Teaching Math with Manipulatives
Math-U-See is our newest sponsor!
Little Miss just turned five, and I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to start kindergarten with her. Little girls are just a completely different beast than little boys- after her brothers, I am so excited to have a student who likes seat work, and can color within the lines and pay attention for a couple minutes. She’s so eager to please and eager to learn. I am sure this year is going to be an exciting and joyful one for the both of us!
I obsessed over choosing her homeschool curriculum- because she is so different from the boys, I really wanted to take the time to consider her learning style and find a program that would be a good fit for the both of us. I finally settled on Math-U-See for her math program and stopped by their booth at the homeschool convention to chat with them more about the program.
Little Miss and her new Primer book! I was stoked to learn that Math-U-See offers a military discount! I got the digital pack for the teachers materials since we’ll be moving very soon and I wasn’t going to have access to a DVD player. So far, I’m impressed with the online access!
I have used Math-U-See with my older kids, but never from the get-go with Primer. We’ve gone to Math-U-See when we needed it- I knew I could trust it to teach concepts that needed more practice. It was especially helpful with teaching math facts and helping the boys instantly recall their numbers.
Math-U-See is special because it takes complex concepts, and simplifies them with manipulatives that kids can see and touch. I really feel that Little Miss needs this- she’s a bright little girl, but memorizing isn’t her strong suit. She’s a toucher and a feeler and a mover and shaker. She needs to be able to dig into her lessons.
Our first lesson with Math-U-See was a total hit. We’ve just barely started the program- right now, she’s working on number recognition and is practicing counting from zero to nine. She’s exploring the manipulatives and getting a feel for the numbers.
Math-U-See manipulatives are neat because, on one side, the bars have squares to show individual ones that make up the whole- a nine bar has nine ones. The opposite side has nine hollow squares, which will come in handy when she starts learning subtraction.
For now, she’s counting with the ones squares. We’re practicing lining them up against the bars to see what two and three and four ones look like together. For the very first lesson, she practiced counting the pieces, and then selected the number from the number line. For a kiddo who hasn’t had any formal math instruction (other than kitchen table math, and singing and counting with me) she took to her workbook like a champ!
She’s also playing with the manipulatives, building shapes and exploring the pieces. Today, she built a frame around one of the hundreds blocks, and when it came time to place the last piece, she counted the missing squares and knew exactly which block she needed to fill the space. It was a small thing, but it was an indication to me that she is internalizing what the manipulatives stand for.
In Primer, she isn’t expected to master all the concepts. At this point, the idea is to expose her to the manipulatives and how math works. I’m excited to see her learn and grow with the program- and I am looking forward to sharing our experience with you! Manipulatives can be such a powerful thing, and I am looking forward to seeing how they work with a child who is brand new to the world of math!
Win Math-U-See for your homeschool!
Math-U-See is one of our newest sponsors, and I am *thrilled* to have them on board. To kick things off, they’ve offered one Math-U-See level to an OPC reader. You can enter the giveaway by using the widget below!
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I would choose either primer or alpha.
We need pre-algebra, thank you!
I think i would choose the primer for my sister and nephews!
I have teacher materials up to pre-algebra so I would choose algebra 1.
I think we’d like Gamma.
I’ve heard so many great things about Math U See.
I would either choose beta or algebra.
We’ve used Math-U-See from the very beginning starting with Primer. We would LOVE to continue using this curriculum this year. My daughter will need the Zeta curriculum package. Thank you.
It would be a blessing to win MUS set! We are interested in the Delta set or Beta set for this school year!
We would get some good use outta Epsilon and any of the Secondary Math. I’ve been watching friends who use this program. I am looking for a solid Math program that uses multi sensory learning.
My little girl is starting kindergarten and I would choose either primer or alpha. Thanks for introducing me to this great product!
Math-U-See Zeta is still on our purchase wish list for this year. It would be a blessing if we won it. Thank you for the opportunity to win it.
Alpha.
We could use Gamma
My oldest kids need to do Algebra this year.
Alyssa would use Zeta this year as her core Math curriculum. It would be a blessing to win this giveaway. I love that the curriculum uses the blocks and inserts to teach mathematical concepts. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I would get Algebra.
Is Primer mainly just counting or does it teach adding as well?
We would need Gamma
Gamma! Thanks for the opportunity 🙂
I would choose Algebra II.
