Smith.
Independent Practice
While I am working one-on-one a child on their math lesson, another child is independently working with a reinforcing math course from Khan Academy. It is a highly motivational website set up with points to earn to unlock new creature icons. Khan Academy is free and has no ads. I like the weekly report I get emailed.
The computer programming course is made with Pixar and has high connection to my children and the movies they have seen. They walk the children through the creative progress, career insights and the skills are practiced with modeling, and changing the code. Khan academy also gives my children exposure to computerized quizzes and testing.
Tinkering
While I teach, someone works on the computer, the other children have time to play with math with the younger siblings. I have a math box that has a variety of options.
Geo boards with colorful rubber bands
Puzzles
Brain teasers
Dot-to-Dot coloring
Maze books
Money Jar
Calculators
Dice
Plus Plus
Tinkertoys
Marble Works
Play-sticks
Connect-its
Abacus
Rulers, measuring tape, compass, protractor
Dominoes, and dominos shaped tiles
Our manipulative collection of buttons and seashells
Connectable cubes
Shape blocks, and magnetic blocks
Timers
Colored sticks of a variety of lengths
Block collection
Legos
Board games (Candy Land, Shoots and Ladders)
Card games (Sleeping Queens, Uno, Skip-Bo, Hiss, Memory Match, Dragon Wood)
The younger mathematical skills that are introduced through play include:
Estimation
Sequencing
Fair Share
Spatial awareness
Sorting
Opposites
Time
Money
Comparison
Order
One-to-one correspondence
Counting
Sequence
Color
Shape
Measurement
More, Less
Part and Whole
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