New Earlybird Kindergarten Math (2014 Edition)

Offering parents an effective, easy-to-use alternative for teaching foundational math skills at home, New Earlybird Kindergarten Mathematics provides focused and systematic instruction of essential math concepts and reasoning skills. There are four Worktexts (consumable textbooks) to be completed for one year of study. Worktexts are colorful and offer brief introductory notes in the preface. Using the Concrete to Pictorial to Abstract teaching approach, concepts are introduced in a spiral progression that build upon previously mastered material. Structured activity pages provide review problems and suggestions for hands-on activities. Hands-on activities are encouraged and use a variety of familiar manipulatives or flashcards. While some items will need to be purchased, like the Attribute Blocks, Balance Scale, and Connecting Cubes, families may choose to make their own flashcards or manipulatives using household items. A separate manipulative kit is available for your convenience. You will need to provide a few items, for example balloons and balls.

Wondering how this edition differs from the Standards or Common Core editions of Earlybird Mathematics? It may be easier to focus on the similarities. All three editions provide focused, systematic instruction from math readiness skills through basic arithmetic skills. All three editions also include teaching instruction at the bottom of the text pages. If you compare New Earlybird Math's table of contents to the Earlybird Standards Edition, the chapters are identical, as are numerous textbook pages, which brings us to the differences. While many of the pages are identical, some contain different activities within the same targeted concept. New Earlybird Mathematics does not include answers, and there is no Teacher Guides, Activity Books or Math Readers. Families familiar with the Standards Edition Kindergarten Mathematics will notice that the New Earlybird Kindergarten series is divided into 4 books, rather than 2. These two Worktexts K1A-K2B follow the same scope and sequence and table of contents as the Standards Edition A and B Texts. Worktexts K1A and K1B provide one semester of instruction, and Worktexts K2A and K2B provide the second semester. There is a beauty in the four-book approach. First, younger students, who may be easily overwhelmed, will appreciate that 1 book is divided into 2, meaning fewer pages to overwhelm. Additionally, parents of preschoolers who feel their child is ready for systematic instruction can start slowly with just 1-2 worktexts. Finally, this is also a great option if you are unsure the Singapore philosophy is a good fit for your learner, as it provides an inexpensive way to try it out for a few weeks! Children completing the New Earlybird Kindergarten Mathematics may continue with any of the Singapore math programs for elementary and middle grades. Books are sold individually or in a cost saving set. ~Deanne