Review: Homeschooling for the rest of us
January 16, 2010 by Karin
Sonya Haskins, author of The Homeschoolers book of lists, has written a new book that will show you how your one-of-a-kind family can make homeschooling and real life work.
Homeschooling for the rest of us (Bethany House, 2010) is an easy and informative read for new homeschoolers. Exactly the type of book anyone seriously considering homeschooling for the first time should read. Offering no “right” or “wrong” way, Sonya takes the reader on a contemplative journey through the major facets and concerns with homeschooling. Sonya shatters the cultural myths surrounding homeschooling, sharing practical wisdom and insight on homeschooling and parenting along the way without offering a one-size-fits-all solution.
The flexible strategies for dealing with common homeschooling concerns or problems are both useful and refreshing. This is a great book for anyone dipping a toe into the homeschooling pond cautiously.
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
Review: The Big Book of Animal Devotions
Do you have an animal lover (or two or three) in your midst? Why not use your child’s love of animals to teach them to love and understand the Lord more deeply? The Big Book of Animal Devotions has 250 daily readings about God’s amazing creation developed right from God’s own imagination. No mattter where, when or how, animals can be great teachers on everything from caring for ourselves and our families, to surviving even the worst conditions.
When Jesus Christ taught, He used fish, lilies, sparrows, and foxes to help us remember. When Paul wrote about anger he reminded us of the sun. Ezekiel called the Pharaoh a bubbling crocodile. In this book we use the Bible and nature to teach about God, ourselves, our feelings, and our friends.
William L. Coleman
The Big Book of Animals Devotions
This gentle devotional combines biblical truth and scripture with fun, factual and fascinating facts about God’s awesome creation. If you or your children are ready for fresh new devotional for children that doesn’t water down the lesson or influence of God, this should be your next purchase.
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
Guess Who is Turning TWO!
January 7, 2010 by admin
Heart of the Matter is turning TWO!
What a fun adventure we’ve been through!
From baby to toddler, we started to crawl.
We took our first steps in front of you all.
Blessed by our writers and readers, it’s true.
Let’s celebrate with some gifts from us to YOU!
To enter the giveaways, please leave a comment below, telling us something about yourself or your family. We love getting to know our readers! If you are viewing this on Facebook, or any other website other than heartofthematteronline.com, please click here to be taken directly to the post to leave your comment. The goodies are numbered so be sure to include their numbers in your comment so we’ll know which prizes you are registering for.
The giveaways will close Friday, January 15th at 10:00pm EST. The winners will be notified via email by Monday the 18th and will have until Thursday the 21st to confirm with a mailing address.
$15 Starbucks giftcards (two available)
Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 16,635 stores in 49 countries! Starbucks sells drip brewed coffee, espresso-based hot drinks, other hot and cold drinks, snacks, and items such as mugs and coffee beans. Through the Starbucks Entertainment division, the company also markets books, music, and film. Your gift card may be used for an online purchase or in local store. Goodie #1
$50 Target giftcard
Win a $50 gift card to Target, everyone’s favorite retailer! Shop one of more than 1500 local Target stores or online at Target.com for Furniture, Electronics, Toys, Men’s and Women’s Clothing, Gifts, Appliances, Video Games, Bedding and Shoes. Expect More. Pay less. Goodie #2
Amazon.com Gift Card
Win a $25 Amazon gift card! Amazon.com is America’s largest online retailer. With your Amazon gift card, you can purchase movies, shows and documentaries on DVD, music CDs and MP3s, computer software, video games, electronics, apparel, furniture, food, toys, and certainly don’t forget the amazing selection of thousands upon thousands of BOOKS. You choose your own book(s) for your child or yourself. Goodie #3
Tickets to A Woman Inspired: An Efficient and Creative Life conference (5 available)
A conference you can attend in your jammies!! You don’t want to miss such speakers as Laura, of OrgJunkie; Sandy Coughlin, of Reluctant Entertainer; Meredith, of Like Merchant Ships; Rhoda, of Southern Hospitality; Jennifer Schmidt, of Beauty and Bedlam; Karin Katherine of Mommy Matters; Erin Chase of $5 Dinners.com and many more!!
