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Christian Character Matters (our review site of home school, Bible, and fun products for the whole family) |
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| Common Sense Press | Developmental Mathematics | Pearson Learning | Googol | Educational Insights | Games by Bea |
| Master Books | Flash Master | Mathtacular | Singapore Math | Times Tales | 100 Counting Sheep |
Math
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Math seems to be the least favorite subject with our girls, but was my favorite subject in school. Because of this, I am always looking for new products that will help our girls to see the "fun" in math. I have tried funny math readers, computer software, games - but nothing has helped them see the "fun" in math - until now! A special treat in our home is being allowed to watch a movie at bedtime, so I decided to try out Mathtacular during this time. I was fully expecting it not to go over well. To my surprise, Mathtacular has quickly become the favorite movie of my two oldest daughters (7 and 9 years old). These are the words of our 9 year old - "The DVD starts out easy, teaching basic numbers and math, then it keeps getting harder and harder. Mom, it is so funny though - I really really like it". I asked my daughter if she learned anything and she said "it really helped me to understand my division and fractions better - I 'get' it now".
We have always used Horizons and Saxon in our home school, but at times have wanted to try the other hands on curriculum that helps you "see math". Now, we can continue to use our current program while also providing them with a wonderful tool that helps them understand and enjoy math!
The Mathtacular DVD is great for elementary aged students - It is marketed for children in Kindergarten, but for any child ages 5-10 who is just doing math and not really understanding math, this DVD would be very helpful. The DVD is set up very well and you can choose a particular skill to learn about or watch the entire DVD (which is not short!) You get over four hours of math activities and games—plus PDF training tools you can print from your computer at home.
Mathtacular is put out by Sonlight. Sonlight offers free shipping on orders over a certain amount and has an incredible homeschooling forum.
I highly recommend this DVD and we look forward to the release of the entire series.
We have been looking for a product that would help teach math facts. There are many computer programs out there - but young children end up spending the bulk of their time limit trying to find the proper keys on the keyboard. The Flashmaster eliminates that issue. Best of all - this is the one product our children have enjoyed using (my husband too). We ended up having a late night showdown. You can see all of the options (they seem endless) available. It is so simple to use, there was no need to read the instruction manual. We will no longer be doing time tests on paper every morning - the FlashMaster is here!
Times Tales - learn times tables in a day!!
http://www.triggermemorysystem.coml
$14.99-19.99
I really had my doubts that any product could teach our daughter her multiplication facts in less than a week. We received this wonderfully simple product, sat on my bed together and started going through the program. It is very important that the program is used exactly as instructed. Our daughter not only enjoyed the program, she learned all of her math facts (6x6 through 9x9) in just one night! So the real question....would the facts stick in her memory. Yes! The only facts she still has trouble with are the lower facts, which will be simple enough to learn using a clock model for the 5's table and skip counting for the rest. One of the things that makes this program so effective (more so than similar products out there) is the fact that the characters are the same for each story. Your child will get to know The First Grade Class (6), Mr and Mrs Week (7), Mr and Mrs Snowman (8), and the Tree House (9). Flash cards are included with both the characters and the numbers. Also, times tests (one with characters, one with numbers). The times tests are perfect for putting into a plastic page protector and letting your child use a vis-à-vis marker.
We own a similar type product, but this is by far superior (and less expensive!).
The deluxe version has multiplication and division for just five dollars more.
With our first two girls, we switched back and forth between Saxon math (which was boring for the girls) and Horizons Math by AOP (which became very difficult very fast, about a grade level higher than normal after 1st grade). With our third girl, we have started using Singapore math. Not only is Singapore very inexpensive when compared to other programs, it seems to combine the great learning taught in Saxon and Horizons with the "brain" math of Math-U-See (but without the necessary manipulatives). Singapore now starts with an Early Bird Math Pre-K. There are workbooks with teachers instructions and activities at the bottom of the student pages. There are also math readers to go along with various concepts to reinforce concepts learned. Singapore is the math program used in Asian countries that continually out score American students in mathematics. Some have said that Singapore lacks word problems, but they do have their own word problem books that are quite difficult. There are also CD-ROMs for the lower grades that have games for children to learn from.
This wonderful CD uses stories from the Gospels as a basis for lyrics to songs that teach and reinforce skip counting for numbers 2-10.
Backyard Math with Zac
This is an outstanding program to use. Your children will learn to master each subject before going on the the next. There are four steps to mastering each subject. The first is a visual example for the mathematical concept, fact, or skill. Next step, is applying what was learned in the visual model to a numbers only approach. The third stage helps the child increase their speed and there by their confidence. The forth stage completes the mastery of the subject by helping the child see how what they have been learning applies to real life. There are sixteen levels in the series from learning to read and write numbers all the way to ratios probability and more. The student, therefore, is not stuck doing something every day that has already been mastered. Once a book (level) is completed, the child can move on to the next level. It is suggested that levels 2 and 3 be used first by any student who does not know the basic math facts (addition and subtraction). These math books do not include such things as time and money as specific levels - during the forth step of learning (application), money is used as well as other life application math items.
If your child is struggling with the basic math facts, or bored with repetition - this program is sure help.
