Obviously, school is on my mind these days.  I keep sharing websites for curriculum and books!  About a month ago, someone on a Charlotte Mason email list of mine told everyone about a math program from the United Kingdom that is free.  She used it with her children last year and really liked it.   At the time of that email, I was surfing online and had a $200 math program in a virtual shopping cart.   I decided to try the free math first.  :)  

The kids and I have already enjoyed this U.K. Program . The lessons are short and hands on, with household objects and flashcards and posters (you print those items out from the site).  The children only fill out a few problems on a worksheet -- just enough to let you know that they understand (and not enough to bore them).  And the teacher's plans are laid out very easily, so that I'm able to juggle two math levels without a problem. 

The first time I visited the site, I left almost right away.  It isn't the best laid out site in the world.  Here's my tip:  Scroll down to the year level that you'd like to try.  Click on Lessons 1-30 to see the children's worksheets; Click on Copymasters for 1-30 to see the flashcards that you can print out to  use; Click on Lesson Plans for 1-30 to see the teacher's lesson plans.

For a few of the later lessons, you need a password.  If you are not in the United Kingdom, this is easy.  Just email them and say that you are a homeschooler in the United States and would like to use their program, or use your school name if you've given one to your homeschool.  Many of us have received the password successfully (it may take a few days). 

I hope this helps someone out there who likes to - or needs to - save pennies on their homeschooling!

Oh -- about the pounds and pences -- if you use this math program,  your child will be learning the English metric system and their monetary system.  The monetary system is easily interchanged with ours, another hs mom told me.  As far as the metric system, since the rest of the world uses it, I am very glad to have the kids learn it as well.  They can learn inches and miles through every day life (and maybe a few "on purpose" discussions). 

Here's another link to the Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching program.

by Lori Seaborg 2006

Posted by Anonymous

Thanks!

Posted by JessieWalkingByFaith

I appreciate the information and links. Thank you for sharing! ((Hugs)) Jessie

Posted by fabk

Hi, I just saw your free homeschool yahoo group and joined. What a terrific idea! I've just started homeschooling, so I haven't anything to give away yet, but I will soon! I know I've been very blessed with gifts, so I want to give too.
I saw your blog too, and decided to start one of mine as well..altho I barely even know what a blog is :0) I ran in to trouble already and have an e-mail to tech support! I have two kiddos, a 6 yr old girl and a 12 yr old boy. They're both precious gifts from the Lord, and I need His wisdom in teaching them. Keep us in prayer. May God bless you and your family. Thanks for your list, links and help.

Posted by Anonymous

I have been searching and searching when I suddenly I find your site, it is truly a blessing from above. This is exactly what I have been seeking and praying for, my 13 year old son Luke will be so happy when he wakes up in the morning and I tell him. He has been just as frustrated as I over past programs I am a widowed mother low monies while every thing is sooo expensive. I count my pennies and my blessings my son is a blessing and while this has been frustrating, we have a great time learning at home where teaching should be and having fun with it. Again thank you so much for the information, a friend in Christ Lucinda, from Maine.

Posted by KeepingtheHome

Thank you so much for taking the time to write, Lucinda. I was so blessed by your words this morning. Please join my Yahoo group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreeHomeschool. You can select "No Mail," but I want you to join so you can access the wonderful Links list there, which contains so many free curriculum, free lessons, etc. sites and even some things that can be mailed to you! The links are specifically here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreeHomeschool/Links . Be sure to visit me at my new site: http://LoriSeaborg.com

Posted by Anonymous

i was searching for new ideas for our math curriculum this year and stumbled onto your blog about the UK math program - THANK YOU! i agree that the site isn't well laid out but it only took about an hour to download and save all the lessons for all the grades - i have three daughters i am homeschooling and that can get expensive - after trying to buy curriculum for the first two years i discovered over time that with a little extra work, i could find GREAT resources for free - math was the last hurdle for this year's curriculum but thanks to your blog i was able to cover that too! thanks again!

jenn

Posted by KeepingtheHome

Hi, Jenn....I can't email you back since your comment was anonymous, so hopefully you'll see this, or at least it will help someone else...

I have a new site called FreelyEducate.com, http://www.freelyeducate.com, where you can view this math program as well as many other educational freebies.