[tempus vernum]

Originally Posted by tigerlily

So did you just pick and choose from the suggested reading or did you just use more of the game books and things. Did you not read any of the historical figure books?

Also curious what level of TT you jumped into at 4th grade.

We read some of the historical figure books but I didn't want them to see math as something historical. Not sure if I am communicating this correctly. I like them knowing how things developed but not to emphasize the history. Unless they are history buffs. My kids are not history buffs - although they really enjoy our current curriculum.

I used Peggy Katz' games for math and we did numerous readers and some of the games ideas. Honestly, I chose first by subject and second by what my library had available. I wasn't super picky as long as I was introducing subjects.

We used beans and grains to group/sort and I made easy games for them to play and flashcards. I also used some montessori things.

I also used Ruth Beechik's 3R's as a guide to what to introduce when for K to 3rd. We also have board games to reinforce concepts learned from books or homemade games.

We start on Teaching Textbook 4. My dd1 started it halfway through 4th grade - we tried Math U See and it wasn't working for her. DS (who has learning issues) started 4th grade at the end of 3rd grade. He was ready - it's actually the only thing he's "on grade" for and I find that ironic as we are SO relaxed That said, he has significant working memory issues which means he's allowed to use manipulatives to "figure out". He is VERY kinesthetic so the games/books/activities were RIGHT up his alley.

From what I've read MOST kids are VERY kinesthetic IRT math until they are in 4th grade when logic begins to develop!

As you can see, we use a tremendously eclectic approach - living math is just one thing that we "inserted" into our life .

Just to add - to me living math is more of a lifestyle that picking up their curriculum. . . . not sure if I am explaining that correctly but it is an approach so I was startled to see lesson plans this a.m. when you pointed it out Their website has been integral in helping us having a learning rich environment IRT math. . .

EDITED TO ADD: Anno's books (Mutsumasa ANno) are SO SO fun. At our house they are fun for all ages http://livingmath.net/LearningIdeas/...S/Default.aspx