Welcome to our monthly Spotlight on Five!
Using Literature to Teach Math
Math is not a subject one typically thinks about when creating a reading list. But if you have a student like mine, who is a great reader but less than enthusiastic about math, using a literature-based approach to math may be your answer.
Using children’s picture books to introduce and reinforce math concepts serves a couple of purposes. First of all, reading is typically less intimidating for math phobic kids. In fact, they may enjoy the story and not even realize they are learning math.
Also, books can help children see how math is everywhere and really is a useful subject. How many times have you heard one of your students say, “Why do I need to learn this? I’ll never use it!” Children’s books are filled with illustrations for just how useful math is for everyday life.
Here are a few ways you can use books to teach math:
1. Fill a book basket with math-friendly picture books for free reading. Choose books that reinforce the math concepts you are currently teaching or concepts your student is struggling to grasp. Assign 15 minutes of reading per day from the math book basket. You don’t need to tell him he’s learning math while having fun reading!
2. Select books that introduce or reinforce a specific math concept to read aloud. From number operations to geometry to algebra, the choices abound. If you are teaching a new math concept or your student is struggling to learn one you have already introduced, adding read-aloud time not only makes learning more fun, it gives that real life connection to the subject matter.
3. Use math-friendly books in other subjects, like Language Arts. Have your student write a book report, or create a spelling or vocabulary list from books that also reinforce math skills. Children’s picture books that teach math skills are generally fun and have interesting characters. Perhaps your student would enjoy modeling one in his own creative writing.
I know you’re wondering now where to find all of these great books to help you teach math. The best site I have found is at livingmath.net. You’ll find a comprehensive list of math-loving books, divided into categories here.
Happy math teaching!
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| Marcy Crabtree |
Marcy Crabtree spent nearly 15 years as an Ob nurse, sometimes juggling homeschooling with the job she calls her first ministry. Grateful that her main ministry today is at home, she has been married to Tom for 16 years, and is 12-year-old Ben’s proud momma. Her homeschool style is delight-directed with lots of unit studies, lap-books, and notebooks. She is greatly influenced by Charlotte Mason’s love of living books and the Principle Approach method of homeschooling. If she ever writes a book herself, it’s likely to be titled “Homeschooling by the Field Trip Method.” She blogs at Ben and Me.
Take a look below at this month’s resources for additional ideas. Be sure to let us know how you teach reading, math, and writing in your homeschool. Email Paul and Gena Suarez and share your story. We’d love to hear about it!
September’s Spotlight on Reading, Math,
and Writing
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Wings to Soar Online Academy
Wings to Soar Online Academy tailors Custom Learning Plans for each student preK-12th. We draw upon many quality online programs to wrap a custom package around your student.Lexia or Reading Horizons provide a solid elementary core for Elementary students, with remedial options for older struggling readers.
ABC Mouse, RAZ Kids, and Scootpad provide thousands of online books plus enjoyable skill practice.
First 4000 Words/Vocabitat or Wordly Wise Online enrich vocabulary.
Wings to Soar Spelling Foundations targets the highest frequency phonetic patterns with rules for use, “outlaw” word families, and rulebreakers through online and multisensory practice.
Additional reading, vocabulary, spelling, language, and math practice are available in Nessy, RAZ Kids, Moby Max, Scootpad, and Edmodo.
Fast ForWord’s targeted workout for the brain strengthens memory, attention, processing speed, and sequencing for improvement in phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, decoding, working memory, syntax, and grammar.
Our Upper Elementary, Middle School, and Integrated Liberal Studies Literature and Composition classes use StudySync for our literature core and PEG Writing with it’s powerful feedback on 6 traits of good writing.
Contact Wings to Soar Online Academy today for your FREE consultation, FREE assessments, and FREE trials.
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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Saxon Math Defines Success
Saxon Math™ Homeschool is the nation’s most comprehensive and thoroughly researched math program for homeschoolers today. With Saxon, you can help your child develop a complete mastery of math language and concepts, from kindergarten to advanced high school levels.
Over the years, Saxon has become the premier choice in countless homes around the country for one simple reason: “Saxon works.” Results are specific and tangible-including higher test scores-so you can see exactly how well your child is progressing.
