K-5 Math Basics

What did they already learn?  If your child has been in school, you might not have a good idea of where they are in math.  If so, get a workbook at the bookstore and try some of the problems with your child.  Talk about their thinking, make note of things they need to brush up on. 

First steps in math: Start with number sense, and use lots of manipulatives to make things concrete.  Spend lots of time on place value, getting a strong foundation for the meaning behind the numbers. Lakeshore Learning Supply in Lake Oswego has lots of math games and toys.  

Typical progression for elementary math:

1. Number sense (symbols mean a quantity), counting

2. Place value (ones, tens, hundreds)

3. Add and subtract single digits (the concept, and also memorizing facts)

4. Add and subtract multiple digits (with regrouping)

5. Multiplication (the concept, skip counting, and also memorizing times tables)

6. Division (the concept, and then manual long division)

7. Fractions (lots to this topic, typically 4th, 5th, 6th grades)

8. Lesson books also throw in some money counting, basic geometry shapes, and clock time.

Do I really need a curriculum, to teach math basics?

Maybe no, maybe yes.  It's surprising how when we know something so well ourselves, it is actually hard to break it down to little bits.  It can help to have a logical progression, for example, for a 7 year old with ADHD or slow processing, or dyslexia.  

If your learner has no patience for worksheets, just use the curriculum for yourself, for ideas on how to approach things.  Then be creative with games, or real-life situations.   Maybe do some work on a white board, one problem at a time, in between jumps on the couch.  Or make good use of the many colorful math apps on a tablet.

A few curriculum ideas:

For an active, hands-on learner, try the Math-U-See program, or Right Start Math.  For older kids who like lively videos, MathAntics online is a good choice.  Some comprehensive online providers such as Time4Learning include math lessons.  There are many fun math apps and games as well.  DragonBox has several popular apps.  If your student feels more comfortable with print curriculum, MathMammoth is a great choice for simple, traditional lessons.

If memorizing math facts is NOT working:

If your child has great difficulty memorizing facts, their brain is probably just wired differently.  For example, dyslexic people have trouble with small facts unrelated to a bigger concept.  After trying on and off for a few years, be sure they have the concept of adding, subtracting, etc, but let them use a calculator or chart for the details.  Too many people make the mistake of not moving on in math until the addition facts are memorized, when the child could easily go on with an accommodation.

For a more thorough list of resources, see the Curriculum Planning pages.