Kindergarten math program for home school

Question

I will be home schooling my daughter this year for kindergarten. I am still undecided about a math program. I am thinking about Horizons Kindergarten Math Set. Here's a link http://www.aophomeschooling.com/horizons/grade-k/math/jkc120.prod

Does anyone have any feedback on this program or could you recommend a program that has worked for you. Many Thanks!!

Answer 1

Horizons Math is a great program.We used Horizons up through 6th grade and then we moved to ALEKs math.  If your child is hands on, then Math-u-See if very good too! We didn't start this from the beginning so it was a difficult transition. Another good site is http://www.LivingMath.net They have some great ideas for teaching math using literature.

Best of Luck to You!

jana

http://www.purehomeschooling.com

Answer 2

I'm told that "Life of Fred" is a book-based very good program, but I don't know too much about it.  Apparently it follows this Fred fellow through stories, where math is needed to solve a mystery or finish a story, something like that.

Horizons is said to be very good, but some people say it moves too fast for their child.  The ordinary Alpha Omega Lifepac for Kindergarten is also good, and moves a tad bit slower, I think.

Personally, I like the Christian Light Education program very well, but they don't "do" kindergarten as such, theirs starts in the first grade.  Since they don't "do" kindergarten, their first grade math starts out with the concept of "one", and very gently moves on through all the kindergarten concepts and through the first grade concepts too.  Without the child feeling "pushed".

Answer 3

For math Horizons is great, I am not as pleased with their language arts materials, though I hear it works well for some.  

For Kindergarten though, it really isn't necessary to use a structured curriculum, you can find all you need on-line for free, in your backyard, and at the library.  Add in some play-dough and paint, and you are set.

http://www.starfall.com  (Free learning site, preschool to 2nd grade)

http://www.handwritingforkids.com (Free worksheets)

http://www.enchantedlearning.com (Free learning site with purchased membership)

http://www.earlychildhoodlinks.com (links to lots of sites)

http://www.first-school.ws  (free preschool stuff)

http://teacher.scholastic.com  (some free worksheets and activities)

http://www.tlsbooks.com  (LOTS of free stuff-no membership required)

http://www.auntlee.com (Free games and activities)

http://www.dltk-kids.com (Lots of ideas and activities)

More in source section:

Answer 4

I wouldn't touch Life of Fred with anyone younger than a jr. high student - some of the stories in there get pretty raunchy, especially for the younger set.  Honestly, I won't let my 6th grader anywhere near it.  The premise is good, but several of the stories are just downright inappropriate.

Horizons is good, I really suggest Math U See Primer or Alpha.  It's taught on DVD in short segments by a math teacher who's very funny (and appropriate) :) and is very concept-based, so they know exactly WHY they do what they do.  It's also very manipulative-based so that abstract concepts become concrete.