Every curriculum has its educational philosophy behind it. The approaches are so varied: spiral, mastery, math facts, visual representations, tactile manipulative, word problems, math narratives, enrichment, review, abstract and concrete. One school of thought is that one particular approach is superior and thus should be utilized exclusively. I prefer to identify what a curriculum provider does well and utilize it accordingly, pick and choose what Input out on the table. Very much a feast, as you described.
My own philosophy is one that sees great value in blending approaches--one of the reasons that I call myself an "eclectic" homeschooler vs. sticking strictly to one way. I think that many, many students benefit from the "blend" of approaches.
We use multiple resources for math as well. Sometimes it just helps keep them engaged by switching things up, or they may make the connection better with concepts being demonstrated in varying ways.
Thanks for this video! We have been using MWC. We’re on the first grade book now. I love how it lays out math concepts but I feel like my student needs to be challenged a bit more. We are first time homeschoolers and I never thought to use two curriculums at once for math. I will definitely look into adding another one!
We use MWC as our main curriculum, so I use it to teach a new concept. We try to do quick “night math” and some weekend math. For that we use primary mathematics 2022.
@@SevenInAllI love your reasoning here! It made me feel quite justified in what I’m doing right now. I think I just need to find the right rhythm. I’ve done math with confidence for three years now, but wanted to shake things up and add in The Good And The Beautiful for some of that fun and joy in their math. I just thought my arty little girl with a big imagination would love it. She absolutely does but it does lack a lot of the incredible instruction I’m used to with MWC. So now I’m just kind of winging it, doing a week of MWC and then pausing to do what we can in TGATB. When we come to a new concept I see what Kate Snow has to say, teach from there first and then let TGATB instruct as well after. Like I said, once I figure out the best rhythm I think using two maths can be a great way to fit my child’s style and have her continue to love mathematics. Something I never got as a girl in US schools. I love math now, I wish I could have felt confident since I was young. It’s the gift I want to give my daughter 💗💗 thank you!
This is why we use different curricula for different subjects (at once), so we can adapt to differing needs and journeys. (“Kiddo can’t probably do this from X yet so let’s work up to it w/this from Y and do this extra thing from Z for kicks and giggles.”) The concept of “Feast” defines it perfectly; brick-and-mortar schools rarely utilize different resources to help children so it’s up to us to provide a more enriching environment with several sources for them to learn something from.
Loved the "and do this extra thing from Z for kicks and giggles" exactly! I love that in homeschool we have this freedom to create a rich learning experience using multiple resources instead of sticking to one curriculum as a "box."
I use two because my child gets bored of going through the same things even though he needs a mastery approach to help him learn. It's kind of the compromise that we're "spiralling" between the two curriculums but still enabling him to master concepts in a linear way. I switch them week by week. 😅
Yes, we're currently using 3 different curricula. We're using Kate Snow's Math Facts That Stick books to solidify those math facts (that's our primary curriculum atm), we're using Mathematical reasoning as an easy review of things we've already learned, and we're using Beast Academy for the challenge. That's for my 8yo. My 4yo is doing Preschool Math at Home and Mathematical Reasoning.
We use 2 math curriculums as well. My reasoning is a little different. One curriculum is parent led, and the other is more independent. Having a new baby, sometimes I am not able to teach a math lesson, but I still want the kids to do math, so that's when I have them complete a lesson on their own. They both do Math with Confidence, which I teach. My older child does Teaching Textbooks independently, and my younger does Mathematical Reasoning from The Critial Thinking Company independently.
After teaching in a private Montessori school I found a love for Montessori math which is basically math UC. Now that I'm homeschooling I utilize my certification skills from Montessori along with Horizons math program. After discovering so many gaps in my older child's math experience I decided to bring in teaching textbooks and have him basically repeat two grades below him at an accelerated Pace obviously. Most of the concepts he was familiar with but by doing that I was able to kind of bridge and close a lot of the gaps without me having to reteach every single concept from the ground up. My younger two have a solid math Foundation because of their experience in the Montessori School but I would like to find an online resource that can help with more critical thinking/problem solving and get the math facts down faster.
Beast Academy (which has an online element) is very strong with critical thinking & problem solving, but does not focus at all on facts. We have done good old-fashioned flashcard drills to gain speed at facts.
