Canadian History Plan

Please see the new version
This version has been kept for those that would prefer to use it.


It has taken quite a while, but I have a basic plan for Canadian History for the first few years of homeschool

Year 1 - A Pioneer Story by Barbara Greenwood. (also called A Pioneer Sampler???)

Although not in a chronological order, this is a nice gentle book to ease the student into thinking about the past, without worrying about any real historical details.

Also

A Child's History of the Life of Christopher Columbus by Josephine Pollard

Year 2

- Great Canadian Lives: Portraits in Heroism to 1867
Available online here - not sure how with copyright

Basically covering from before 1600 to 1713 (A New Found Land, Settling the Land, and about 1/2 of The Great Days of New France)
(stop at "The Colony at Peace" - this gives about 60 portraits to do over the 36 weeks of school)

- My First History of Canada - by Donalda Dickie & Rudiger Krause First 9 Chapters. (Same time period as above)



Year 3 - continuing in Great Canadian Lives and My First History of Canada

Basically covering from 1713 to 1830 (1/2 of The Great Days of New France, After the Conquest, 1/2 of Danger on All Sides)
(start at "The Colony at Peace" and stop at "Building the Future" - this gives about 60 portraits to do over the 36 weeks of school)

Ch 10-13 of My First History

Year 4 - continuing in Great Canadian Lives and My First History of Canada

Basically covering from about 1830 to 1867 (1/2 of Danger on All Sides, From Sea to Sea)
(start at "Building the Future" and go to the end of the book - this gives about 60 portraits to do over the 36 weeks of school)

Ch 14-15 of My First History

Additional Reading:

The Last Safe House: A story of the Underground Railroad - Barbara Greenwood - add during the North to Freedom section.

Year 5 - My First History of Canada - other resources unknown at this point

Ch 16-19 + about 1/2 of 20

Covering from 1867 to about 1939.
Topics include, but not limited to:

RCMP

Gold Rush
WWI

Halifax Explosion

Famous 5 (women's rights)

Depression

Additional Reading:
Gold Rush Fever: a story of the Klondike, 1898 - Barbara Greenwood
Factory Girl - Barbara Greenwood

Year 6 - My First History of Canada - other resources unknown at this point

2nd half of Chapter 20, chapter 21

Covering from 1939 to present
Topics include, but not limited to:

WWII
Japanese Internment
Gov't help - UI, CPP, Family Allowance, Medicare
FLQ Crisis
Quebec Nationalism / Referendums
Canada Act

NOTE

Great Canadian Lives is unfortunately out of print, and can be expensive. Because it is used for 3 years, it may be worthwhile to purchase, especially if you have multiple children that will be using it. I will be using the library until I can find an inexpensive copy (our library has several copies). Update - there is a copy online here but as copyright is still in effect, not sure how they have it there....

However, if you can not find this resource in a manner that fits your budget, please feel free to replace it with seperate biographies of a few people within the various periods of history! (If you have any recommendations, please share!)

Question for you!

I was wondering if people wanted me to change the schedules for Year 1 for the new changes, and make schedules for Year 2 and the 2nd Rotations?

I know that schedules can be helpful, but I have to admit that I am not keeping to a schedule like I did at the start.... I found that I was "behind" in some areas, "ahead" in a few, and that it just made things more difficult.

I have been using the Organizer at Simply Charlotte Mason, and just review where we are about every 6 weeks to decide if I need to do some subjects more often, or make other changes.

However, making a schedule wouldn't be a big deal either, if it would help someone.

If I don't make up the schedules, I would setup some notes for each subject on what chapters to cover (if not all of a book), and about how much would need to be done each week.

What would help other people???

Year 2 Modifications

This is the Modifications for the Year 2 booklist, for children that did the older version of the Year 1 booklist.

