(MATH & LOGIC)

"Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you
mine are still greater." -- Albert Einstein

For younger children, I will again mention Ruth Beechick's series, The Three R's, as well as
You Can Teach Your Child Successfully for fourth through eighth grades - very helpful!

Mott Media http://www.mottmedia.com/rays.html/ (See Ray's Arithmetic series of 1877 -
"Ray was to math what McGuffey was to reading." We especially like Ray's Intellectual
Arithmetic which was originally for 4th grade, but we recommend getting the answer key!)
A resource for Ray's Arithmetic on CD is http://www.raysarithmetic.com/ The cost of
printing the materials yourself might be a consideration - thorough descriptions of the
books are given.

For those desiring to use more conceptual math, not the workbook approach, you might
want to check out http://www.livingmath.net/. Working in Ray's Arithmetic and doing math
games are also suggested to supplement the recommended books.

Also use math "aids" like color dot dominoes, Cuisenaire Rods, linking cubes, pattern blocks,
attribute blocks, and flash cards - use those with the same problem on both sides, one with the
answer and the other without or use the Saxon flash cards with an addition or multiplication
problem on one side and the coordinating subtraction or division problem respectively on the
other side. Use real life experiences in measuring while cooking and "reading" or doubling
recipes. Play games requiring counting; practice counting change with real money and telling
time on a "real" clock - not a digital one; learn to play chess!

Two movies about chess that our children have enjoyed are "In Search of Bobby Fisher"
and "Knights of the South Bronx."

Math U See http://www.mathusee.com/. Teacher's manual, student texts, use of
manipulative blocks and demonstration teaching video; placement testing

For an online interactive multiplication grid that visually shows the relationship
between addition and multiplication, also useful in skip counting, see
http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/MulTab/applet_s.html
You may choose the size of grid. For best results, read the instructions under the grid, also.

For an online source for fact sheets, interactive flash cards, etc. for grades 1-4 see
http://www.mathfactcafe.com/.

We have used ABeka Arithmetic worktexts some in elementary; we found the introduction of
new concepts and the repetition of previously learned skills to be very helpful. Keep in mind
that ABeka materials were designed for classroom use not for tutorial purposes. It proved
helpful to us to reduce the number of problems to be worked in each lesson.
We also supplemented with Ray's Intellectual Arithmetic for additional reading problems
or mostly used Saxon, depending upon the student.

Saxon Math - Kindergarten through Advanced Math; uses repetition of learned skills for
constant review; good lesson introductions and practice problems; test after every 5 lessons.
Homeschool packet includes practice and problem set answers and tests with answer key.
Solution manuals are available for the more difficult courses. Saxon products are available
from many different sources.

Since Saxon does not have a separate Geometry course, a challenging online text
that might prove helpful is Euclid's Elements. For the table of contents see
http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/java/elements/toc.html.
This course is taught online through Escondido Tutorial Service.

For Geometry we have used the video SuperStar Teachers' High School Series by
The Teaching Company. Look for used video programs online or wait for sales to "stretch"
your book budget. Also, be advised that these programs do not seem to reflect a Christian
worldview. With math it didn't seem as important as with other subjects such as history,
science, philosophy, or religion.

The Golden Rule of Algebra: "Do unto one side as you do unto the other."

Videotext Algebra (Algebra I and II instruction on video with line-by-line solutions manual and
toll free number for "live" help) http://www.videotext.com. We have heard mixed reviews
about Videotext. We liked the way problems were presented; each step was highlighted
as the problem progressed. My son prefers Saxon but doesn't regret using Videotext one year.

A Newbery Medal winner book, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham,
is good reading and might even spark greater interest in mathematics.

Sources for Logic already listed in the Classical Education section but worth mentioning
again here include http://www.christianlogic.com/ with Nathaniel & Hans Bluedorn;
Don't miss reading the Articles on Logic posted on this site. One outstanding article,
"Newspaper Logic" written by Nathaniel and Hans is in response to the Akron Beacon
Journal's series of attacks on homeschooling. It's "a crash-course in debunking bad
newspaper reporting."

For Introductory and Intermediate Logic see http://www.logosschool.com/; and see
Critical Thinking Company for products like Building Thinking Skills and Mind Benders.
The website is http://www.brightminds.us/home/products/index.html.

We recently learned that Mr. Peter Roise of Cassiodorus.org, previously Studium Discere,
Online Tutorials has authored two texts. Rhyme and Reason, a logic text, and a rhetoric text,
The Power of Persuasion. Sample chapters are available for reading linked from
http://www.brightrockpress.com/proise.html.

The skills of logic and rhetoric in communicating the Christian worldview and debating
against untruth in its many disguises is important for our young people to learn!