@SevenInAll I've had my eye on Beast Academy for a while I should honestly just check it out. I like having a different approach to learning(online) since we are a traditional approach only family.
My gifted 5 year old uses two math curriculum as well. I just don’t tell anyone, lol, as it is already hard enough to deal with people questioning why he is doing second grade math when he is only 5. It took a while for me to figure out what would work best for him, but so far, doing the two curriculum at the same time is what is working well for us. Nice to see we aren’t alone. It doesn’t take long at all. I would say about 30 minutes of math between the two math curriculum a day, so about 15 minutes each. We actually use a second grade math curriculum as his challenging book as that is where he is at academically and he enjoys it, otherwise he gets bored, but We also use a rigorous Kindergarten level math as well, because my son is still a little boy that at times likes the fun coloring activities and games that are in the little kid Kindergarten books, that his second grade math book doesn’t really include, because they assume 8 year olds are working on that book and no longer care for these things. We were able to find the perfect balance between him getting the challenge he wanted and needed with the 2nd grade math, but also the fun coloring activities and games in the Kindergarten math curriculum. Thank you so much for your UA-cam channel. It is always so nice to see videos from another homeschool mom who truly understands the unique schooling that gifted littles benefit from.
I love that you have found a great combo of resources for your son -- and yes, I can definitely relate to needing to find that unique combo. My 6 year old (1st grader) actually finished the 2nd grade book and started 3rd grade MWC this past week and in reality it's so "easy" for him...and looking at the scope and sequence...the majority of it is concepts he already knows...yet he still loves the games and loves working the pages, and it's good reading practice, so I still see a lot of value in it even if it's not challenging him--using BA adds the challenge. When they are so young but love math and grasp advanced concepts...it definitely creates a unique challenge for creating that math plan.
We’ve been using 2 (sometimes more than 2) math programs for 3 years already. Singapore Dimensions and Beast Academy. It’s been a life changer for my not-math inclined kid AND for my “quick-to-learn” kid. We do basic concepts with Dimensions and then polish everything up with BA.
That's wonderful that this has been such an effective strategy for you! And yes, in reality, I only really talk about 2 math programs...but if I 'counted' some of the other mathy things we do it's usually more than two. haha!
We use Life and Fred and TGTB math. On our “break weeks” we use an arithmetic primer and facts that stick books to reinforce some concepts or just to gain speed. My daughter loves math though and asks to do it basically every day. We do LOF about once a week at this point as she is on book F and the concepts ballooned pretty quickly for a second grader so we will finish the elementary series and circle back to the beginning on that. I am not sure we will stick with TGTB as I am not sure it is explaining well enough for my children and we used math with confidence K and absolutely loved it (thinking switching back to this)
We are using Apologia mathematics and The Good and The Beautiful Simply Math together. The lessons in both are very short and my daughter really enjoys math so we do a lesson out of each on school days.
We also use MWC and BA for my 6 year old. She loves the games and colorful pages in MWC but also loves the more challenging puzzle problems in BA. I find doing both gives her the confidence boost and brain stretching she needs. We just do 1 curriculum a day and alternate which we use. I'm glad we aren't the only math nerds!
I use Math U See and a Kumon supplemental multiplication and division book for extra review. I don’t want my daughter to forget long division or multi-digit multiplication. 🤷🏻♀️ We just do what we need to! We do use two reading curriculums and people ask frequently why we do both of those. 😂
We do two math curriculums. I don’t have an exceptionally mathematically minded child and I feel the two work together to help him understand. We do MWC 1 as our main curriculum. And we use Simply Charlotte Mason Elementary Arithmetic as our lunch “read aloud”.
Yes I use multiple curriculum with everything including maths. Because my kids understand any topics better if it explaned different ways. Also one love stories other love manipulatives. I use Math U see cubes and teachers guide Primary math book, Math with confidence and Good and the beautiful, Shiller maths games, and if we ever need more worksheets we have the Abeka arytmetic This all takes about 20-25 minutes per topic and than we watch Numberblocks relevant episode Also about 10-15 minutes thats 2 time a week Weekend we do kitchen maths. And On days when we have science it's most time involves some maths When we do gardening we do geometry Also we got Moving beyond the page math but we do that with the rest of their curriculum Once a week
My teenage daughter is going BA 4 alongside a different curriculum I’m not teaching her!!! I decided to add in a math curriculum for her as she’s struggling with Fractions and other grade 4 concepts!!! I look to see where my kids are!!! We love MWC and my teenagers have had no issues with it as we didn’t play shop but pretended to shop from a catalog!!! I choose BA as it’s more advanced but still at a lower level!!! I don’t time either but use common sense!!!