Science/Nature
(modified because the student read Burgess Bird Book in year 1, and didn't read the Christian Nature Reader Book 1)

* Handbook of Nature Study - Anna Botsford Comstock - used for several years. 1911 version available here
* Wild Days - Karen Radcliffe
* Pocket Full of Pinecones - Karen Andereola

(1) Christian Nature Reader Book 1 by Julia Write
(2) Christian Nature Reader Book 2 by Julia Write
(3) Christian Nature Reader Book 3 by Julia Write
(tbd) Pagoo - Holling C. Holling

Family Science Rotation

Literature

remove Charlotte's Web, replace with The Boxcar Children

Canadian History

add in
A Child's History of the Life of Christopher Columbus by Josephine Pollard
if you can.

Year 0 Philosophy

Here is my Year 0 philosophy - written in words so much better than I could ever have written (and believe me, I have tried!)

Are Speed and Ease Our Only Goals

Year 2 Booklist

[updated 25 July 2010]

This is the Year 2 booklist for Maple Hill Academy. Thanks to all the sites and curriculums that I have used as a base to form this list!

Term numbers will be denoted by the number before the title as such: (1) Bookname. If there are no term numbers, the book is used for the entire term. (or has not been determined)
* denotes the book/resource is for the parent (at least mostly)

(note - links need to be checked...)
Devotional
Family Rotation using Penny Gardner Storied Scriptures
Scripture Memorizations
Optional:
Reading from Church Magazines
Singing Primary Song (Select 1 per month. Can also sing in Foreign Language or ASL)

Math
Mathmatics Enhancement Programme - Year 2 (or appropriate level for your child)

Reading Instruction (as needed)
see Year 1 list, and how to articles

If your child does not yet read fluently, be patient. Read books aloud as needed, and do buddy reading (where you each take a turn).


Science/Nature

* Handbook of Nature Study - Anna Botsford Comstock - used for several years. 1911 version available here
* Wild Days - Karen Radcliffe
* Pocket Full of Pinecones - Karen Andereola

(1,2) Burgess Bird Book for Children (download available...)
extra resource - http://satorismiles.com/2010/03/08/burgess-bird-book-companion/#1
(3) Pagoo - Holling C. Holling
Christian Nature Reader Books 2 & 3 by Julia Write
Family Science Rotation

History - Family
Learn about Grandparents, events they remember, places they lived, etc.
(if a Grandparent is not available due to death or other reason, the parent should share any rememberances, pictures, etc)

History - Canada
Great Canadian LIves: Portraits in Heroism to 1867 (Chapters 1-3) - Karen Ford, Janet MacLean, Barry Wansbrough
(stop at "The Colony at Peace" - this gives about 60 portraits to do over the 36 weeks of school)

My First History of Canada - By Donalda Dickie & Rudiger Krause (Chapters 1-9)
(Note, read the 2 history books together, so you are covering the same time periods together)...


History - World
(1) Thirty More Famous Stories Retold - James Baldwin (available as download)
(2,3) Fifty Famous People - James Baldwin
Family World History Rotation

Geography
General Map Reading skills using map of our city (if child hasn't done it yet)
(1,2)Tree in the Trail - Holling C. Holling
(2,3)Seabird - Holling C. Holling
Locate History and (if appropriate) Literature locations on Map
Family Geography Rotation


Writing/Copywork
Cursive First or similar program if child hasn't learned cursive

Simple Copywork - select short passages from current literature books or scriptures. At least a few should be chosen by the student.


Poetry
(Read one poem a day - memorize 1 each term)

Note that these choices are also used in Year 1. Pick poems that were missed the first time, or favourites - or see alternative option below, or select your own choice of poems.

(1) A children's Garden of Verses - by Robert Louis Stevenson
(2) Now We are Six - A.A. Milne
(2) When we were very young - A.A. Milne
(3) Oxford Book of Children's Verse [if Available - very expensive] or other poem book

OR

To Be Determined

Read Aloud Literature
Pilgrim's Progress: Book 1, Christian's Journey (audio book available)
Any books under Literature that the student will not be able to read on their own

Literature
(Suggested to be read by student alone and narrated)
Beginning or Slower readers, choose fewer of selections and read less per day - do the others as read-alouds. Buddy Reading is also a possibility (where you take turns reading)

(1) Understood Betsy - Dorothy Canfield Fisher (download available)
(1) Five Little Peppers and How They Grew - Margaret Sidney (download available)
(1) Charlotte's Web - E. B. White
(2) The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame (download available)
(2) A Bear Called Paddington - Michael Bond
(2) The Story of Doctor Doolittle - Hugh Lofting (download available)
(3) Stewart Little - E. B. White
(3) Levi's Life - Kathryn Louis
(3) Just David OR Pollyanna - Eleanor Porter (download available)

Canadian Literature
Canadian Wonder Tales - Macmilliam

Additional Literature
(No narrations are required - can be family reads, or read during spare time.)

