I'm currently doing hands-on math with my ds for kindergarten using a PK/K early learning curriculum (Bright Beginnings), but it is mainly review for him at this point. So, I'm looking for suggestions for the next step. I have Everyday Mathematics (Chicago Math) which I've looked over briefly. It looks good and has many hands-on activities to do. But I'd appreciate any suggestions for a good K math curriculum (or even 1st grade-level.) BTW, I'm also intrigued by the concept of verbal math (teaches students to do math in their heads) but I'm wondering if it would work for a kindergartner or is it best with kids who are a little older? Thanks!!!!!
Look at McRuffy. I really like this program and my son loves it. It is very hands on. Now look over the samples before buying so you don't end up getting a level that is too high or low. We skipped the K because my son was past all that material.
We stopped all math curriculum this year and are just doing fact mastery of all 4 operations up to 12. I put a flash card system in place which my dd's find to be fun. I give them Math Mammoth or 2 Plus 2 is Not Five pages to do as well, one page a day and then the flash card system. They use manipulatives we have on hand for their math pages if/when needed. Once they have all their facts mastered I'll either have them start Saxon 54 or back up with MUS. MUS Primer might be a nice one for you to look into. My dc enjoyed that when we did it.
We used Bob Jones on the K level. My kids both loved it. It was very colorful and focused on a farm theme. There were 3 characters and the manipulatives were animals/bugs you'd find on a farm. It had songs and games to help reinforce stuff. It was very good for my visual/spatial learner daughter; but it proved too slow for my mathematically advanced son, so we moved to Saxon and then Singapore for him.
We loved MUS for K! The boys blew through the books so fast, because they loved it and they loved the manipulatives and the games to play!
Another vote for McRuffy here. Also, we have the complete set of Funtastic Frogs.. all the books, all the different frogs, the logs, and the balance... my kids LOVE them... it did end up costing me quite a bit to get all of it, and also a lot of time searching... but when I found they loved it then I wanted to have all of it to offer them. We are also into living math... there are some FABULOUS books out there, Family Math for Young Children is great, we love the "candy math" books like M&Ms and Hersheys, plus there is a site www.livingmath.com I think it is that has a book list 5 miles long... we are adding as much from that list as we can afford!
Not sure if this will help but my kids do really well with time4learning. It works great for visual learners.
We are really enjoying MEP - it teaches the kids so many ways to think about math. My 5 year old is doing Year 1 and enjoys it...
We have not started yet, but I got Horizon's K Math this year for my youngest. I've never used formal math for this age, but my youngest is a math kid and can't wait to have her own books. I've looked through it, and it looks so fun! Starting very soon....yay!!!!