You’ll learn how to:
- develop your God given talents and gifts
- push past creative blocks
- further your education in the area of your choice (at no cost)
- be more productive
- be more focused
- let your light shine! Goodie #4
Life Cycles Collection by David M. Schwartz
The Magic of Growth & Change is featured in this stunning 12-book science series for beginning readers. (Creative Teaching Press)
Titles as follows: Monarch Butterfly, Ladybug, Jumping Spider, Green Snake, Bean, Sunflower, Wood Frog, Chicken, Horse, Maple Tree, Green Snake, Fighting Fish. Goodie #5
First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise
Parents can assure their child’s success in language arts with this simple-to-use, scripted guide. First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind uses picture study and other classical techniques to develop the child’s language study in those first two all-important years of school. Each lesson leads the parent, step-by-step, through the simple oral and written projects that build reading, writing, spelling, storytelling, and comprehension skills. Use this book to supplement school learning, or as the center of a home-school language arts course. Goodie #6
Real Moms…Real Jesus: Meet the Friend Who Understands by Jill Savage
What does Jesus know about the peanut-butter-and-jelly life of a mom? Plenty! Jill Savage, founder and director of Hearts at Home, introduces the real Jesus to real moms. In chapters that examine key behaviors and decisions Jesus made during His life on earth, Jill brings those lessons right down to the laundry-filled, sticky-fingered days every mother knows.
Between the chapters are interactive vignettes that turn the concept of the book back around. If the meat of the content is looking at Jesus’ life on earth and understanding how to apply that in our everyday lives, these perspective vignettes are brief, refreshing glimpses starting with our own messy, busy lives. Jill continually reminds the reader that Jesus is not an unattainable deity, but a Friend who understands. Goodie #7
Handwriting Without Tears: Letters and Numbers for Me
Letters and Numbers for Me is for kindergarten students or older students working at that level.
Students learn to write capital letters, lowercase letters, numbers, words and simple sentences.
Letters are taught in a developmentally appropriate teaching order.
Learning capitals and numbers is reversal free using the slate. Goodie #8
Biographies that Build Character by Kathy Rogers
This book contains short biographical sketches of Jackie Robinson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Booker T. Washington, Albert Schweitzer, Abigail Adams, Robert E. Lee, Mohandas Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Sitting Bull, George Washington John Muir, Martin Luther King, Jr., Sacagawea, Abraham Lincoln, Cesar Chavez, Frederick Douglass, Dorothea Dix, and Mother Teresa. These are organized by character trait that is stressed in each story. There are four activities suggested at the beginning of the book that could be used with any story. Then, with each story is a teacher’s guide, the story itself, and a reproducible written activity. Goodie #9
Building Christian Character by Robin Wolfe
This book contains 13 units, each unit focusing on a different value. Children will learn about honoring God, obeying rules, telling the truth, and other values that help to build Christian character. Each unit contains a teacher’s resource page that supplies ideas for games, crafts, object lessons, and simple songs. Complete, simple instructions for each activity, as well as illustrations, make teaching easy. A Bible story is provided to teach each value lesson. Questions at the end of the story will provide an opportunity for the children to think about what the story means and how to apply it. Goodie #10
Economics: Concepts and Applications Student Text and Teacher Guide by Larry D. Hodge
This book covers the basic concepts of all parts of the economy ranging from personal, individual microeconomic issues to large-scale, global macroeconomic issues. It is divided into 7 units (18 chapters in total) and covers the following topics: introduction to economics; capitalism, communism, and socialism; America and free enterprise; money, banking, and investment; government and the economy, measuring economic performance, and trade. Although comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking activities are provided in the worktext, the answers are only available in the teacher’s guide. The teacher’s guide also includes additional skill builder lessons covering skills like reading a stock market report and comparing costs using the consumer price index. Unit reviews and a test are included in the teacher’s guide. Goodie #11
Mommy Grace: Erasing Your Mommy Guilt by Dr. Sheila Shuller Coleman
