Showing posts with label Math. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Math. Show all posts

Monday, April 7, 2014

Ultimate Guide to Learning Through Song (in the grammar stage)

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Don't miss The Ultimate Classical Curriculum Giveaway at the bottom of this post!

A key component of the grammar stage (or elementary age) is learning lots of information.  Young children are like sponges, able to soak up whatever you put in front of them.  In classical education, we like to think of this as creating hooks (or pegs) in a child's brain for them to hang more information on as they grow and learn more.

My children and I begin most mornings going through our memory box.  We memorize scripture, poetry, science facts, history sentences, geography facts, and more.  Some things we memorize by simply speaking, others we learn through song!  Sometimes we use published songs,  other times we make up out own songs!

Here are some of the little songs we have made up: (don't mind my son's extra blinking, he has pinkeye =)




We also have certain songs that go with particular curriculum we are using.  We have a song for  Veritas Press history and many songs for Song School Latin from Classical Academic Press.  A few days a week I will have the kids work on puzzles or some other quiet activity like that and I will play through those types of songs for them in the background.  It's truly amazing what they can memorize, especially when it is put to song! 

While I was in the middle of writing this post, I came across Dr. Perrin (from Classical Academic Press) giving a talk on this same topic!  If you are wondering "Why memorize?" or "Why memorize to music?" definitely take some time to watch this video.




Here is a great list of resources for you to use for memorizing information through song.  Everyone's styles and needs are different, so if you don't like one selection, just try another!  The resources are broken down by subject.

















      (please note that there is evolutionary content in some of these)




    Multiple Subject Areas:



    Do you use songs to help your children memorize information?  

    What are your favorite resources?  

    Leave a comment if I missed a good one!



    Do you want to learn more about memory work?  Check out this Ultimate Guide to Memory Work from Pam at Everyday Snapshots.

    Are you looking for some great classical curriculum?  Check out this Ultimate Guide to Classical Curriculum from Kyle at Aspired Living.

    Then enter to win over $200 with of classical curriculum below!



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    Check out other great Ultimate Guides from the ladies at the iHomeschool Network!:

     
    Posted by Amy Maze at 1:00 AM 35 comments
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    Wednesday, March 26, 2014

    Kindergarten Saxon Math Review

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    I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old and at the turn of the year I was feeling like I wanted to change up our math routine a bit. We have been using Ray's Arithmetic and it has provided my son with a fantastic understanding of how addition and subtraction works. We are still using Ray's a couple days a week, but I wanted to incorporate something that would also provide practice in some classic kindergarten type skills (patterns, basic measuring, calendar reading, etc.) After consulting a few classical homeschooling references, I decided to give Saxon a try. They said that the kindergarten curriculum was more on the preschool level, but because I wanted to use it with both my 3 and 5 year olds, I thought it would be just right for us. I was right!

    Come read my full review at The Curriculum Choice!


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    Posted by Amy Maze at 2:00 AM 0 comments
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    Wednesday, February 19, 2014

    SPEED! A Skip Counting Game

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    Kids love to play games.  Moms love it when their kids are learning.  Everyone is happy when they find an activity that satisfies both criteria.

    Last year I noticed a blogger friend (Julie from Highhill Homeschool) had created a game called SPEED!  It's a card game that teaches skip counting from 2's to 9's.  When I first read about SPEED!, I thought it would be too difficult for my son, but as they year went on, his ability to play games greatly increased, so I thought I would give it a shot!

    Boy am I glad I did.  Come read my full review at The Curriculum Choice!


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    Posted by Amy Maze at 8:25 AM 0 comments
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    Tuesday, January 14, 2014

    Kindergarten Math...Take Two

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    This post contains affiliate links to products we use and love!

    This week I am taking the time to talk about how I teach each subject and also what changes I am making for the rest of the year.  If you didn't read the Classical Kindergarten...Take Two intro post, take a minute to read that first so you understand why I am making some changes for the rest of the year.


