I realize I haven’t talked about our math progress recently- that doesn’t mean we haven’t been having fun with our programs. In fact I think my lack of talking about it speaks volumes for the comfort and confidence I have finally found in our curricula choices. I used to sweat and worry so much about math. Now we just do it. We’re working through Singapore and Miquon and I find the two programs to be wonderfully complimentary to one another. Singapore gives me confidence as a teacher that we are covering the things in a way that will make the most sense to my child and promote future ease with numbers. I have continued with Miquon on Fridays as well because it’s just such a FUN and unique approach. The one aspect that greatly appeals the most to me about Miquon is the self-exploration and discovery brought about by the use of the cusienaire rods. Mira seems to derive the most ah-ha! moments with Miquon.
But no matter what approach, curriculum, or workbook you use one tool that will enhance your mathematical studies is living math books. Reading and enjoying math literature with your child will help them see mathematical concepts in use in daily life. I posted about one of our first living math books awhile back (you can see it here). Since then we have enjoyed many quality math literature books; but just this week we found one that incorporated ducks. My girls LOVED it, and although I would like to say they loved it because of its simplistic approach to multiplication, they really just liked the ducks. Ducks are pretty big here. Multiplication and regrouping were a hidden benefit.
Before reading the book for the first time I had the girls pull out 12 baby ducks and one big mama duck.
While reading aloud, the girls would take turns regrouping the ducks into numbered rows.
My girls loved playing along as I read and we did this same game repeatedly throughout the day. In fact, Mira just came in and saw the pictures on this blog post and asked if we can do it now. So that’s what I’m off to do. Ta-ta for now.
I’m still trying to figure out what curriculums we will be using and I love reading about what is working for your girls. This book looks adorable and I’m sure using the rubber ducks along with it made it even better.
Jody,
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about curricula. I’ve definitely gotten my feet wet in a wide pool of resources and love helping people sort through them all. I’m a bit of a curriculum addict….
We have a book called A Dozen Ducklings Lost and Found, and I think my boys would love this hands-on approach to reading through it!
It’s great what an added manipulative or two (or dozen) can do for a book!
I love the idea of using living books to introduce math concepts. I think you will enjoy the Sir Cumference books when your girls are old. We use Math U See, but I always read from the Math books by Brian Knapp when we get to a new concept.
This is encouraging! We’re just dipping our toes into Singapore and Miquon, plus a few RightStart activities. I’ve been trying to figure out how to schedule it all in! I’m hoping to do a little bit of play with manipulatives every day.