Making Math an Adventure

Math was hard for me as a child because I lacked confidence in myself to be able to do it. My brother was always the math man. But as I grew up I discovered that math was hard because of my preconception that it was hard or boring, and that my problem was not that I didn't understand it, it was that I didn't do my homework and get the needed practice! When I had a high school Geometry teacher who required a homework notebook, lo and behold, I got an "A" for the first time in math. I ended up with a minor in Statistics in college.

I have lots of different math books: Holt Rinehart Winston, A Beka, Bob Jones, Heath, Houghton Mifflin, Harcourt-Brace, Scott Foresman. You name it, I may have it. My favorite after seeing all these is the SRA McGraw-Hill Explorations and Applications. The SRA/McGraw Hill K-6 Math program “Explorations and Applications” is a reprint of the old Open Court Real Math series, with more color and pizzazz. You can still buy Open Court version, for less money. I have bought my books from the publisher and from Math-n-Stuff. Levels K-2 are consumable, around $18. Grades 3 and up are hardback and priced around $38. You can also buy the Open Court Real Math books for grades 7 and 8, which are among the best texts available for those levels.

I first became interested in this series through overhearing a conversation at a homeschool convention. I was at the booth set up by a Seattle store called Math 'n Stuff. They sell more than 10,000 math and logic items. When both the owner and a saleswoman (who was also a former high school math teacher) very enthusiastically recommended SRA/McGraw Hill “Explorations and Applications”, I decided to take note. I did end up buying the text books (but no other supplements). After that purchase, I found a review of Explorations and Applications at Mathematically Correct. Check out this link for lots of info.

One math reviewer wrote: "The Open Court Real Math program has proven to be developmentally appropriate and yet consciously rigorous. Life experiences are often the reference points that allow students to see and experience mathematics in their own lives. There is an integrated use of manipulatives, thinking stories and mental math promoted through a non-routine, problem solving format."

One reason I am so happy with this program is the strong application problems that it incorporates. Another benefit of this series is that there is built-in algebra readiness from the earliest lessons. There are application questions throughout all the chapters. There are mid- unit reviews and assessment lessons. Teacher’s notes are at the bottom of the page. This series makes math fun.

There are also Thinking Skills books for each grade level through grade 3. For grades 4 and up, the Thinking Skills problems are incorporated into the student text. The Thinking Story book is “an essential part of the program. It is aimed at developing quantitative intelligence-creativity and common sense in the use of mathematics. The thinking skills that are stressed include choosing appropriate operations, recognizing when a mathematical model is or is not appropriate, recognizing absurd answers, recognizing obvious answers (those that don't need calculation), and solving realistic measurement problems.”

SRA has also created sets of 25 math board games for each grade level. These games are direct application of the various math skills and sell for $25 each set. We haven't used the math games much, because we do so much on the computer, but if your family likes board games, it is a great bargain. My kids have more than 20 computer programs dealing with math. They love them. They love figuring out the answer to something. Math software programs we are using successfully include:

Our Favorite Math Computer Programs
Math Quest (Robin Williams as the genii)		Disney Interactive
Treasure Math Storm		Learning Co.
Algebra		Davidson
Treasure Mountain (captivating)		Learning Co.
Math Workshop (almost excellent)		Broderbund
Logical Journey of the Zoombinis (excellent)		Broderbund
Math Rabbit		Learning Co.
Treasure Cove		Learning Co.
Treasure Galaxy		Learning Co.
Treehouse		Broderbund
Math Blaster first grade		Knowledge Adventure
Mighty Math Number Heroes		Edmark
Geometry		Davidson
Interactive Math Journey		Learning Co.
Mathopolis		Microsoft
Kindergarten		Learning Co.
Preschool		Learning Co.
Troggle Trouble Math
Early Math (great for youngers)		Brightstar
3rd Grade Adventures		Learning Co.
Logic Quest		Learning Co.
Math Journey 1-3		Learning Co.
1st Grade Success Starter		Broderbund
Math ages 4-6		Davidson

These computer games have made math FUN and not something to be avoided or dreaded. They come across as games, but the math is very strongly an element to solving the puzzle, or whatever. We don't use arcade programs around here. If it doesn't have any redeeming value educationally, we don't use it. So that is a very strong way to incorporate math and keep it fun.