    How we have been doing Math



    Since last year we have been using Ray's Arithmetic for our math studies.  I got this suggestion from classical-homeschooling.org.  I've written two posts about how we have used Ray's:


    Essentially, the grammar of math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) is taught through story problems.  The child is encouraged to use manipulatives to solve problems until they understand enough to do the problems in their head.

    Each day we will talk through about ten story problems like, "Johnny had 9 apples.  His mom gave him 3 more.  How many apples did he have then?"  Then my son will do a corresponding workbook page to reinforce the math facts.

    I really do like this no-frills method.  My son is learning his addition and subtraction very well.  He truly understands what is going on and this is setting him up for success later on in his math career. 

    The problem is what I talked about in the Classical Kindergarten...Take Two intro post.  My son is getting super frustrated and easily discouraged lately.  While I know that he is capable of doing the work from Ray's Arithmetic (because he gets the answers just fine when he focuses long enough to do the problems), I feel like I need to bring things back a bit to help him re-gain confidence and to show him that working to get things done is worth it.  I want to remember that he is just five and don't want to push him to frustration while missing out on these special early years.


    Math Changes


    I decided to take a look at what other classical education folks suggested for kindergarten.  I don't know why I hadn't noticed this before, but Veritas Press, The Well Trained Mind, and Classical Conversations all recommend Saxon for kindergarten math.  Veritas Press mentioned that most kindergarteners would be more than ready to handle Saxon 1 (instead of K), but I decided to start at the beginning.


    What I feel my son could benefit from is the fun part of kindergarten math.  Things like patterns, simple measuring, counting money, etc.  This is exactly what Saxon K offers.  Another bonus (for me) is that it is a scripted program.  Every few months I get overwhelmed with planning and think "I'm just going to buy a box curriculum!"  I look online and am reminded why I don't want to do that (personally).  I'm thinking that a few subjects being scripted might be a good compromise for right now.


    We've just been doing Saxon for about a week, but so far it is the perfect way to start the day!  Another bonus is that my preschooler can also handle it (remember, everyone says it's easy for kindergarten) so it's something that we can all do together.  The kids both LOVE the manipulative set and ask to use items from it even when it's not math time.

    So right now we are doing a lesson (or two) from Saxon K each morning and then a few times a week we are still doing a lesson from Ray's (because it's so good for learning the math facts). 




    How do you teach Math to your kids? 



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    Posted by Amy Maze at 8:00 AM 4 comments
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    Friday, August 23, 2013

    Classical Mamas Read - The Well Trained Mind Ch. 15-16

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    Welcome back to Classical Mamas Read!  I'm excited to be back here with you today to discuss chapters 15 and 16 of The Well Trained Mind.  If you want to take a look back at our previous discussions, click the picture above to take you to a list of each chapter we have talked about.

    Reading about the logic stage has been very interesting to me.  It's helping me see some of the reasons behind what we are doing now in the grammar stage.  Have those of you with young children read the logic and rhetoric chapters in this book, or did you stop at the end of the grammar stage section?

    Here are some of the quotes and ideas that I found interesting and helpful from the two chapters I read for this week.  As always, the book has numerous suggestions for resources, scheduling, etc. that you are going to want to check out for yourself!


    Ch. 15 - The Language of Reason: Math (Logic Stage)


    During the logic stage, the study of math goes from arithmetic (mathematical operations such as adding, subtracting, dividing, multiplying, and so on) to mathematics (understanding how numbers relate and why). (pg.252)

    • Along with this transition, comes the transition from the mental mode to the symbolic mode.  Remember in the grammar stage, students begin at the manipulative mode (actually moving objects around to solve problems) and move into the mental mode (being able to picture the objects instead of having to touch them).  The dialectic stage is when they transition into the symbolic mode, which is being able to use abstract numbers and symbols without having to picture them.

    • This transition is usually completed in the 5th-6th grades.