Please answer! Is it important to do the new common core math. I feel it’s ridiculous and pointless! I have two in homeschooling and do have second grader in public school he already struggling! Why make it harder?
It depends on what you mean by "common core math." "Common core" refers to a set of academic standards that determine what is taught in a particular grade level in public schools across the USA. I.e. Multiplication being typically taught in 3rd grade. Is it kind of silly to assume that every child will master multiplication in 3rd grade? Sure. Some could master it in preschool and others will struggle with it even through middle school. But I understand the idea behind attempting to bring consistency to the concepts taught in particular grades, although I am very grateful for the freedom of homeschool to teach a child what they need to learn vs. sticking to grade level standards. If by "common core" you mean mental math strategies--as in strategies that allow students to solve problems like 482+29 in their head without having to write the problem down, then I believe those are incredibly powerful and helpful strategies that are useful throughout all of life. The curricula I use--Math with Confidence and Beast Academy--are both very strong in teaching mental math problem solving strategies. However--for kids who struggle with math and who struggle with number sense, mental math strategies can be very challenging, and it can be easier to simply use procedural math (i.e. writing down 482+29 as a vertical addition problem in order to solve it). I wouldn't give up on mental math strategies solely because they are difficult, but with kids who seriously struggle with math, it can be necessary to simply focus on a more procedural approach. It's also true that not all instructors are equally effective in communicating mental math strategies in a simple and effective way. This is one of the reasons I have loved the Math With Confidence curriculum--the author truly did a good job with this and not overcomplicating it.
Every curriculum has its educational philosophy behind it. The approaches are so varied: spiral, mastery, math facts, visual representations, tactile manipulative, word problems, math narratives, enrichment, review, abstract and concrete. One school of thought is that one particular approach is superior and thus should be utilized exclusively. I prefer to identify what a curriculum provider does well and utilize it accordingly, pick and choose what Input out on the table. Very much a feast, as you described.
My own philosophy is one that sees great value in blending approaches--one of the reasons that I call myself an "eclectic" homeschooler vs. sticking strictly to one way. I think that many, many students benefit from the "blend" of approaches.
We use multiple resources for math as well. Sometimes it just helps keep them engaged by switching things up, or they may make the connection better with concepts being demonstrated in varying ways.
Thanks for this video! We have been using MWC. We’re on the first grade book now. I love how it lays out math concepts but I feel like my student needs to be challenged a bit more. We are first time homeschoolers and I never thought to use two curriculums at once for math. I will definitely look into adding another one!
We use MWC as our main curriculum, so I use it to teach a new concept. We try to do quick “night math” and some weekend math. For that we use primary mathematics 2022.
I’m needing exactly this video I’m currently using two and it feels kinda crazy haha
There are definitely some who think its crazy but there can be a lot of benefit!
@@SevenInAllI love your reasoning here! It made me feel quite justified in what I’m doing right now. I think I just need to find the right rhythm. I’ve done math with confidence for three years now, but wanted to shake things up and add in The Good And The Beautiful for some of that fun and joy in their math. I just thought my arty little girl with a big imagination would love it. She absolutely does but it does lack a lot of the incredible instruction I’m used to with MWC. So now I’m just kind of winging it, doing a week of MWC and then pausing to do what we can in TGATB. When we come to a new concept I see what Kate Snow has to say, teach from there first and then let TGATB instruct as well after. Like I said, once I figure out the best rhythm I think using two maths can be a great way to fit my child’s style and have her continue to love mathematics. Something I never got as a girl in US schools. I love math now, I wish I could have felt confident since I was young. It’s the gift I want to give my daughter 💗💗 thank you!
This is why we use different curricula for different subjects (at once), so we can adapt to differing needs and journeys. (“Kiddo can’t probably do this from X yet so let’s work up to it w/this from Y and do this extra thing from Z for kicks and giggles.”)
The concept of “Feast” defines it perfectly; brick-and-mortar schools rarely utilize different resources to help children so it’s up to us to provide a more enriching environment with several sources for them to learn something from.
