Because of that math was a tricky subject for me to plan. I wanted to teach not just the math facts but the fun that came with them. Luckily I discovered "Life of Fred." I know I've mentioned these excellent books before but I can't help but want to go on and on and on about how much I love them and how happy my kids are using them!
Because my girl are eager to learn more about Fred and his adventures I don't worry about how fast they go through the books. It makes lesson planning easy, I don't have a set amount of time for them to complete the books as long as they work on them every school day.
"Like of Fred" is not based on standardized grade level achievement charts, i.e. They do not cover the concepts you will see on end of year tests during any given year. Instead some "higher" concept are introduced early and some "lower" concepts are not introduced until later. There is also a lack of stress given to test concepts.
If I lived in a non-testing state I would not worry about it, as long as the kids are prepared for the next book grade level specifics can be a bit arbitrary. But this is a testing state so I want my girls prepared for testing.
Last year I bought simple grade level practice workbooks for them to complete at the end of the year. Turns out a page of 50 multiplication problems was the equivalent of having to walk across hot coals for my older daughter. There were tears, days of staring at the same page, fits and no fun for anyone.
So this year I decided to try something different, "Daily Math Practice." Most teaching stores sell the teachers book, complete with class room copy right permission but since I was only planning to use them with one, maybe two kids I decided to order student books instead. As a child I remember the teach handing out these short worksheets before class, I loved them! Now I know they are part of "busy work," designed to keep kids quiet while the teacher changes subjects, then I only knew they were fun. I'm hoping my girls will also find them fun.
Instead of the repetitive page of 50 problems, these have 5 slightly diverse problems and on Fridays just 1 harder problem. The goal is for the girls to see and experience the types of problems they will be tested on while not overwhelming them.
When Charry first saw the workbook she defiantly groaned but when I showed her it was just a few problems a day she relaxed. I think these will be a good compromise for us.
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