MCP Mathematics is targeted, skill-based, and research-based. This program builds a strong foundation of math skills to better prepare students for math in the upper elementary grades. MCP Math enhances comprehension through direct step-by-step instruction, and meets current state and NCTM curriculum standards with new and updated content in problem solving, graphing, calculator/technology, pre-algebra and algebra, computational strategies, and communicating about mathematical processes. Many students and teachers find the program clearer, more direct, less cluttered, and more accessible than other math textbook programs.
The Pre-K book is the best I have seen! It is simple to use and interesting to very young children. Many concepts are taught such as shapes, counting, colors, as well as early computing skills. An added bonus is the many cute pictures that are used to teach each concept can be colored by the child.
See 'n' Solve Visual Calculator $19.99
This brightly-colored calculator with its over-sized LCD screen is the perfect child-friendly tool for reinforcing basic math skills. The simple four-function calculator sets up the problem exactly as young students are taught to write it out. As they carry out addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems, the display window shows the entire problem, not just the last number entered. A great way to introduce elementary school children to using calculators for more difficult problem-solving. Requires 2 AA batteries (not included).
This calculator is wonderful for helping students check that they have set a problem up correctly and then, after solving the problem on their paper, checking the answer. It sits at a very nice angle making it easy to see. The buttons worked well and did not get "stuck" as they do in some lower quality calculators.
Grade 1+ Ages 6+
Our older girls (ages 3, 5, and 7) requested these CDs over and over. They are filled with great learning songs that are enjoyable. Unlike other math CDs where the same beat is repeated over and over, these wonderful CDs have math (and other interesting facts) weaved into the story line. Your children will not only learn math, but there are other history and other facts throughout. Very professionally made. The stories are engaging and children are learning while enjoying! These products do not mention anything Biblical but also do not contain anything that we found offensive - so I can recommend these fully as they help make learning math fun and interesting.
Multiplication Vacation - CD
It's the best vacation ever! This award winning album combines MUSIC and a STORY to provide an entertaining approach to Layered Learning. Children will learn about the world, space, history, music and art while practicing math. Includes 18 songs and dialogue, math rules multiplication facts 0-13, skip counting, and googols MORE.
Addition Celebration - CD
It's a surprise birthday for Cozmo. This award winning album combines MUSIC and a STORY to provide an entertaining approach to Layered Learning. Includes 14 songs and dialogue, addition facts 1-10+, patterns, adding rules and an introduction to math vocabulary, symbols, skip counting, money, powers, cake and a pinata!
DVD
The award winning Googol Power Math Series combines great MUSIC, an entertaining STORY and LAYERED LEARNING that provides educational FUN for all ages. Listeners will learn about our world, music, art, history and space while practicing math. This series was designed to spark curiosity about our world and beyond. Includes 18 songs and dialogue, math rules multiplication facts 0-13, skip counting, a lesson from The Learning Lady on early multiplication and googols more. Running Time 92 minutes
THERE'S BIG TROUBLE ON EARTH! Nena and the GoogolKids are having trouble learning their times tables! Send in the Googols, who use their powers to make multiplication an exciting adventure that journeys "from the jungles deep in Africa, to the ice fields of Antarctica" and even into outer space! Follow Azatara, Cozmo, El Mundo the Great Wizard, and their friends Mr I. and Gary Q, as they use music and exploration to learn all about multiplication.
*Award Winning Music: 2005 Winner of the Canadian Independent Music Awards
for Canada's Favorite Children's Group, Children's Music Web Best Educational
Recording and Children's Music Web Best Song for Leonardo Da Vinci.
recommended ages PreK- High school
$7.95 for home set without calling cards (8.45 per pack of calling cards)
Children love playing games, and playing math games is a great way to help your child think in terms of math. Games by Bea has a great bingo like math game called VALUE. I love that this product, unlike many other flash cards, helps a child to understand about math, rather than just memorize a bunch of facts. Many of the card sets have the child find the missing add-ins which really helps them think about how math works.
I would suggest getting a few sets of the cards (very reasonably priced at 8.45 for each pack) some that you feel will be easy for your child and some that will be a little more of a challenge. If you start out with the challenging problems, your child may not want to continue. We sat down with our 4 and 6 year old children and played the set "numbers before, between, and after". They loved it! I added in a couple of cards from the Add and subtract with missing addend, and they enjoyed having a few challenging problems mixed in.
The calling cards and the playing cards come in sturdy plastic envelopes to make them last a long time. They are made of sturdy card stock, displaying various math problems in 5 vibrant colors. Sets include: Dots to show a set, Numbers, Number Names (English), Number Names (Spanish), Numbers before, between and after, Add and Subtract 11-19, Add and Subtract 0-10 Horizontal, Add and Subtract 0-10 Vertical, Add and Subtract with Missing Addend 0-10 vertical, Multiplication 2s and 5s, Multiplication 3s and 4s, Division 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s, Division 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s, and 10s, Multiplication 6s and 7s, Multiplication 8s, 9s, and 10s, and Fractions.
Champions of Mathematics
$5.99
by John Hudson Tiner
This 71 page soft cover book contains short biographies of the world's most gifted thinkers to inspire the leaders of tomorrow. Very interesting for both children and adults!
Noah's Ark Numbers
$3.50
This is one in a set of six small workbooks. Perfect for those toddlers that are eager to participate during "school" time. Coloring book style with activities. Recommended for pre-k children.
Sir Cumference