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We have used several great math programs. I have two main math curriculums going at one time per child which means we have gone through a lot of math. \u00a0Each child has a main or spine curriculum and then either a “Fun” math or a review math curriculum going on the side. In elementary, I never scheduled for math with both curriculum to be over 45-60 minutes. We also do math all year long with very little break so we do might do a different math for the summer. As I have twins who had a tendency to compare each other, there were also years that they did different math just to stop the comparisons. In other words, we have done a myriad of different maths but here are my favorites.<\/p>\n
K and 1st – I actually loved the math in My Father’s World K<\/a>\u00a0and 1st as it is practical and hands on. \u00a0With Connor, I did traditional math far too early. \u00a0The twins ended up in the same place as Connor with a much better attitude and view of math than Connor did. \u00a0With the twins, we did MFW k and 1st math which is designed to go directly into Singapore 2a, and they memorized skip counting facts through 18, conquered basic addition and subtraction and learned basic time telling, patterns, calendar’s and had a wonderful time doing it. \u00a0The games and playing both grocery store and the “Sunshine Cafe” were great practice and great fun. \u00a0All three of mine would play these for hours using the directions in the TM and made wonderful progress in math. \u00a0I did put numbers amounts on all of Caileigh’s food in both her play grocery store and play kitchen and got them play money to pay. \u00a0I would advise everyone to skip formal curriculum and just play games and make math practical in those younger years. \u00a0I have done it both ways, and informal worked so much better.<\/p>\n Singapore Math US Edition<\/a>\u00a0– I absolutely love Singapore Math and have had success with all three of mine who were very different learners. For elementary, this was our spine, our main math. \u00a0Singapore really teaches kids to think mathematically and teaches several different ways to accomplish a problem. \u00a0It was really funny how the twins always chose a different way to do the same math problem. Connor really loved how it gave him the freedom to think of why the math worked the way it did verses just telling him the step by step how to. \u00a0I recommend starting with 1b in 2nd grade even if they test in higher as it gives them confidence and 1b introduces multiplication. Connor tested into Singapore later in Elementary and I started him half a book earlier than he tested into which worked well. Connor went up by 10 point in critical thinking the year we changed to Singapore.<\/p>\n A couple things about Singapore-<\/p>\n 1. Get the US Edition – \u00a0it is NOT common core, it is the version Singapore itself uses with only the money changed. ( Seriously, Common Core wishes it were Singapore. Singapore Math has been around far longer than Common Core, so unless you specifically buy the CC version, and why would you, let’s strop this confusion here. )<\/p>\n 2. You might need the Home Instructor’s Guide<\/a>\u00a0just to help you teach it. \u00a0I found the HIG necessary for 4a and above.<\/p>\n 3. Remember the numbers are levels, not grades. \u00a0You do at least two levels a year but it maybe 1b\/2a in a year or 2a\/2b in a year depending on where the child is at. \u00a0This allows you to further fit the curriculum to your child’s needs.<\/p>\n Life of Fred<\/a>\u00a0– My kids love LOF math. \u00a0I used it as our “fun” math until middle school where it became a main math for the boys. I personally don’t find that the elementary curriculum has enough review and practice for elementary but for extra math, it was perfect. \u00a0It engaged all three of mine. Connor for the way it presented math, Caileigh for the story and Collin for the silliness.<\/p>\n Beast Academy<\/a>– I think this could be either a main spine or fun math. \u00a0This is a rigorous curriculum designed for high level math thinkers but the fact that all the characters are monsters and the books are really colorful made it fun. \u00a0Caileigh did some as review as loved it. \u00a0My kids were older before they finished the series but it would have been something I used on a regular basis.<\/p>\n Abeka Speed Drills<\/a>\u00a0– Surprised to see this here, aren’t you? Sometimes, you just need your kids to drill in math. \u00a0For some kids, you also need a lot of review. \u00a0We used these throughout Elementary as a a daily speed drill and review. \u00a0Each day, they put on a timer and did the 6 or so problems of approximately whatever math grade year they were in. \u00a0It was easy for me to just give them and it was something they could do independently. \u00a0There were a few times that I got an Abeka math workbook to help cement some topics. \u00a0Caileigh needed this around 5th grade. \u00a0Abeka was colorful enough for her and very straightforward and had review. \u00a0It wasn’t her spine but it did help cement some of the ideas in Singapore for her during the summer.<\/p>\n Mathtacular by Sonlight<\/a>\u00a0– My kids loved these somewhat silly math videos\/curriculum. \u00a0These were a life saver when I was sick or when they were sick and we couldn’t get to math. \u00a0My kids were entertained and learned or reviewed math. \u00a0They were also great for when the Grandparents were watching them during the school year. \u00a0These would also be a fun summer math to keep the kids learning and moving forward without a lot of hands on by Mom. \u00a0I do not think they are enough for a full curriculum but they are a great stand in. \u00a0They do have workbooks and the kids work through the math with the video.<\/p>\n More Curriculum Reviews Here –<\/p>\n Curriculum I Recommend \u2013 All in One Packages Elementary<\/a><\/p>\n