Pied Piper of Hamlin - Robert Browning (download available)
Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales (download available)
Farmer Boy - Laura Ingalls Wilder
Homer Price - Robert McCloskey
Sarah Plain and Tall - Patricia MacLachlan
Skylark - Patricia MacLachlan
Little House on the Prairie - Laura Ingalls Wilder

Shakespeare
Family Rotation
(using Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare - Edith Nesbit)

Sketching/Painting

To Be Determined

Basic Observation Drawing - some resources

Picture Study
some info
Family Rotation

Handicrafts
will vary due to interest... suggestions (for both boys and girls)

Any from Year 1 (continue any that interest the student!)
Baking
Sew on Buttons, Simple Hemming
Origami
Simple Needlework
Woodworking (free days at many renovation stores)

Music
(read how-to) [note this How-to is on Milestones Academy]
Recommended - Violin, Piano OR Recorder (inexpensive) OR other similar instruments

Violin
Suzuki Violin [we do this with an instructor ]

Piano
Suzuki Piano - taught by parent (combined with the following)
continue My First Piano Adventures, or if finished, move to Piano Adventures, appropriate level

if just starting Piano
use Primer Level of Piano Adventures (Note, you will need the 4 main books!) Use the Online Teacher's Guide!

Recorder
option for a very inexpensive music alternative, or for the parent that is too uncomfortable trying to teach something like Piano keeping just a few lessons ahead...

Nine-Note Recorder method [note, we haven't tried this yet]
You can do the "Beyond Nine-Note" book too if you get to this point.

Other
Similar instruction in another instrument. (ie, Suzuki Cello)

Foreign Language - German (make similar choices for your language)
If just starting, see Year 1...
(why German)

First Step auf Deutsch (Note, this is available in French and Spanish too) - continue where you left off, or review
Find 3 German story books with Audio Tapes
Transcribe Sentences from the German books
Translate small passages into English orally
Find more German songs online
Optional: Practice Primary song of the month in German

Citizenship
Polite Moments - Gary Maldaner (selected sections)

Scouting
(extra badges may be worked on as desired)

complete any badges not finished in Year 1
Otters - Green Paw (Nature) -note, plant your tree right away if you didn't in year 1!
Otters - Service Badge
Otters - Swimming Otter Badge (kind of a graduation badge)

Blogger Annoyance

On some of my posts, in compose mode, I have indicated a new paragraph, but when posted, it isn't putting the spaces in for the paragraph. I don't know how to fix this (I have even tried to fix the HTML....)

There are similar problems with the font. Occasionally something will be in a different font size from what I see.

I'm sorry if this is distracting!

Reading Instruction

You may want to start by reading my thoughts on Reading Instruction.

Reading Instruction before Year 1 should be very gentle, and should not intrude on outdoor time and free play. It should only be done when the student is in a good mood and wants to play the reading games involved. Lessons should be very short, and stopped BEFORE the child wants to stop. And they are optional.

Year 0

Use lessons from "Teach your Baby to Read". If your child is at least 2 years old, you can also use lessons from "Teach your Child to Read in 10 minutes a day". I recommend using both by that point.

Year K/1

Combine Phonics Instruction with Sight Reading. Charlotte Mason had reading instruction by doing some phonics work one day, and the other day working on sight reading with words chosen from a specific story. The words should be interesting to the child, and with different lengths and shapes. After the words are known out of order - the child would read a page or stanza of the story.

I recommend using flashcards in the style of "Teach your Baby to Read", and phonics instruction from "Teach your Child to Read in 10 minutes a day". Create books for your child that are specific to them - probably featuring them. As an alternative for phonics instruction, this site has a free resource.