Alpha or primer.
Gamma would work.
I would love Beta!
Primer would be the one I would like
Zeta is what i’d get
I SO wish we had started using MUS when my older daughter started school! For about four years we struggled through free and nearly free math curriculum because we thought MUS was too expensive. We paid dearly for the free stuff, though, in tears and frustration. She’s now working on Pre-Algebra, but I has taken quite a bit of teaching, admonishing, and discipling to help her overcome her math fear and loathing.
Primer would be great!
I would choose zeta
I will probably get the Delta level.
Primer please
I would choose Gamma. Thank you!
Gamma most likely
Gamma I think would be my choice.
We would love to Add
Alpha to our library!
Primer or Algebra… Hmmm…. 😉
Probably Primer.
Beta would be great! We plan on starting Alpha this year–it’s our first attempt at Math-U-See, and we’re excited!
I would love Delta!!
I would choose Pre-Calculus!
Alpha. I am about to start Primer with my kindergartener. Math is one of his strong suits so I know he’s going to blow through it!
Gamma would be very helpful in our homeschool!
I would get Geometry.
I would choose Gamma..because that is what we need this year.
gamma please
I would choose Primer–my oldest is just now beginning kindergarten and I’d love to use Math-U-See!!
Geometry.
I would use the Primer level.
I would choose Delta.
I would choose Zeta for my oldest who has used Math-U-See since Kindergarten. Love it!
I would choose the primer level.
I would choose Beta.
Thanks for the chance.
Either the Primer for my youngest, or I’d have my oldest test and get him the one he needed.
I’d choose primer.
Gamma
I would love to win a Grade 3 set.
I would love Primer for my youngest!
Thank you for offering a chance for someone to win a level of Math-U-SEE! I would love to win the Algebra level, this would be a blessing for our family!
We’ve used math u see since kindergarten! We’d love to win pre algebra!
I would love primer!!! My hands on little guy will love it! We just decided to homeschool after our doctor encouraged it due to my sons medical issues. We are starting from scratch and trying to get started soon! #1 on our wish list is math u see. 🙂
We searched for the right curriculum for my oldest for awhile until we found MUS. The other 2 are much different learners and they did well with MUS as well.
Alpha
I am so looking forward to homeschooling next year and starting to use our math u see curriculum. Still need to purchase a higher level for my oldest!
Primer
I have primer, beta, gamma, and delta, so I need alpha! We like Math-U-See. It’s easy to adapt for all of my kids and their different learning styles.
We love Math U See. My son is almost ready for Pre-Algebra! That is what I would choose.
Pre-Algebra for us, please.
We would choose Alpha. We just started using Primer and so far I am very happy with it. It’s easy to follow and the videos have been well received. I especially love the manipulatives. We will probably breeze through Primer so having Alpha ready to go would be awesome!
I have wanted this program for my daughter for years, but we are unable to afford it. She struggles in math, and is very hands-on. She is at 3rd grade math level.
I’d go with Primer for my youngest. I think this is the kind of instruction he needs.
All of them. Its hard to choose.
I would get gamma, because we’ve already used the primer, alpha and beta.
8/17 gamma
I would choose Beta
I think I would want Gamma.
I would definitely chose Math U See Zeta for this year’s Math curriculum. My daughter asked me to continue using it this year so that’s the plan.
I would love Gamma for my daughter who is struggling with Math recently, due to an autoimmune disease that was undiagnosed for a long time.. This would be so helpful!
Alpha! We have a struggling learner and lately I’ve received several recommendations for Math-U-See. This would be such a blessing! Thank you!
I would choose Alpha for my 6yo 🙂
I would choose the Primer level. Been interested in checking this out!
I would choose Geometry. 🙂
My middle son struggles with math, we have tried several other programs but its just not sticking. I’d love to win Zeta for him. Thank you for a wonderful program.
I would choose Epsilon 🙂
I would probably try Algebra 1
I would choose Delta. We have used Primer, Alpha, Beta and Gamma. We LOVE Math-U-See!!!
I would choose the Epsilon level of Math-U-See. I’ve heard very god things about this curriculum from various homeschooling families. Thank you for hosting this opportunity.
I would choose Algebra.
Would love Gamma!
We would love to try Delta. I have been looking at Math-U-See for awhile.
I would go with the primer universal set since we’d be starting out.
Love Math U See! Would love to receive the next in the set!