Loved the "and do this extra thing from Z for kicks and giggles" exactly! I love that in homeschool we have this freedom to create a rich learning experience using multiple resources instead of sticking to one curriculum as a "box."
I use two because my child gets bored of going through the same things even though he needs a mastery approach to help him learn. It's kind of the compromise that we're "spiralling" between the two curriculums but still enabling him to master concepts in a linear way. I switch them week by week. 😅
Yes, we're currently using 3 different curricula. We're using Kate Snow's Math Facts That Stick books to solidify those math facts (that's our primary curriculum atm), we're using Mathematical reasoning as an easy review of things we've already learned, and we're using Beast Academy for the challenge. That's for my 8yo. My 4yo is doing Preschool Math at Home and Mathematical Reasoning.
I have heard great things about those Mathematical Reasoning books!
@@SevenInAll Both of my kids really like them!
We use 2 math curriculums as well. My reasoning is a little different. One curriculum is parent led, and the other is more independent. Having a new baby, sometimes I am not able to teach a math lesson, but I still want the kids to do math, so that's when I have them complete a lesson on their own. They both do Math with Confidence, which I teach. My older child does Teaching Textbooks independently, and my younger does Mathematical Reasoning from The Critial Thinking Company independently.
That's definitely ideal to have both options for parent-led and more independent!
After teaching in a private Montessori school I found a love for Montessori math which is basically math UC. Now that I'm homeschooling I utilize my certification skills from Montessori along with Horizons math program. After discovering so many gaps in my older child's math experience I decided to bring in teaching textbooks and have him basically repeat two grades below him at an accelerated Pace obviously. Most of the concepts he was familiar with but by doing that I was able to kind of bridge and close a lot of the gaps without me having to reteach every single concept from the ground up. My younger two have a solid math Foundation because of their experience in the Montessori School but I would like to find an online resource that can help with more critical thinking/problem solving and get the math facts down faster.
Beast Academy (which has an online element) is very strong with critical thinking & problem solving, but does not focus at all on facts. We have done good old-fashioned flashcard drills to gain speed at facts.
@SevenInAll I've had my eye on Beast Academy for a while I should honestly just check it out. I like having a different approach to learning(online) since we are a traditional approach only family.
My gifted 5 year old uses two math curriculum as well. I just don’t tell anyone, lol, as it is already hard enough to deal with people questioning why he is doing second grade math when he is only 5. It took a while for me to figure out what would work best for him, but so far, doing the two curriculum at the same time is what is working well for us. Nice to see we aren’t alone. It doesn’t take long at all. I would say about 30 minutes of math between the two math curriculum a day, so about 15 minutes each. We actually use a second grade math curriculum as his challenging book as that is where he is at academically and he enjoys it, otherwise he gets bored, but We also use a rigorous Kindergarten level math as well, because my son is still a little boy that at times likes the fun coloring activities and games that are in the little kid Kindergarten books, that his second grade math book doesn’t really include, because they assume 8 year olds are working on that book and no longer care for these things. We were able to find the perfect balance between him getting the challenge he wanted and needed with the 2nd grade math, but also the fun coloring activities and games in the Kindergarten math curriculum. Thank you so much for your UA-cam channel. It is always so nice to see videos from another homeschool mom who truly understands the unique schooling that gifted littles benefit from.
I love that you have found a great combo of resources for your son -- and yes, I can definitely relate to needing to find that unique combo. My 6 year old (1st grader) actually finished the 2nd grade book and started 3rd grade MWC this past week and in reality it's so "easy" for him...and looking at the scope and sequence...the majority of it is concepts he already knows...yet he still loves the games and loves working the pages, and it's good reading practice, so I still see a lot of value in it even if it's not challenging him--using BA adds the challenge. When they are so young but love math and grasp advanced concepts...it definitely creates a unique challenge for creating that math plan.
We’ve been using 2 (sometimes more than 2) math programs for 3 years already. Singapore Dimensions and Beast Academy. It’s been a life changer for my not-math inclined kid AND for my “quick-to-learn” kid. We do basic concepts with Dimensions and then polish everything up with BA.
That's wonderful that this has been such an effective strategy for you! And yes, in reality, I only really talk about 2 math programs...but if I 'counted' some of the other mathy things we do it's usually more than two. haha!
We use Life and Fred and TGTB math. On our “break weeks” we use an arithmetic primer and facts that stick books to reinforce some concepts or just to gain speed. My daughter loves math though and asks to do it basically every day.
