Arithmetic - Grades K-6th |
Math - 7th Grade & up |
Waiting until a child has matured and is intellectually ready for formal instruction allows us to teach the same information in far less time and with much less effort. Consequently, students don't learn to hate or fear math and their natural desire to learn is not extinguished. We are not advocating waiting passively, but rather working with the grain of the developmental ability of students and preparing them through conversation and activity. Worksheets and written math problems have proven to be counter-productive when the goal is active learners, bright students, and happy kids.
Math class for K-6th graders at co-op consists of activities, games, drills, and songs. Parents provide individualized math instruction, using the curriculum of choice, at home throughout the week.
Our Recommendations for K-2nd:
Our Recommendations for K-2nd:
It is pertinent that you READ the SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS AND PARENTS at the start of this text. Chapter 1 is perfect for kindergarten, or as the author suggests, for remediation and/or assessment with first grade students. Chapter 2 is for the first year of school for students 6 years or older. Chapter 3 is ideal for second grade.
|
Paul Ziegler of Systematic Mathematics advocates not starting formal math education before 3rd grade. He states, "Children are simply not ready for formal math instruction before that age. First and second grade math textbooks did not exist before the 1960's."
|
Once starting math in 3rd grade, Ziegler recommends Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics, originally published in the 1920's by American Book Company. (Practical Arithmetics Books 1 & 2 - order below)
Learn Math Fast - 7 levels, 1st to 12th grade
Math on the Level - only available as complete curriculum. Math Mammoth - available in various formats and a variety of packages (see below) Saxon Math - workbooks for grades 1-3 - Primary Placement Test - Saxon Math Store |
Free video lessons available online
|
Our Recommendations for 3rd-6th:
Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics
These books were written in 1934. Concepts are taught thoroughly and plenty of practice is provided. These books are reproduced from the original, and come hard bound in 2-year volumes of about 500 pages each. The First Book covers 3rd and 4th grades. (Arithmetic was not taught before 3rd grade until the 1960s.) The Second Book covers 5th and 6th grades. Review lessons and tests are included in the text. A promotion test is provided at the end of each section. Answers are in the back of the book.
See our 7th Grade & Up section for the Third Book.
See our 7th Grade & Up section for the Third Book.
To assist in student placement, we provide the promotion tests from each level of Practical Arithmetics here.
Grades 3 and 4:
Learn Math Fast, Level 1 |
Grades 5 and 6:
Learn Math Fast, Level 2 |
Khan Academy - Arithmetic
Free video lessons online |
|