While I was working on the computer late last night, my four year old was sitting by my side doing his Kindergarten math book. He did 40 pages just last night at 10 pm. It is colorful, and the pages have simple concepts that build well on each other. There are 226 pages in the K book. I would not delay teaching math, personally, because of these reasons:

An algebra program suitable for a 6 year old dying to learn it is available from the Borenson Company. Hands-On Equations is a visual and kinesthetic teaching system for introducing algebraic concepts to students in grades 3 to 8. Developed by Dr. Henry Borenson, this teaching system enables young children as early as 3rd grade to gain access to algebraic concepts normally presented in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. You will find a review of this program at Mathematically Correct also.

Kryska Collier, an experienced homeschooler, wrote:

“Some time ago, we moved both our girls down a level in math (to what would be their level in public school). While they were able to do the higher level, they took a long time to do it, and felt it was difficult or "boring." Once we moved them back, they could "do" math with ease and confidence, which we felt was as important a lesson as any math concept.

"Now they are moving quickly over the material, but they no longer feel frustrated. I expect that within 3 months or so they will be back in their former books. They are developing more of an appreciation for the mental stimulation of figuring things out successfully. Also, I felt this gave them a stronger foundation in the basics. For us, that was a good move. Now, they are reading books like Fingermath, Math puzzles, and Math for Smarty Pants as recreational reading.”

Julie Cluff, another homeschooling mom, shared the following opinion:

"I love math, and think early math should be a large dose of understanding addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, then learning these facts so they are on the top of your head in a flash. When you know the basics the rest is so much easier. It is so easy to teach these facts early (during the grammar stage) so that when they are ready for the truly abstract (logic stage) they are not struggling with computation while trying to learn new concepts. This has been my observation with my children.

"I had one daughter who whizzed through her math curriculum but in 5th grade I realized that she still was not comfortable with her basic facts, and therefore did not test well. Also, as a result she started to struggle with harder concepts that should have been easy for her.

"Of course, if you say, “What is 8 – 5?” and they don't know, then you suggest, "Well, 3+5 = 8, so 8-5 = what?" and that doesn't make any sense to them, then it is time to pull out the pennies, pebbles, beans, bears, whatever, and show the "8" family. Understanding the relationship between addition and subtraction, and multiplication and division is very important especially when they get to algebra. In order to solve algebraic equations they have to be able to think in complimentary operations and know the characteristics of these operations.

"I have put off math "curriculum" for a time with my 8 yos in order to drill, drill, drill the basic math facts. I wish I had started at the beginning of the year doing this. I think this will pay off in the long run. Of course, this can be done in a month or a year depending on when you start and how old the child is.”

Here are a couple of examples from the SRA Explorations and Applications First grade Thinking Story Book. These separate books go up to fourth grade, and thereafter are incorporated into the text. These questions are on a first grade level, but will give you a feel for the slant of the types of questions in the book.

Ferdie is trying to help by pulling weeds in his grandpa's garden. Every time he pulls up three weeds, he pulls up a bean plant by mistake. Ferdie has pulled up 12 weeds. Can you figure out how many bean plants he has pulled up?