I would be getting Delta, as we have all the levels up through Gamma!
Thank you for your post and for offering the giveaway. We are going to start with math u see also. We are in preschool so the primer is what we will be beginning with too. I have heard so many wonderful things about math u see.
I would love to try the Primer level with my daughter.
My girls love hands on math! We would love to ad this to our homeschool box of tools!
Epsilon level!
I would pick Calculus. It’s the only set (other than Primer, which we don’t need) that we don’t have! Math U See is a great curriculum!
I would love to win a set!!
Would love to try Primer for a pre-k or alpha for a first grader
Most likely Primer… I need to double check where exactly my daughter is in relation to the books. 🙂 Thank you for the awesome giveaway!
I would love to try any of them I have 5 different grade levels
Beta
I would choose Alpha level. 🙂
Beta for my guy
I would love to try Alpha! I’ve heard great things about this program.
I would pick third.
Primer would be awesome!
This is exciting! Thank you for the opportunity.
We need Zeta — thanks!
We have Primer and need Alpha. All 3 of my littles love Math U See.
We would use Primer.
I would love to have Delta for my daughter. We’re almost finished with Gamma and running short on funds.
I’d choose gamma!
Gamma for me please.
My youngest is working on Primer, so I’d choose Alpha for him to move into next!
We’d love to win the 1st grade level!
I’d choose Epsilon. Thank you.
I think we have the first 4 – so whatever level is next.
Geometry! We love Math U See!
Looks great would love to win 3rd grade set
Delta
I am not sure really. Maybe 7th grade
Thanks for the opportunity. For the amazing Math U See entry.
maybe beta
I would choose the Pre Algebra level.
I’ve been praying over Alg for my linear daughter. She just wants to do the work, plug in the formula… No why knowledge. I want to offer (hand) her the Alg 1 level to force her out of her comfort zone to true understanding of algebraic thinking. I also need 3 more levels this year! Ahhh!
Gamma for sure! Thank you!
Awesome program! Would love to win a set! ?
I would love to try the 3rd grade level for my daughter!
I’m not sure what level my 7 year old would be in, but most likely Beta and Gamma
Beta!
I’d love it for 4th grade!!
We would choose Gamma.
Kindergarten or 1st grade ?
Zeta
I would choose Primer
I would so love to win the Delta for my son!
I have heard great things about this program. My 3rd grader could use delta.
I think we would go with gamma!
I would choose Alpha or Beta.
I would have to (a) do the pre-testing, and (b) decide which kid to give it to… decisions, decisions….
Alpha
My daughter has used Algebra 1 and Geometry already. She’ll be using Algebra 2 this year for her senior math! She loves it!
Math U See has been perfect for one of my kids—I would choose Zeta, because it’s the next level that I don’t own yet.
I would go with Primer!
I love Math U See and good luck to all
I would choose Gamma for my son 🙂
I think my daughter would be ready for Gamma.
Beta
Thanks for the chance to win
I would definitely start with the Primer set.
Gamma
We would choose Alpha. Thanks for this opportunity!
Either primer or alpha
I’d choose gamma!! Thanks!!!
Delta
Thank you for the chance to win!
I don’t know which level to choose. I have a student in Pre-Algebra who could use help.
Thanks for the chance to win!
I would love Beta since we’ve completed Primer and have purchased Alpha for this school year already. Love math-u-see!
I WOULD CHOOSE BETA FOR MY SON…
I would probably go with Pre-Algebra. So many kids, so many levels to need! 🙂
I would pick Primer or Alpha.
I’ve used Math-U-See with my daughter since she was a toddler beginning with Primer. I would absolutely LOVE to win this giveaway – it would be a blessing. We both want to continue using their curriculum. I haven’t ordered her next level yet. We need the Math-U-See Zeta set. Thank you for the opportunity to win it.
Primer or Alpha, I’m not sure which one would be the best fit for my son.
I would get Primer for my 5 year old 🙂
Gamma!!
I’m not sure what to choose: alpha, zeta, pre-algebra, or one of the other secondary maths. I have students at many levels.
Would love to try Math-U-See. We are looking for a new math program.
Delta
I would pick the Primer level for my daughter. This would be amazing for her because she is an Audible learner.
Delta!!
Gamma
GAMMA! 🙂
I would love to win the Math U See Delta Level for my oldest daughter.
Gamma