Virtual Curriculum Fair {Discovering Patterns: Mathematics, Logic, and Science}
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In our homeschool we haven’t made way to the heavier logics and “math-y” sciences yet. My oldest is in Kindergarten, working on a first grade level, so that is as far into the math as we have made it.
That being said, here are my homeschool thoughts, and our methods, regarding math.
Logic in the Early Grades
Logic is can be an abstract topic as students get older and reach a different level in their cognitive development. However, young children do not yet think abstractly- their minds are usually at a very concrete level, and this is where we begin, our foundation, for learning.
Logic for a young child may look like:
- mazes
- developmental appropriate puzzles
- using a puzzle/maze toy like a Perplexus or Perplexus Jr.
- shape sorting
- color matching
- playing memory
- matching tools to their hardware, balls to their equipment, holidays to their “symbols,” seasons to their scenes, etc.
- ABC sudoku
- analogies (we like to start our morning with these, sometimes)
- crossword puzzles
Most “toys” labeled STEM are logic and math, educational, and great for the ages they are labeled. But you do need to be careful; companies have caught on that parents and grandparents want to buy “STEM” toys and will label just about anything as such.
Logic can be fun-if you know how your child learns best, you can use that to make logic more interesting. For instance, using sports, a construction theme, dolls, books, legos, etc.
You don’t need fancy toys or curriculum to get your child’s brain thinking logically!
Our Math Curriculum
I couldn’t very well write a post about math without mentioning our math curriculum.
We use Saxon Math. Right now my daughter is doing Math 1, we have done the K book but in my honest opinion, first grade is more like K and K is unnecessary with this curriculum. There are so many great curricula out there, and I am not sure we will use Saxon for ever- I don’t know what their future levels look like (middle-high school). There are video and internet based curricula, self teaching, etc. I haven’t explored those thus far.
In the future, when I am schooling 4 children, I can definitely see us switching to a more computer or self-teaching curriculum. One goal of homeschool is becoming an independent students, after all.
But for now, the teacher in me is satisfied with what we are doing.
Saxon uses lots of great hands on learning tools/manipulatives (unifix cubes, patterning blocks, base ten blocks, judy clock, real money, etc) that make it more fun. This means my 4 year old can tag along with my 6 year old’s math, while the 2 year old plays with extra manipulatives at the table!
Montessori Math in our Home
I am a Montessori and Waldorf education lover at heart; my girlfriends and I (each with degrees in education) dream(ed) of opening our own Montessori school one day. But I don’t use Montessori or Waldorf 100% in our home.
I do implement in Waldorf style math in our home through using our great outdoors as manipulatives- rocks, leaves, sticks, water, etc- all have been used to study number sense, density, texture, & cause and effect.
We use cusinaire rods, counting beads, bears, geometric solids, & wooden blocks for a Montessori-style math lesson. This is basically letting them explore and learn, logically, without a lot of direction from me. I may prompt with questions but they are in charge of the lesson, using the materials given. As they get older and learn about things like vector projection and angles, my job as a teaching mom will become harder. Luckily there are lots of amazing maths resources and websites online!
Please visit my fellow homeschool bloggers who are talking about Discovering Patterns: Math and the Mathematical Sciences this week:
Finding Our Math Equilibrium: Our Plan for 11th, 7th, 5th, and 2nd Grades + Free Printables! by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds
Math Resources and Programs for All Ages by Amanda H @ Hopkins Homeschool
Math (doesn’t) Stink! by Jennifer King @A Peace of Mind
When Math is NOT Your Thing by Michele@Family, Faith and Fridays
Math U See and All the Supplements by Laura H @ Four Little Penguins
Discovering Patterns in Our World: STEM Studies by Laura @ Day by Day in Our World
Junior High Math by Jennifer @ A Glimpse of Our Life
Science & Math for Struggling Learners by Yvie @ Gypsy Road
Maths: a subject in progress by Sarah @ Delivering Grace
Taking Mathematics out of the Textbook by Dana Hanley @ Roscommon Acre
Maths for a Very Maths-y Boy by Lizzy @ Peaches At Home
Practical Math by Annette @ A Net in Time
One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling by Kim @ Good Sweet Love
Math, How I Loathe Thee by Shecki @ Greatly Blessed
Math and Logic in Early Elementary and Preschool {virtual curriculum fair 2017} by Meghan W @ Quiet In The Chaos
Low Stress High School Science and Math by Christy @ Unexpected Homeschool
Are these toys or manipulatives? This is math? by HillaryM @ Walking Fruitfully
When You Don’t Have a Math Plan by Brittney @ Mom’s Heart
Clear Horizons by Lori H @ At Home: where life happens
A Few Thoughts on Teacher Math by Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset
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I haven’t used Saxon, but we still enjoy manipulatives. They are great for visual and kinesthetic learners, and yes . . . are great to help keep the little ones busy during math!
Boy do I wish I could figure out how to use manipulatives for the higher math, as well. That is definitely how my girls learn best!
If you enjoy exploratory math and manipulatives, you might like Miquon for the early grades. It takes a very different approach from Saxon.
After 18 years of homeschooling four kids, I still recommend Saxon for the lower grades! The repetition is great and the manips hold their attention. We switch over to Teaching Textbooks about 4th or 5th grade.
That’s awesome! Sounds like a great plan.
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