New Earlybird Kindergarten Math (2014 Edition)

Description

Offering parents an effective, easy-to-use alternative for teaching foundational math skills at home, New Earlybird Kindergarten Mathematics provides focused and systematic instruction of essential math concepts and reasoning skills. There are four Worktexts (consumable textbooks) to be completed for one year of study. Worktexts are colorful and offer brief introductory notes in the preface. Using the Concrete to Pictorial to Abstract teaching approach, concepts are introduced in a spiral progression that build upon previously mastered material. Structured activity pages provide review problems and suggestions for hands-on activities. Hands-on activities are encouraged and use a variety of familiar manipulatives or flashcards. While some items will need to be purchased, like the Attribute Blocks, Balance Scale, and Connecting Cubes, families may choose to make their own flashcards or manipulatives using household items. A separate manipulative kit is available for your convenience. You will need to provide a few items, for example balloons and balls.

Wondering how this edition differs from the Standards or Common Core editions of Earlybird Mathematics? It may be easier to focus on the similarities. All three editions provide focused, systematic instruction from math readiness skills through basic arithmetic skills. All three editions also include teaching instruction at the bottom of the text pages. If you compare New Earlybird Math's table of contents to the Earlybird Standards Edition, the chapters are identical, as are numerous textbook pages, which brings us to the differences. While many of the pages are identical, some contain different activities within the same targeted concept. New Earlybird Mathematics does not include answers, and there is no Teacher Guides, Activity Books or Math Readers. Families familiar with the Standards Edition Kindergarten Mathematics will notice that the New Earlybird Kindergarten series is divided into 4 books, rather than 2. These two Worktexts K1A-K2B follow the same scope and sequence and table of contents as the Standards Edition A and B Texts. Worktexts K1A and K1B provide one semester of instruction, and Worktexts K2A and K2B provide the second semester. There is a beauty in the four-book approach. First, younger students, who may be easily overwhelmed, will appreciate that 1 book is divided into 2, meaning fewer pages to overwhelm. Additionally, parents of preschoolers who feel their child is ready for systematic instruction can start slowly with just 1-2 worktexts. Finally, this is also a great option if you are unsure the Singapore philosophy is a good fit for your learner, as it provides an inexpensive way to try it out for a few weeks! Children completing the New Earlybird Kindergarten Mathematics may continue with any of the Singapore math programs for elementary and middle grades. Books are sold individually or in a cost saving set. ~Deanne

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Religious Content
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.