Remember when you were younger and did not have children yet? Do you remember when you had it ‘all figured out’…marriage, finances, motherhood? Then reality set in and all that was believed to be figured out became question marks. Every step you took as a mother was tested and challenged and then it dawned on you: no one has the answers and the child in all of the child-rearing help books did not actually exist. Mommy Grace is about that process and how as mothers we carry the guilt that comes from daily parenting and we make mistakes. We can be ‘redeemed, forgiven and loved‘ daily through Jesus Christ. Goodie #12
Transforming the Difficult Child: The Nurtured Heart Approach by Howard Glasser, MA & Jennifer Easley, MA. Included: Transforming the Difficult Child: An Interactive Guide to the Nurtured Heart Approach by Howard Glasser, Joann Bowdidge, & Lisa Bravo
Tried all the other ‘proven’ methods of discipline only to find that they did not work on your child? These books help you re-evaluate those methods and help you develop a customized for-your-child approach.They provide solid tools for dealing with your child’s behavior and even gives predictable responses from your child and how to approach them from those situations. The workbook offers positive activities, not only for you and your child, but also for YOU! If you’ve tried all of the ‘best’ and gotten nowhere, don’t give up, give this book set a try! Goodie #13
Montessori Today: A Comprehensive Approach to Education from Birth to Adulthood by Paula Polk Lilliard
Have you been thinking about trying the Montessori Method with your little one and don’t know where to start? This book will get the ideas flowing with practical tips and applying the Montessori Method to your child’s life. The author brings over a decade of experience as a Montessori teacher and administrator to this overview of Maria Montessori’s teaching methods which “balance freedom with responsibility in the classroom and also set high standards of intellectual and social development for children.” Goodie #14
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Engelmann, Phyllis Haddox & Elaine Bruner
A homeschooling favorite! This book guides you through the painstaking task of teaching your child how to be an independent reader. By applying the tried-and-true method of using phonics you can have your child reading in as little as 20 minutes a day. This is an added bonus for those who have children that are reluctant readers or have short attention spans. Goodie #15
I Spy Two Eyes by Lucy Micklethwait
Employing the same clever contrivance she used in I Spy: An Alphabet in Art , Micklethwait combines a favorite children’s game with a pleasurable exercise in art appreciation. On each left-hand page of this handsome book, a number appears, written both as a word and in extra large numerals. Along with it is the name of an object–1 fly, 2 eyes, 17 birds, and so on–to be spotted, then counted, in a reproduction of a fine painting found on the opposite page. Micklethwait has taken great care not only to find pictures that will challenge children (it’s no snap to find 12 squirrels in Abu’l Hasan’s “Squirrels in a Plane Tree” or 15 hands and feet in Fernand Leger’s “Divers on a Yellow Background”), but also to represent a wide range of art styles and subjects. Goodie #16
Review: Family Science
October 12, 2009 by Karin
Parents and home educators who are familiar with the Family Math Equals series will immediately notice the connection and theory behind Family Science by Portland State University (1999; ISBN 9780876781142). Although not written specifically for home educators the book is written to encourage and foster learning experiences between parent and child in the study and exploration of science. Research has clearly shown over the years that children who do activities with their parents, build close relationships, and learn together will be happier, more self-confident in their own learning, and demonstrate a high level of emotional well-being.
Family Science is full of inexpensive, hands-on activities that encourage cooperative problem-solving, highlight multicultural contributions and career opportunities for all learners, and help reinforce a child’s science experiences. Anyone can be a scientist, and Family Science activities illustrate that much needed fact to our youth. By participating in simple scientific investigations with their child, parents can have a positive influence on children who may think that science is too hard, too abstract, boring or beyond their capabilities.
Family Science makes science more accessible by offering:
-Hands-on approach to learning scientific processes, concepts and themes.
- Cooperative learning activities that develop problem-solving, questioning, and communication skills.
-Strategies for encouraging students to pursue scientific study
- Opportunities to participate in group science activities.
The activities contained in the book are suitable for families with children ages 5-13 and are created to not only illustrate a specific scientific concept but to promote problem solving and independent thinking. There may also be more than one solution to the proposed problem.