    • The authors are pretty adamant about not letting your children use calculators until this transition is complete.


    When do you (or will you) let your children begin using calculators?



    • They recommend including practical, everyday math into your studies.


     What are some of your favorite ways to make math applicable for your logic stage student? 



    • 7th-8th grade is when students will begin upper level math such as algebra and geometry.  The authors suggest that upper level math is good for all students, even those not pursuing mathematical fields.  Here are some of the reasons:
     
      • learning to work with unknowns
      • developing analyzing skills
      • strengthening logic skills
      • In a nut shell, it helps students become better THINKERS, which is helpful in all areas of life.


    What do you think about higher math for your children who probably won't go into math related fields?



    Ch. 16 - Why 1492?  History and Geography (Logic Stage)


    • In the logic stage, students move from merely memorizing events and hearing relatively isolated stories, to connecting the dots between them. 
     
    • They begin to ask questions to discover what the causes and effects are that string history events into one long story.
     
    •  If it isn't already, the logic stage is when history should really become the backbone that ties all of your other subjects together.
     
    • Assemble a history notebook:
      • Time Line (to see how all events relate to one another)
      • Outline (look past the rhetoric and get to the main point of the text)
      • Evaluating Primary Sources (instead of relying on reading other people's evaluations of events)
      • Organize all the information

    How does your logic stage time line look different than your grammar stage time line?


    Do you add on to your previous timeline or start a new one?

    Do you have a family time line, or does each of your children have their own to add to?


    • The Outline - this is the logic stage counterpart to grammar stage narration, the information is just more complex.
     
      • 5th grade - Write a summary sentence for each paragraph (label with Roman numerals)
     
      • 6th grade - Add supporting points under each summary sentence (A and B under the Roman numerals)
     
      • 7th grade - Add sub points under the supporting points (1 and 2 under each A and B)
     
      • 8th grade - same as 7th

    • Don't forget to tie geography into history!

    What does your logic stage history look like?  What resources do you use and what do you expect from your child?


     ______________________________________________________________________________


    If you don't have the book already, you can look for it at your library or get it on amazon. (The Well Trained Mind)

    If you are behind, feel free to still comment on the previous discussions.  If you want to be emailed when someone makes a comment, make sure to click "Subscribe by Email" right under the comment box (right hand side), so you won't miss out on any discussion!


    Classical Mamas Read Link-Up


    Did you write about these chapters on your blog?  Have you been reading and blogging about another book (for you, not a children's book)?  Do you have a book club going on at your blog (once again, not for a children's book)?  I'd love for you link up here so we can all be encouraged by each other and maybe find another great book to read!

    I think I'm going to keep this link-up ongoing since there aren't going to be a huge number of posts and then anyone new will be able to be encouraged by the other book reading ideas and discussions.  If the number of posts gets too large, I will fix it.

    Please note, all posts must be on topic (about a book you are reading) and appropriate (think family friendly).


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    Posted by Amy Maze at 2:37 PM 0 comments
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    Saturday, June 29, 2013

    Classical Curriculum - Arithmetic Workbooks Review

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    I don't know what it is, but I am always drawn to what I call the "Little Old Books."  I guess it is the time-tested methods and the harkening to a better simpler time that always piques my interest.  It seems like these days, most of the current curricula for little children is either digital, complete with all the blinking, bleeping, flashing distractions that kids today have come to love, or in text/workbooks filled with large, colorful, silly pictures that are just as sure to distract from the material.  I understand that people think that these things will keep children's interest better, but I bed to differ.  I honestly think that those things keel children's interest away from the material and that we are not giving our children the benefit of the doubt that they deserve.

    With that in mind, I was very pleased to stumble across Ray's Arithmetic books. (affiliate link)

    Today I am over at The Curriculum Choice reviewing these arithmetic books, focusing on the Classical Curriculum workbooks.  Head on over to read the rest of my review!
    Posted by Amy Maze at 8:13 AM 2 comments
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