You can also start with the Dick and Jane Primers and Readers. The Primers have been reprinted in a treasury. The Readers are only available if you happen to find a used copy. If you can't find them, move to the Treadwell/Free readers.

In Year 1, starting around term 2 or 3, if your child is ready they can start to read 1 book from the readings. (I have suggested books in the Year 1 information.)

Good Readers for more practice

Bob's Books
Little Bear series
Frog and Toad series
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka series
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr series
Billy and Blaze series

Later Years

If your child is not reading fluently yet, don't panic. Don't let your student know that they are not doing as well as you would like - you don't want them to get discouraged. Continue work with the resources I've mentioned in the earlier years at your childs speed. Do "Buddy Reading" - where you read one page, paragraph, or even sentence, and then the student reads one. Use quality audio recordings of some of the readings, with the student following along in their book.

Resources

Treadwell/Free Primer

Treadwell/Free 1st Reader

A Free Phonics program

Power Flash Card - computer program

Not Free

"Teach your Child to Read in 10 minutes a Day" - Sidney Ledson

"Teach your Baby to Read" - Glenn Doman

Year 1 Booklist - Revised

Out of Date, but kept for people that would prefer to use the old plan. New plan here

This is the revised Year 1 booklist for Maple Hill Academy. The older booklist is still available.

Term numbers will be denoted by the number before the title as such: (1) Bookname. If there are no term numbers, the book is used for the entire term. (or has not been determined)

* denotes the book/resource is for the parent (at least mostly)

(note - links need to be checked...)

Devotional
Family Rotation using Penny Gardner Storied Scriptures

Scripture Memorizations

Optional:

Reading from Church Magazines

Singing Primary Song (Select 1 per month. Can also sing in Foreign Language or ASL)

Math
Mathmatics Enhancement Programme - Year 1
Reading Instruction (as needed)
*Teach your child to read in Just 10 minutes a day - Sidney Ledson. (or other phonics)
Dick and Jane Primers/Readers

or

(1)Primer - Harriette Taylor Treadwell
(1)First Reader - Harriette Taylor Treadwell

Science/Nature
* Handbook of Nature Study - Anna Botsford Comstock - used for several years. 1911 version available here
* Wild Days - Karen Radcliffe
* Pocket Full of Pinecones - Karen Andereola
(1) Peter Cottontail by Thornton Burgess (download available...)

(2) Reddy Fox by Thornton Burgess (download available...)

(3) Christian Nature Reader Book by Julia Write

James Herriot's Treasury for Children - James Herriot (delightful as an audiobook!)

Family Science Rotation

History - Family
Learn about Mom and Dad, events they remember, places they lived, etc.

History - Canada
A Pioneer Story - Barbara Greenwood

A Child's History of the Life of Christopher Columbus by Josephine Pollard

History - World
(1,2) 50 Famous Stories Retold - James Baldwin (selected chapters)
(2,3) Viking Tales - Jeannie Hall - Part 1, chapters 1-11
Family World History Rotation

Geography
General Map Reading skills using map of the city
(1)Childcraft, "World and Space" - chapter "Where in the World?" (if available to you.) - or find some basic map reading information.
(1) Overview of 7 continents and the Oceans
(1,2,3) Paddle to the Sea - Holling (Start after the Childcraft Reading)

Writing/Copywork
(1,2) Cursive First
(3)Simple Copywork

Poetry
(Read one poem a day - memorize 1 each term)
(1) A children's Garden of Verses - by Robert Louis Stevenson
(2) Now We are Six - A.A. Milne
(2) When we were very young - A.A. Milne
(3) Oxford Book of Children's Verse [if Available - very expensive] or other poem book

Read Aloud Literature
Aesop for Children - Milo Winter (selected stories)
Just So Stories - Rudyard Kipling
The Blue Fairy Book - Andrew Lang (selected stories)

Literature
(Suggested to be read by student alone and narrated - however if student is not ready, you may do joint reading, or just read to them.)