Within this book your family can explore: how to cut an opening in an index card large enough to fit over a a family member head to toe (Great Openings, page 44), create experiments to illustrate explanations of common findings such as “light travels in a straight line” or “friction produces heat” ( evidence please, page 89), explore looking through a water drop (page 116), and many others. There are over 50 Family Science Activities to choose from divided by section including: Science Openers, Science at work, Using the Language of Science, Observing your world, The Physical world, and Design and Technology. A separate chapter is devoted to assisting you in starting your own Family Science co-op or event.
While this is not a science curriculum package, it is a wonderful way to bring science to life and engage your child. Homeschool co-op or support group leaders should consider using the book to create a Family Science mini co-op midway through the school year.
For more information and product availability please visit the Family Science website or download the brochure.
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
Review: Spelling Success
October 8, 2009 by Karin
Spelling Success (World Teachers Press) is a reproducible spelling book program for grades 1-7. Each book covers one year of instruction and includes additional activities to further extend the workbook lessons with games, group or partner activities. The program focuses on taking students back to basics when learning to spell. Through the lessons, students are encouraged to discover for themselves the patterns, rules, similarities and differences within each word list.
Detailed explanations and program outlines are included for the teacher in the beginning of each workbook along with dictation sentences for testing.
Pros:
The words used for this program are similar to words that children would encounter with First Grade Readers which allows the spelling program to integrate nicely with the students reading.
Black and white illustrations are not distracting yet grab the students attention. Coloring the pictures after the workbook portion is done is an added treat.
Cons:
The reproducible journal page could have been designed better. It is a good exercise that could also transfer to include handwriting practice.
Conclusion:
Although this program is written for the classroom teacher, most of the additional activities are easily adaptable to smaller groups or individual children. Because there is no written script, parents should feel free to create their own activities that incorporate the spelling program with their existing language arts or reading program. Each workbook ends with a preview of the next book in the series (3-4 sample lessons).
Where to purchase:
Available from Didax for $7.95 per book (at time of publication)
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
Reviews by Karin: Sequential Spelling
October 8, 2009 by Karin
The Sequential Spelling program is based upon the concept of teaching children to spell the same way many of them learned to read—through word families, or “rimes.” Although there are other spelling programs that build off of this belief one of the most important differences in the AVKO (Audio-Visual-Kinesthetic-Oral) approach is that the workbook or tests are used as the learning device and not as a method of evaluation. In using this program children will correct their own mistakes when they make them (not hours, days or weeks later), so that they can learn from them.
The 7-year program does not require students to learn spelling rules or memorize word lists. Instead, through the daily10-minute tests the student can see and learn the patterns and proper spelling for themselves.
The multi-sensory approach allows students to:
Hear the words given by their teacher, in a sentence.
See the words when the corrected spelling is shown by the teacher
Write the word family’s patterns repeatedly as different examples of the word family are given Repeat the word after the teacher.
Each level is its own individual teacher’s guide. A Student Response book may be purchased separately or students may use a ruled spiral notebook.
Please note:
The volume levels do not correlate with grade levels. Students who can read and spell at the 2nd grade level can begin using Sequential Spelling Level 1.
Homophones and heteronyms are included but are to be taught at the teacher’s discretion.
A DVD program of Sequential Spelling level 1 has been released which will allow the student to learn with minimal direction from the parent teacher. The video may be viewed on a television or computer and is comparable to the book version although with the DVD parents will not need to come up with their own word sentences to accompany to the lessons.
This is a very well thought out and researched spelling program that has proven to be especially effective with dyslexics. The AVKO website provides a wealth of information and support for instruction.
For more information:
You may download the first 8 lessons of Sequential Spelling Level 1 for free.
Download the Sequential Spelling Scope & Sequence (levels 1-7) and evaluation tests.
Watch instructional videos by creator Mr. McCabe
Purchase Sequential Spelling Program & Accessories direct from AVKO
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
Geography Products Round Up
October 8, 2009 by Karin
This month, our review roundup features educational products useful in teaching Geography.
Learning Resources U.S.A States & Capitals Bingo
A great way to learn about the United States names, capitals and abbreviations. A fun way to drill and review. Bingo cards are double sided. One side features state names (outlines of state and state name) and the other side features abbreviations (state outline with abbreviation). Four different versions of play available. Suggested for children ages 8+
$7.99
Is geared toward younger elementary students and can be used with one to three players. The variable subject selection lets you adjust the game to focus on learning: continents, countries, oceans or US states. The 12″ globe is appropriately detailed for young children with easy color coding. There are two game modes that include random quizes.
