There are lots of sites on math curriculum such as Illuminations, the NCTM math site.  Each state has a page about math curriculum. It's interesting how many different ways that they have repackaging the same materials. For instance, many states repackage the strands in interesting ways.  What is the value in all this?

The simplest explanation about math strands is the T4L one. I quote about their math curriculum organization:

• Number Sense and Operations - Knowing how to represent numbers, recognizing 'how many' are in a group, and using numbers to compare and represent paves the way for grasping number theory, place value and the meaning of operations and how they relate to one another.
• Algebra - The ability to sort and order objects or numbers and recognizing and building on simple patterns are examples of ways children begin to experience algebra. This elementary math concept sets the groundwork for working with algebraic variables as a child's math experience grows.
• Geometry and Spatial Sense - Children build on their knowledge of basic shapes to identify more complex 2-D and 3-D shapes by drawing and sorting. They then learn to reason spatially, read maps, visualize objects in space, and use geometric modeling to solve problems. Eventually children will be able to use coordinate geometry to specify locations, give directions and describe spatial relationships.
• Measurement - Learning how to measure and compare involves concepts of length, weight, temperature, capacity and money. Telling the time and using money links to an understanding of the number system and represents an important life skill.
• Data Analysis and Probability - As children collect information about the world around them, they will find it useful to display and represent their knowledge. Using charts, tables, graphs will help them learn to share and organize data.

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Click for your free ebook, Getting Started on Homeschooling

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OK, this blog is supposed to me focusing on math K12 but I'm going to put one post into preschool math.  The Time4learning people have provided an integrated language arts and math program that I would like to review.  First, I'll admit I love their homeschool curriculum in general but their preschool program is different.

Their PreK online program is theme-based with some themes that are math-focused, others that include math. A few examples:

Shapes

Introductory Show: "I See Shapes". Child sees two scenes. In each scene, the narrator identifies several shapes. The third scene is an interactive classroom where the child is asked to identify objects by their shape.

Vocabulary: circle, diamond, rectangle, square, oval and triangle.

Shapes Puzzle: The child drags a jewel shape into its specially shaped opening. Reinforces shape recognition and shape vocabulary.

Patterns: Shows the child a pair of shapes that form a repeating pattern. A blank space is shown in the pattern, and the child must choose which shape best completes the pattern. The names of each of the shapes are said aloud when they appear onscreen and also when the cursor goes over each of them. Reinforces shape recognition and shape vocabulary.

Match the Shapes: Allows the child to match a common object to its shape. Reinforces vocabulary from this theme.

Numbers

Show: Introduces the numbers, in order, as various fish are added to the screen. It includes the numbers 1-10. An interactive activity allows the child to click on a particular fish labeled with a numeral graphic, to hear its number.

Memory Match: In this memory game, the child matches four pairs of cards, with numerals on them. When each card is turned, its number is said aloud by the audio.

Which is Which: This activity asks the child to click on the number said by the audio. This reinforces numeric recognition.

Match It: The child matches a numeral from 1-6 to its corresponding quantity of cars.

Tools  - Patterns: Shows the child a pattern using various tool pictures. A blank space is shown in the pattern, and the child must choose which picture best completes the pattern. The names of each of the tools are said aloud when they appear onscreen and also when the cursor goes over each of them. Reinforces tool recognition and tool vocabulary.

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There are oh so many types of curriculu. I've looked at more than I can remember or should have. Here's a few thoughts for those of you looking. BTW, I'm focusing on online homeschool curriculum.

1. Textbooks online with links to images and multimedia.  Blah, I prefer traditional textbooks>

2. Nifty lessons and activities. Fantastic stuff but you'll drive yourself crazy trying to collect and use all the different materials.

3. Intergrated online homeschool curriculum such as that by Time4Learning or Time4Writing's essay writing lessons.  Really great stuff, I'd go that way.  And I quote:

One of the challenges of homeschool education is selecting curriculum that meets the needs of each child. Many families find that what fits one child, may not fit another, or that what worked well one semester, may feel stale and stop working the next. Or in some cases, what works for one child in one subject, does not work for the same child in another subject. Well, nobody said it was going to be easy.

What most families discover is that their family's educational needs cannot be met by a single curriculum. And that blending several homeschool programs and approaches can increase effectiveness. This eclectic homeschool approach allows the optimal education for your child

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Second Grade Vocabulary - What is important? I'm just picking it as an example of what I'm thinking about going forward?

Second grade vocabulary is closely related to the reading program. Obviously, I want my kids to get the skills to handle vocabulary while they read. Handle means to make educated guesses about what words mean from context. The jargon is to use context clues.

I want them to start using word roots, suffixes, and prefixxes to guess at meaning. Specifically, a quadcycle should suggest, even to a second grader that:

- like bicycle or tricycle, it's a human propelled mode of transportation
- that it might have four wheels rather than a uni-, bi-, or tri- cycle.

When required, I think the kids should be able to use a dictionary, both the one on the shelf and the ones on the computer screen.

The vocabulary should be integrated with spelling lists, reading, handwriting (or keyboarding practice), and other studies (math, social studies, science) etc.   And it should be fun.  I saw this on the Time4Learning.com website.

Time4Learning’s second grade vocabulary lessons continue a pattern of vocabulary building by teaching about antonyms, synonyms, and homonyms. Additional second grade vocabulary exercises are presented within 22 thematic units covering insects, rain forests, maps and globes, fitness, and more. Science vocabulary is introduced in units on nutrition, heat, sound, and light. Second graders improve their reading comprehension by reading or listening to literature with an emphasis on vocabulary. Teacher’s lesson plans include vocabulary lists and optional printable vocabulary worksheets.

I saw some good vocabulary games organized by grade on the Vocabulary Learning Fun website, which is free! The SpellingCity.com website has amazing resources including literature-based vocabulary lists.  And the best word games for younger kids were either on SpellingCity.com (the best) or the LearningGamesforKids.com website.

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I'm sure most kids who were headed towards summer school initially rejoiced at this news. But, unlike a snow day, this isn't just a fun interruption, it's a major loss for many students who needed some remedial help.  This is especially true in math.

Fortunately, there are many opportunities for families to try "homeschooling" for the summer.  Which they will find does not necessarily mean that mom sits at the table teaching. There are many fine online resources available.  For instance:

Time4Learning.com, a Homeschool.com top-rated online education software company, offers California parents an online alternative to cancelled summer school classes caused by the State budget deficit. Time4Learning.com provides award-winning, online Pre School to 12th grade education curriculum.

They provide online summer learning opportunities for automated education plus teacher led online writing courses.

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