"That's a tall pear tree, Grandpa," said Ferdie. "I know it is," said
Grandpa. "I climbed up 6 yards in it and then I could just reach the top with a 2-yard pole." Can you figure out how tall the pear tree is? (not exactly, but it's more than 8 yards)

The Engs live two blocks from the post office. The Breezys live one block farther away from the post office than then Engs do. Can you tell how far the Engs live from the Breezys? (no) What are some possible answers? One block, five blocks

Ferdie, Portia, Marcus, and Willy were drawing pictures. Portia was the
second one to finish, Ferdie was the third one to finish, and Marcus was the fourth one to finish. What can you figure out about Willy? (he was first)

Those are from story 19, called Trouble in the Garden, a four page story (text is about one half, then pictures the other half)

From Story 7:
That tree is two years older than I am, said Mr. Burns, and I am 40 years old. How old is the tree? (42)

Ferdie had one dollar. He bought two bagels. How much money did he have left? (can't tell) What do you need to know before you can tell? the cost of a bagel

Portia lives on the second floor of an apartment building. Her friend Janet lives on the fourth floor. How many floors up does Portia have to go to visit Janet? two How many floors up does Janet have to go to visit Portia? (She doesn't go up; she goes down two floors).

Ms. Eng's Fish Stories

Ms. Eng likes to go fishing and she likes to tell other people about it, but sometimes she doesn't tell enough. One day when she got back from a fishing trip, the children were all out in front of her house to meet her. “How many fish did you catch?” they asked. “Well,” said Ms. Eng, “In the morning I caught four fish, and in the afternoon I caught some more. So you should be able to figure out how many I caught all together.” Can you figure it out? Why not? (No, she doesn't say how many she caught in the afternoon.)

“Wait a minute,” said Marcus. “How many fish did you catch in the afternoon?” “I caught only two fish in the afternoon,” said Ms. Eng. “They weren't biting as well then.” Now can you figure out how many fish she caught all together?

"Six! You caught six fish!” the children all shouted, except for Ferdie. Ferdie thought Ms. Eng had caught only two fish. What did Ferdie forget about? (The fish she caught in the morning).

“Did you catch any big fish?” asked Willy. “Indeed I did,” said Ms. Eng. “I caught one that is almost as big as the biggest fish I ever caught.” “How long is the fish,” Willy asked. ” You should be able to figure that out for yourself,” said Ms. Eng, “when I tell you that the big fish I caught today is only 1 cm shorter than the biggest fish I ever caught.” Can you figure it out? (no) Marcus asked, “How long was the biggest fish you ever caught?” “It was 41 cm long,” said Ms. Eng. Now can you figure out how long the fish is that Ms. Eng caught today? (yes, by subtracting one from 41). [That's about half the story.]

The two main sections of the SRA McGraw Hill Explorations and Applications Kindergarten book are Patterns and Numbers, and Shapes and Graphing. Actual addition starts on p. 177. Some of the concepts covered include Comparing, Classifying, Matching, More and Fewer, Patterning, Money, Writing numbers, Measurement, Probability, Graphing, Shapes, One Half, Numbers up to 29 (by page 157), Calendar, Sequencing, Ordinal Position, Time, Map reading, Addition, Subtraction, Word Problems. No Teacher’s Edition is necessary; all directions needed are at the bottom of each page.

The second grade book (which is consumable) starts multiplication on page 265 (after multiplication "readiness" throughout). There are about 400 pages in all. The third grade book starts multiplication in chapter two. Book 2 covers: addition and subtraction, fact families, column addition, perimeter, graphing; two digit addition and subtraction, time, fractions, congruent figures, symmetry, money; measurement, length, weight, and capacity, approximation, reading maps, shapes; money and multiplication: collecting data, algebra readiness, adding and subtracting money, three-digit addition and subtraction, four-digit addition and subtraction, division readiness.

For comparison, the third grade text (non consumable) has 500 pages. It has the usual review section (124 pages), then moves to multiplication and division (100 pages), then fractions and decimals, graphing, money, mixed numbers (100 pages), then geometry, weights and measures, and more multiplication (2 and 3 digit), counting to one million, exploring exponents.

We have lots of math and logic links, plus a downloadable manual and software for Logo, a great way to teach beginning programming.

One educator had this to say: "The Open Court Real Math program has proven to be developmentally appropriate and yet consciously rigorous. In whole class and small group discussions, life experiences are often the reference points that allow students to see and experience mathematics in their own lives. There is an integrated use of manipulatives, thinking stories and mental math promoted through a non-routine, problem solving format."