(1) Boxcar Children - by Gertrude Warner
(2) Follow My Leader - James Garfield
(3) Pinocchio - Carlo Collodi [might go over into your break between years....]

Canadian Literature

(1)Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt - Barbara Smucker

(2)A Fiddle for Angus - Budge Wilson

Additional Literature
(No narrations are required - can be family reads, or read during spare time.)
King of the Golden River - John Ruskin
The Red Fairy Book - Andrew Lang (Select stories - select number based on child's enjoyment)
The Velveteen Rabbit - Margery Williams
Little House in the Big Woods - Laura Ingalls Wilder
St. George and the Dragon - Margaret Hodges
The Cricket in Times Square - George Selden and Garth Williams
(others to be added)

Shakespeare
Family Rotation
(using Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare - Edith Nesbit)

Sketching/Painting
Draw Write Now 4-8 (or 1-4 if you haven't done them)

OR

1-2-3 Draw books by Freddie Levin - pick 3 or 4,

OR

Drawing with Children

OR

Basic Observation Drawing - some resources

Picture Study
some info
Family Rotation

Handicrafts
will vary due to interest... suggestions (for both boys and girls)
Plastic Canvas
Spool Knitting
Bead Buddies
Rug Hooking
Woodworking (free days at many renovation stores)

Music
(read how-to) [note this How-to is on Milestones Academy]

Recommended - Violin, Piano OR Recorder (inexpensive) OR other similar instruments

Violin
Suzuki Violin [we do this with an instructor ]

Piano
My First Piano Adventures - taught by parent - Information and Video Lesson Guide here!
Suzuki Piano - taught by parent (combined with My First Piano Adventures)

Recorder
option for a very inexpensive music alternative, or for the parent that is too uncomfortable trying to teach something like Piano keeping just a few lessons ahead...

Nine-Note Recorder method [note, we haven't tried this yet]

Other

Similar instruction in another instrument. (ie, Suzuki Cello)

Foreign Language - German (make similar choices for your language)
(why German)

First Step auf Deutsch (Note, this is available in French and Spanish too)

Teach Me German 1 & 2 (Teach Me Tapes Inc) (I believe available in French and Spanish)

Find 3 German books with Audio Tapes

Optional: Practice Primary song of the month in German

(3)My Very First Little German Book
Alternate choices - French, Spanish, or other desired.

Citizenship
Polite Moments - Gary Maldaner (Last section of book)

Scouting
(extra badges may be worked on as desired)
Otters - Blue Paw (Activity)
Otters - Red Paw (Helping)
Otters - Tan Paw (Handicraft)
Otters - Safety Badge
(note - your Otter should plant a tree and look after it this year for the Green Paw)

Foreign Language Resource

Ok, it took me a few days to realize who I need to thank for this resource. You see, I was reading my emails, message boards, and blogs that I frequent - and at some point clicked on a link to open in another tab to look at. It was a link for a free French program. I figured that again I'd be out of luck.... because we want to do German. Once I was done, I found the open site, and had a look, and I'm jumping for joy!

So, I have to say thanks Jeanne on http://ohpeacefulday.blogspot.com/ - because I finally found where I got the link!

Anyway, what is this great resource!

"First Steps auf Deutsch". It exists for French and for Spanish too. This is a video program that was designed for a school system to teach Foreign Language to young elementary students where the school might not have a teacher that knows the language. Hey, sounds a lot like me!!!

The video lessons are short - about 15 minutes. There are 10 of them for the first level, and there are 3 levels. For schools that don't have a teacher that knows the language, for the first level at least, there is an "Again" video (ie, First Steps auf Deutsch Again) to watch on another day. Apparently there are audiotapes available somewhere, but darned if I know where, and you would probably have to buy them.... it would have some practice and the songs on it...) There is a teacher's guide (read it!) with suggested activities

So, Delta and Echo have watched the first video (well, Echo only watched some) and they are going around saying "Guten Tag" and "Danke", etc. Delta loved it! I don't think he was as keen on the "Again" video (we watched a couple of minutes) but it is probalby worth while doing.

