Making Math Meaningful

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU …"

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Quine,

Today I heard my 3rd grader say 'I LOVE math, Momma. Thanks for getting it for me!' Well, 'it' is Making Math Meaningful. Madelaine has struggled terribly through our other attempts to provide math curriculum. She readily told me 'I hate math' and we had many discipline problems surrounding this area of school. She now eagerly sits down and works out each page with me. I think for her it helps greatly that I work with her. She needs me and we enjoy the time together.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping a sweet 8 year old regain some lost years of math learning, and find confidence in her God given ability to perform math equations. She and I are deeply grateful.

In Christ .......... D.& M. W.

Making Math Meaningful is written by a home school father for home schooling children. The mission of this series is to teach children to reason, to understand math concepts, and to think mathematically. Because very important concepts are presented in this level, you are asked to work with your children in the presenation of the ideas.

An Introductory Note from David Quine, home school father and author

As a child I was taught that math was merely parroting back math facts, memorizing formulas, and plugging numbers into formulas. I would often ask my teachers "why am I memorizing this?" Teachers would often tell me that "Someday, you will need to use it." Now as an adult I realize this is was a very shallow answer. As Shirley began teaching our oldest son Bryce at home in 1980, I told her that I would write lesson plans for her that would explain math to him in a simple way. In a way that he would really understand it.

Making Math Meaningful teaches your children to understand not only HOW to do math facts, but more importantly WHY and WHEN. This means that your children will have to do more thinking, but that is better than being treated llke a computer or calculator.

Let me assure your that children can understand math. It may not be your children's best subject, but as they learn to understand it, math will become more meaningful to them. Many children have actually told me that after using Making Math Meaningful math has become their favorite subject. Give your children time to think about each math concept. Don't rush. One of the reasons I wrote the younger levels of Making Math Meaningful in a conversational style was for you and your child to spend time together. Enjoy this time.

Sincerely,

David Quine

"Does it Really Make A Difference?"

I am often asked if it really makes a difference in how math is taught. The goal of your instruction will determine the style of your instruction. What I mean is this. If your goal is the memorization of all the math facts, then drill and practice should be the focus of the instruction. However, if your goal is mathematical thinking (which would include the ability to recall the math facts), then your instruction would be very different.

Charlotte Mason writes: "The chief value of arithmetic, like that of higher mathematics, lies in the training it affords to the reasoning powers. The child may learn the multiplication table and do a subtraction problem without any insight into the rationale of either - without seeing the reason of them." Memorization is only one small part of the reasoning powers. The primary goal of Making Math Meaningful is to teach your child how to reason mathematically.

Perfect for the busy mom.

Pefect for all learning styles.

Perfect for every child.

A major breakthrough

in math understanding.

Making Math Meaningful

a multi-sensory math experience

by David Quine

Perfect for the Busy Mom

Making Math Meaningful is wonderful beginning. It lays the strong foundation for understanding math. Every concept is introduced with a simple conversation (which is provided for you) using math manipulatives. You are spending quality time with your children talking about each math concept.

The conversations are simple. The activities are easy to do. The lesson plans tell you exactly what you are to do and what you are to say. Perfect for the busy mom.

There are no seminars to attend and no videos to watch! Simply pull the book from the shelf and start teaching. Each child has his own student workbook.
Levels K through 4 give you a written script to teach each concept and skill. It's as simple as 1 - 2 - 3!
Levels 5 and 6 and Algebra are written directly to your child. Your child will simply pull the book from the shelf and teach himself.
There is no easier math manipulative program for mom!

Math concepts are easily understood.
Math skills are learned without hours and hours of drill.
There is not a more profound math program for your child.

Three Keys to Success

PARENT INVOLVEMENT is the first key to Making Math Meaningful. The conversations you have with your child over each concept and computational skill will minimize misunderstandings and enhance learning. Simply giving a child a work book or even a tradition textbook and asking him to work on his own leads to many misunderstandings in math. Such misunderstandings are sometimes not noticed for months and then very difficult to correct.