We do LOF about once a week at this point as she is on book F and the concepts ballooned pretty quickly for a second grader so we will finish the elementary series and circle back to the beginning on that. I am not sure we will stick with TGTB as I am not sure it is explaining well enough for my children and we used math with confidence K and absolutely loved it (thinking switching back to this)
We are using Apologia mathematics and The Good and The Beautiful Simply Math together. The lessons in both are very short and my daughter really enjoys math so we do a lesson out of each on school days.
That's awesome that she enjoys math so much!
We also use MWC and BA for my 6 year old. She loves the games and colorful pages in MWC but also loves the more challenging puzzle problems in BA. I find doing both gives her the confidence boost and brain stretching she needs. We just do 1 curriculum a day and alternate which we use. I'm glad we aren't the only math nerds!
You are definitely not alone!
I use Math U See and a Kumon supplemental multiplication and division book for extra review. I don’t want my daughter to forget long division or multi-digit multiplication. 🤷🏻♀️ We just do what we need to!
We do use two reading curriculums and people ask frequently why we do both of those. 😂
I very much support not limiting ourselves to just one curriculum--sometimes the blend is exactly what's needed!
We do two math curriculums. I don’t have an exceptionally mathematically minded child and I feel the two work together to help him understand. We do MWC 1 as our main curriculum. And we use Simply Charlotte Mason Elementary Arithmetic as our lunch “read aloud”.
I also think that for more typical learners, having multiple math resources enriches the math experience!
thank you for this vid! im one of your subscribers who asked that question huhu sorry i am new in homeschooling world☺️
Ask away! I am very happy to be able to chat about the questions folks have.
Yes I use multiple curriculum with everything including maths. Because my kids understand any topics better if it explaned different ways. Also one love stories other love manipulatives. I use Math U see cubes and teachers guide Primary math book, Math with confidence and Good and the beautiful, Shiller maths games, and if we ever need more worksheets we have the Abeka arytmetic This all takes about 20-25 minutes per topic and than we watch Numberblocks relevant episode Also about 10-15 minutes thats 2 time a week Weekend we do kitchen maths. And On days when we have science it's most time involves some maths When we do gardening we do geometry Also we got Moving beyond the page math but we do that with the rest of their curriculum Once a week
My teenage daughter is going BA 4 alongside a different curriculum I’m not teaching her!!! I decided to add in a math curriculum for her as she’s struggling with Fractions and other grade 4 concepts!!! I look to see where my kids are!!! We love MWC and my teenagers have had no issues with it as we didn’t play shop but pretended to shop from a catalog!!! I choose BA as it’s more advanced but still at a lower level!!! I don’t time either but use common sense!!!
BA is a great option for diving into elementary math concepts but in a deeper and more challenging way.
Please answer! Is it important to do the new common core math. I feel it’s ridiculous and pointless! I have two in homeschooling and do have second grader in public school he already struggling! Why make it harder?
It depends on what you mean by "common core math."
"Common core" refers to a set of academic standards that determine what is taught in a particular grade level in public schools across the USA. I.e. Multiplication being typically taught in 3rd grade.
Is it kind of silly to assume that every child will master multiplication in 3rd grade? Sure. Some could master it in preschool and others will struggle with it even through middle school. But I understand the idea behind attempting to bring consistency to the concepts taught in particular grades, although I am very grateful for the freedom of homeschool to teach a child what they need to learn vs. sticking to grade level standards.
If by "common core" you mean mental math strategies--as in strategies that allow students to solve problems like 482+29 in their head without having to write the problem down, then I believe those are incredibly powerful and helpful strategies that are useful throughout all of life. The curricula I use--Math with Confidence and Beast Academy--are both very strong in teaching mental math problem solving strategies.
However--for kids who struggle with math and who struggle with number sense, mental math strategies can be very challenging, and it can be easier to simply use procedural math (i.e. writing down 482+29 as a vertical addition problem in order to solve it). I wouldn't give up on mental math strategies solely because they are difficult, but with kids who seriously struggle with math, it can be necessary to simply focus on a more procedural approach.
It's also true that not all instructors are equally effective in communicating mental math strategies in a simple and effective way. This is one of the reasons I have loved the Math With Confidence curriculum--the author truly did a good job with this and not overcomplicating it.