The videos (at least the German one) are setup with a couple of families meeting a new neighbour from Germany. The kids are interested in learning German, so arrangements are made for 3 to visit the new neighbour for lessons. The lessons are done in an immersion format, with it almost all in German - but it is easy to follow what is going on. Near the end, there are a couple of songs (at least in the first video), and a bit of review of a few main words - and we see some school kids practicing the words in context...

With the short lesson, and the emphasis on learning verbally instead of written, I think it would fit well with CM.

Definately more interesting than anything we have tried so far. It is FREE, and it is designed for kids that are young... yet useful for older kids too.

THANKS!

Checking Resource

This is more a note for me....

http://www.donpotter.net/ed.htm

Checking reading resource... http://www.donpotter.net/PDF/Word%20Mastery%20-%20Typed.pdf

Looks at first glance like a good, free, phonics program. Will let you know.

other

http://www.donpotter.net/PDF/Reading%20Made%20Easy%20with%20Blend%20Phonics%20justified.pdf

Workboxes - Updated

[Note, this picture is NOT our workbox.... I'm not sure whose it is..]

So, before we started school in September, I setup Homeschool Workboxes for us. It was a slight modification to the system, but for the most part, it was working ok.

However, it took up a LOT of my needed shelf-space, and for other reasons, we aren't able to use the homeschool room for a number of months, so I needed something a lot more portable.

So, having seen other people's variations, I tried out a different variation for the family..... portable file boxes. I got Delta (and after a while Echo) a portable filebox, with hanging file folders. The fileboxes have handles on them, so they can be moved easily.

Now, I put each "workbox" item into a file folder, and put them all in the box in the order we are going to do it. I added the schedule grids onto the outside of the box, and put file numbers and activity cards on that for them to remove. (Note, I've noticed they often didn't remove them, so for about a week I haven't bothered putting the numbers on - no complaints.... hm....) Their name is on the front of the box. They each have a pencil case on the inside of the box with their pencils and other items. Unfortunately, things don't fit into a file folder a little more often than they wouldn't fit into a box - so they get more notes of things to do..... but it still isn't that often.

The one thing that doesn't really fit is some of the math manipulatives.... I am using one of the old workboxes to hold those. Although I can usually tuck them into the filebox when needed.

I actually think I like this system better.... we have been using it for about 3 months now. Shortly after starting this system, I had to take the car in unexpectedly to get looked at. I had them grab their boxes, and we did homeschool with no problem in the waiting area. This stopped them from getting bored - and it took me no time to get stuff together, as it was already in a portable container. On a day that we probably would have missed out on school.... Homeschool was saved! The other thing I like is that we are now doing most of our homeschool on our couch.... much more comfortable.

Is MEP Math CM? - Also, Kindergarten Math

On some of my Charlotte Mason message boards, whenever the MEP math program is mentioned, there are always some posts saying the MEP (Mathematics Enhancement Program) is not in the CM style of doing math. The main criticism seems to be that it is not a Mastery program.

So - is the MEP math program consistant with a Charlotte Mason education?

First it should be noted that Charlotte Mason did not put a great emphasis on math. She agreed that it was necessary and useful, but should not have a great importance put on it. Of course, a lot has changed in the last 100+ years, I think Science and Math has a greater importance than it did in the late 1800's!

So, what were Charlotte Mason's recommendations? Here is my understanding (at least for the early years).

1. Short Lessons (with attention)


2. No cramming (slow progress with math rules)


3. Teach concrete before abstract (ie, use manipulatives, or real life)


4. allow counters as much as they want


5. make a multiplication table before using one


6. use actual items (use money to learn money. Weigh and measure to learn weights and measurements)


7. put concepts on the board (or paper) to allow visual memory. (ie, write 2x4=8 instead of just reciting it)


8. Master a concept before proceeding. (I haven't found where this is said - but it seems to be mentioned on the message boards...)

So - how does MEP fit?

1. Short lessons. Although MEP (in Year 1) is designed for a 45 minute classroom class, I find that doing it 1 on 1 with my son takes us about 15 to 30 minutes... usually about 20. On top of it, each lesson is broken down into 4 to 8 different activities (including a streach and sing counting songs in the middle), each of which is different enough to keep my son's attention. On the occasional day that he has had enough before the whole lesson is done? Well, we just leave the rest for the next day. (That has happened maybe 3 times this year...)