Imaginetics USA Map
Includes a magnetic board with outline of the United States and individual magnetic states featuring symbols that indicate the products, materials and landmarks that can be found in that state. In addition, the capital (marked with a star) and largest city (marked with a dot) is identified on each state.
Also available from Rainbow Resources for $6.50
Beginning Geography: Continents & Oceans (volume 3)
Available from Evan-Moor Publishers, this reproducible book for grades K-2 contains: Teacher Resource pages, reproducible cards, 2 full-color posters (showing continents & animals of continents) and reproducible activity pages. The reproducible pages are perfect for notebooking and the book helps children become familiar with the continents and major bodies of of water.
Beginning Geography: How to Use a map (volume 1)
Also from Evan-Moor Publishers, this reproducible book for grades K-2 contains: 2 color maps, and reproducible activity pages for individual and group use. Students will:
-gain an understanding of various types of maps and how to read them and use them
-learn about the symbols on a map
-name directions on a map
-locate various continents, areas, bodies of water and states on a map
Beginning Geography: Landforms and bodies of water (volume 2)
Part two in the series from Evan-Moor Publishers, this reproducible book is appropriate for K-2 graders.
Topics covered in the reproducible book include:
-islands
-mountains
-lakes
-ponds
-peninsulas
-oceans
-glaciers
-volcanoes
-plains
-valleys
The 17″ x 22″ two-sided, full-color pull-out poster has labeled land and water forms on one side and a “Name It” exercise on the other side. Ideas for extending the lesson are included.
Leapfrog Explorer Smart Globe
A popular interactive learning globe!
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
A Fantastic Homeschool Resource!
September 8, 2009 by Darcy
I recently had the privilege to chat with Karin, the mind behind the Homeschool Resource Toolbar. She has been working so hard on this awesome tool for homeschoolers, and is constantly updating it. If you missed Karin’s workshop at the Heart of the Matter Online Conference, you missed the “ooohhhhs” and “aaahhhhhs” as she revealed just how powerful this resource can be.
Here are some of the features you should know about:
Web Menu button:
sorts the best online resources by category—so easy to locate and use. Categories include Associations, Printables (sorted by grade), educational games, videos, free curriculum, multi media, open courseware and more!
Shopping Cart button
Has all the best homeschooling catalogs, curriculum and online stores. View by subject or methodology.
Chat feature
Lets you chat with other homeschooling toolbar users
Feed button
5 of the best homeschooling blogs feed right into the toolbar. Includes Heart of the Matter so you can stay on top of the latest homeschool news, encouragement and resources.
Radio button
Is actually the most used feature on this tool bar. It allows you to access local radio stations and program in your favorites. But what makes it useful is what it is preprogrammed with—some of the best PODCASTS including: James Dobson parenting podcast, classics for kids, Latin for kids, Candlelight stories for kids, Radio Disney, Sixty Second Science, Flylady and friends, Nutrition Diva, Stuff you should know, and much more including Christian radio stations.
Gadget button
Has tons of cool gadgets to help you get/stay organized. Includes tools to help organize your additional email accounts, social media, favorite online sources, and life!
Additionally, the tool bar updates automatically—download it once and you will always have the latest resources at your finger tips!
To download the toolbar visit http://HomeschoolResource.OurToolbar.com.
Darcy is the mom to three boys ages 8, 7, and 5 and blogs over at Life with My 3 Boybarians. She is the owner of a blog design business at www.graphicallydesigning.com. She and Handy Man live in Iowa…nowhere near a Starbucks.
Review: Journey with Jesus
Journey with Jesus (Gospel Light; 2006) is a thirteen session course for preschool & elementary age children, that may be used independently or in a co-op or group setting. The ‘journey’ is a tour through the 13 cities where Jesus’ ministry came alive.
Outlines are provided with suggested schedules for 45-90 minute class sessions which are based on learning center activities. Learning centers include: Bible story center, game center, art center, worship center and coloring/puzzle center. The program is adaptable to each family or group’s individual tastes or needs. A Journey with Jesus music CD is included in the guide and may be copied for each child to take home (if you choose to do a co-operative).