Younger children gain a firm, foundational understanding of math. Older children can prepare for college-level math or college entrance exams such as the SAT® or ACT®. Children at every level can learn to approach complex problems with confidence-a lasting benefit they take with them into the world.
The program features hands-on experiences and a user friendly format, which includes the following:
- Manipulatives kit for younger learners
- Investigations that deepen understanding for middle grades
- Algebra 2, Advanced Mathematics, and Calculus for advanced learners
- New concepts supported by review and reinforcement
- Full step-by-step solutions to problems and tests
For additional information on Saxon Homeschool Math or to place an order,
visit hmhco.com or call 800.225.5425.
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Institute for Excellence in Writing
The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW®) gives homeschooling parents the confidence to teach reading or writing–guaranteed! In addition to enjoyable, effective, easy-to-use materials, our knowledgeable team is ready to help you with this task.
For younger or struggling readers: Primary Arts of Language (PAL): Reading and Writing (K-2).
- PAL integrates poetry, storytelling, spelling, and composition.
- PAL teaches phonics within the context of whole words.
- PAL uses letter stories, games, the Phonetic Farm, and daily reader work pages for fun, effective, hands-on learning.
- PAL is easy to use. The Teacher’s Manual guides you each step of the way.
- PAL integrates seamlessly into our Teaching Writing: Structure and Style program.
For students who can read: Teaching Writing: Structure and Style with Andrew Pudewa (gr. 2-12).
- It’s enjoyable. Through video instruction, you and your children will laugh as you learn.
- It breaks down the complex writing process using modeling and imitation.
- It’s simple to evaluate: You learn along with your children; teacher instructions prepare you to evaluate their progress using a checklist approach.
It’s guaranteed! We offer a no-time-limit, 100% money-back guarantee
on everything we sell!
To attend a free webinar or learn more, click here.
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Root 7 Educational Services
Making Math More Enjoyable
Root 7’s resources are designed to increase understanding, proficiency and enjoyment of mathematics. Structured around current teaching methods that are aligned with modern theories on how children learn.
Pattern Blocks Our latest resource uses a hands-on approach to develop an understanding of Perimeter and Area, Fractions, Geometry, Transformations and Patterns. Each unit comes with hands-on Activities, Teacher Notes, Practice Sheets and Answers.
The use of colorful graphics in our Math Starters and Problem Solving resources has proven to be an excellent way to motivate students. The graphics draw them in, making them curious to know more about the problem.
Our colorful Math Starters are based on learning outcomes in grades 5 – 8. Over 200 curriculum-based questions are divided into units allowing a student, teacher, or parent to select a topic, and related questions. On screen hints and solutions are included.
Our Problem Solving resource provides a tutorial, a worked example and six problems for each of eight strategies, together with 30 problems where students select the most appropriate strategy. On screen hints and solutions are included.
Visit our website to download Free Samples of Root 7’s resources.
Students love to learn math using our Resources.
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Tixlers®
Tixlers® Letters
Teach reading and handwriting, using proven Montessori and Orton-Gillingham multisensory principles, with the effective and efficient Tixlers Letters cards – used by homeschoolers, teachers, tutors, and parents across the US and Canada. The cards help you teach handwriting and phonics – the foundations for higher-order reading and writing skills.
Handwriting
The textured cursive, manuscript, and digit handwriting decks have beautifully designed and colored letters and digits to teach proper letter formation and prepare students for the higher-level writing skills. Because of the texturing, your students will practice over and over, receive immediate positive feedback while tracing, develop muscle memory, and learn to write automatically, legibly, and efficiently.
Textured Phonics
The textured phonics decks (110 cards) teach phonics and spelling kinesthetically, with rules and examples on each card.
Phonics and Morphology
The teacher and student phonics and morphology decks (over 400 cards each) include phonograms, spelling and grammar rules, and Latin and Greek roots, prefixes, and suffixes. The teacher’s deck also includes word lists, meanings, mnemonics, and pronunciation guides. The student’s deck promotes active learning with space to write examples, rules, and definitions.
Visit tixlers.com, call 585-313-7994, or search Amazon for Tixlers.
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