2. No cramming - With MEP, you don't need to recite math facts - at least we haven't had any need. So far the facts have been being learned slowly, with the introduction of each number. Delta has learned many, and uses manipulatives as needed still. There certainly are not pages of "sums" to do...


3. Teach concrete before abstract - I think MEP does this well, using pictures, word problems, counters, dominoes, and other manipulatives you might have to help understand what you are doing before doing it straight with the numbers. (Note that you don't HAVE to buy expensive manipulatives. A set of dominoes is nice, although there is often a picture of dominoes when used.... and you can use anything for counters.


4. Allow counters when needed. - MEP has so far emphasised (even in the test) to allow counters.


5. Make a multiplication table before using one. - Well, we aren't that far in MEP yet, so not sure if it would do that - but if it doesn't specifically have you do that, before working with multiplication - take a week or so to make one! (ie, use several counters to figure out the various problems, then write the answer on the table.


6. Use actual items (money, measurements, etc.) Well, so far the money problems we have done in MEP have involved pense - we use pennies. We aren't up to doing measurements yet either - but I know that soon we will be measuring length - doing actual measuring.


7. Put concepts on the board for visual memory - MEP often tells you to write on the board the equation after discussing a word problem or other puzzle.


8. Mastery - talked about below.

Well, I guess MEP is a spiral program. I know that I read a post somewhere about how it isn't the same as most spiral programs, but is different. Unfortunately, I can not find that post as I would have liked to reference it.

That said, MEP is fairly spiral, in that not every student in a class is expected to understand every principle before the class moves on. It does Addition and Subtraction at the same time (and later Multiplication and Division at the same time), instead of focusing on Addition until it is totally mastered before starting subtraction. And it will throw in an advanced concept at times, just to give the student an idea of the existance (ie, negative numbers) then leaves it later.

I don't know - all that makes sense to me. And it seems to me that MEP does have the student work at basic concepts until they are likely mastered. For instance, a number is introduced (say the number 5) at the beginning of year 1. They learn different ways it can be represented (sticks, tally marks, roman numerals, and of course a 5) They practice writing a 5. They do basic addition and subtraction problems using pictures that use the number 5. There are problems that include up to number 5, as well as review numbers 1-4. There are word problems that work with number 5 (or others done), logic puzzles. This goes on for about a week or so, with a few other things thrown in for variety - then they move to the number 6. I don't feel that there is a lot of jumping around, even though there is variety, and cool concepts.

So, to me, MEP seems like a mixture of Mastery and Spiral - somewhere in between.

In any case. I feel that MEP follows CM recomendations in SO many ways. Add in that it is FREE (except your paper and ink), and that most kids seem to love it - it seems like a great choice to me.

RECEPTION

Oh - and the Reception (Kindergarten) Year lessons have been being added to the website. As Echo was always wanting to do math with Delta, we started her on the lessons. They are very similar, but move slower than the Year 1 book - and is dealing with the concepts through pictures. They are not using the actual abstract numbers - like 1, 2, 3.

So, for instance, there will be a picture (usually of a family - used throughout) that the child will describe. They will count various things in the picture, and do basic math in a real-life situation. For instance, there will be a picture of the family setting up for a birthday party - and you have your child count the plates (5) and the cups (3) - and you ask how many more cups they need to get out so there will be enough. The numbers have been slowly increasing... we are working with the number 6 right now.

Concepts we have seen so far (we are on lesson 23) include more/less; horizontal/vertical; very simple addition/subtraction (usually by 1 or 2); First, second, third, etc; Right/Left / Above/Below / Next/Before / etc; colours (child is asked to colour something a certain colour); basic writing skills (copy over a line in the picture); and probably some I have forgotten.

Note that the pictures (that come with the program) are all in color - so this course will cost a bit more to print off - but it seems very worth it!

ADDITION: Check out this http://ohpeacefulday.blogspot.com/2010/04/are-mep-and-cm-compatible.html for more on MEP and CM