For those who desire to partner with others in this study you will be pleased to know that the guide includes everything you need to know about recruiting parent teachers and promoting the class as a co-op, to class preparation and instruction information. A full scope & sequence is provided on page 11.
Each lesson is carefully laid out and includes:
Teacher’s Devotional
This section provides the background information for the lesson and proposes ideas for you to ponder to help the section come alive for both you and your students.
God’s Word
A bible memory verse and alternate paraphrased verse for younger children. Plus the key point, such as lesson one, which is “God’s promises always come true.”
Planning Page
Overview of the learning centers listed above.
Lesson information:
Detailed ideas and instruction for each of the learning centers listed above plus bonus theme ideas which can be used at any time during the session as an additional activity center, to extend the session to fill time, or just for added fun.
You may download 14 sample pages here.
Journey with Jesus retails for $39.99
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
Review: Five times Five is not Ten
Five Times Five is not Ten: Make multiplication easy by Susan Greenwald (Longevity Publishing;2008) is a practical supplementary workbook on the multiplication facts that includes easy-to-learn strategies on how to teach the math facts to students who are having difficulty. The workbook is designed for any age student who needs to memorize, learn, remember, master or become more fluent in multiplication facts.
This reproducible book includes 148 pages of practice pages including: introduction, practice, cumulative practice and review. The lessons can easily be individualized for different learning abilities. Parents should not feel a need to complete all of the pages with their children. Some children may need to while others need only complete some to demonstrate mastery. Samplings of addition and/or subtraction facts are mixed in for essential review. Parents who may be nervous about teaching math facts will enjoy the “Guide to Introducing the Facts” (page ix) which is a scripted page on how to introduce the math facts to students and “How to use this book” (page v) which offers helpful tips on using the workbook. Parents are encouraged to use manipulatives ( cubes, buttons, paper clips, chips, etc) when introducing math facts for the first time.
How to use the workbook in teaching math facts:
- Use a set of multiplication flash cards to test the child to determine the baseline of which facts are known. Known facts are those that are answered quickly and correctly. Children should not count to know the answer. That is not mastery.
- Record known facts on the included Math facts baseline recorder (page 153). Transfer the information to the Record-Keeping checklist (page 154). After marking the known facts, the unmarked spaces will allow you to easily see which facts need to be learned. The workbook is designed to be used sequentially, so start with the first workbook page number where there are unmarked spaces.
- Use manipulatives when introducing math facts. If you need a script, use the Guide to Introducing the facts (page ix). Children need to demonstrate an understanding of the meaning of multiplication before we ask them to memorize the facts. As new facts are introduced, mark them in the Recod-keeping checklist. Seeing those filled pages will give students a feeling of accomplishment, so be sure to show them their progress or allow them to mark off completed squares.
- Students should practice at least three times per week; daily is best. The workbook includes 33 sets of introductions and was designed to introduce a new set of facts on each lesson day, but you should adjust to your child’s comfort level and ability.
- Encourage the use of the strategy name when reviewing math facts. It is important that students associate a fact with a strategy rather than count out an answer on their fingers. When stuck on a math fact, you should remind them of the strategy and state the strategy name to recall the answer.
- Celebrate when all the math facts are mastered!
The key to this workbook is the strategies suggested for each math fact. Parents should view the 14 sample pages for further explanation and a better visual explanation. They are impressive! I wish I had been taught my multiplication facts in this manner when I was a child, I might have actually enjoyed math. Susan Greenwald’s book is compatible with any math curriculum you may be using but should not be used until your child has successfully mastered addition and subtraction.
This workbook should be on every homeschool parents shelf. This is a purchase you will not regret.
For more information, visit Susan Greenwald’s blog.
Retails for $24.95 (new)
Karin Katherine is a proud stay-at-home mother of four who feels blessed to be the mother of 5 year old fraternal twin boys and two daughters, ages three and 10 months. You are invited to follow her homeschooling adventures at www.PassportAcademy.com and her adventures as a mother, wife, homemaker, decorator and organizer at www.MommyMattersBlog.com
