To Joan V re: math

EPS (www.epsbooks.com) publishes the “It’s Elementary!” series written by M.J. Owen. It dovetails nicely with the principles of V&V while still giving a concrete system for recognizing and working through word problem patterns which is why I like to use it.

As far as Montessori materials, there’s a wealth of them and I use them all. The ones that I ALWAYS use involve place value. There’s a Place Value Chart that I find invaluable. I also always use what’s called the “Golden Bead Material”. The work centers on the numeric values of unit, ten, hundred, thousand with manipulatives for each as well as cards depicting their numeric value.

I also always use a Stamp Game. This is a box containing wooden or plastic squares that are all the same size. They are color coordinated, with green unit squares (called stamps), blue 10 squares, red 100 squares, and green (units of thousands) 1000 squares. I can teach all four operations using the stamp game.

There’s also a Bead Frame (a kind of abacus), which is basically a slightly more abstract version of the stamp game. Here the colors are still coordinated but they’re not marked with their numeric value. It’s faster and easier to use the bead frame than the stamp game because one doesn’t have to manipulate all those little square tiles.

I sometimes use the Checkerboard for remediating multiplication and the Division Test Tubes for division. I adore both of these materials. They REALLY clearly break down the process of each operation visually.

Finally, with fourth and fifth graders, I sometimes use the Decimal Fraction Box which can be used for all operations involving decimals.

But if I had only a little money and had to choose which ones I couldn’t live without? The Place Value Chart and Stamp Game.

Joan, as always, you are a wealth of information! I have saved and printed these suggestions as I know I’ll be needing them. I feel like I’ve learned so much about reading but am lacking in math. I love many EPS materials, but I suppose I had never looked at the math.

Thanks so much and have a wonderful and restful holiday!

Janis

Joan,

One more question. Have you found a good source for buying Montessori materials? I know some are very expensive.

Janis