MANIPULATIVES give symbols meaning. Using objects to introduce each new concept and each new computational skill is the second key to success.

THE LEARNING CYCLE is a three phase learning strategy that is unique to Cornerstone Curriculum and the third key:

PHASE 1 - EXPLORING THE CONCEPT: Each lesson begins with math problems your child already knows how to solve or can solve using objects. This group of problems represents a very specific pattern. After solving the problems, your child will then be asked to state the pattern in his own words. In most cases, your child will actually explain the principle very accurately.

PHASE 2 - EXPLAINING THE CONCEPT: The statement of the principle, its proper name, and corresponding formula are explained in this phase of the learning.

PHASE 3 - EXPANDING THE CONCEPT: The last phase of the of the Learning Cycle is an application of the principle. In this phase of the learning, your child will either focus on a deeper aspect of the same principle or the study will move to a closely related principle.

Lesson Plans Telling You Exactly What to Do and What to Say

The lesson plans are what make the teaching of Making Math Meaningful so simple to use. This is a sample page from Level 3 Parent - Teacher Book.

ACTIVITY 3A

Multiplication and Divison

Materials:

15 cans of vegitables or fruit

unifix cubes

WHAT I AM TO DO

1. Using cans of fruit or vegitables make 3 stacks with 4 cans in each stack.

2. Set 1 can to the side of the other stacks.

3. Write: 3(4) + 1

4. Finish by …

WHAT I AM TO SAY

"How many stacks of cans have I made?" (answer 3)

"How many cans are there in each stack?" (answer 4)

"How many cans have I set to the side?"(answer 1)

"I am writing a math sentence describing the cans I have stacked. It is read '3 stacks with 4 cans in each stack with 1 left over. Do we know the total number of cans?" (answer no)

For more sample pages GO TO the specific level.

WHICH LEVEL IS BEST FOR MY CHILD?

	My child reads and writes the numbers 0 - 20.	If 'no', then begin using Level K. If 'yes', then go to 1.
1	My child solves word problems using the numbers 0 - 20. My child knows the basic addition and subtraction facts 0 - 20.	If 'no', then begin using Level 1 . If 'yes', then go to 2.
2	My child solves word problems and computational problems involving borrowing and carrying using the numbers 0 - 99.	If 'no', then begin using Level 2 . If 'yes', then go to 3.
3	My child solves word problems and computational problems involving borrowing and carrying using the numbers 0 - 999. My child knows the basic multiplication and division facts. My child writes the symbolic representations for common fractions.	If 'no', then begin using Level 3 . If 'yes', then go to 4.
4	My child solves word problems and computational problems involving borrowing and carrying using the numbers 0 - 999,999. My child multiplies 1 and 2- digit numbers times 2 and 3 digit numbers. My child writes equal, not equal, less than , and greater than equations for fractions.	If 'no', then begin using Level 4 . If 'yes', then go to 5.
5	My child solves word problems and computational problems involving borrowing and carrying using numbers in the trillions. My child multiplies 2 and 3- digit numbers times 3 and 4 digit numbers. My child divides a 5- digit number by a 1 digit number. My child adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides common fractions.	If 'no', then begin using Level 5 . If 'yes', then go to 6.
6	My child solves word problems and computational problems involving borrowing and carrying using numbers involving decimals. My child divides a 6- digit number by a 2 or 3 - digit number. My child adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides using decimals. My child finds ratio, proportions, and percentages.	If 'no', then begin using Level 6 . If 'yes', then go to 7.
7	My child knows pre-algebraic concepts. My child solves simple algebraic equations (ex. y + 4 = 9). My child solves linear algebraic equations (ex. 3x + 2 = y). My child solves systems of equations and inequalities involving 2 equations with 2 unknowns (2x + y = 9 and x + y = 10). My child solves quadratic equations. My child factors quadratic equations.	If 'no', then begin using Principles from Patterns: Algebra I . If 'yes', then begin using Principles from Patterns: Geometry .

Making Math Meaningful

by David Quine

A Breakthrough in Math Understanding!

Making Math Meaningful

The Original Home School Math Manipulative Program