Parent Resources

Homeschooling Resources for Gifted Students of Mathematics:
Elementary School

 

The Hands-On Equations Learning System by Henry Borenson

A manipulative-based introduction to linear algebraic equations for the young student. Develops concepts in a fun and exciting way. Using a pictorial balance, pawns and dice to model equations, this program builds familiarity with integer arithmetic, variables, the properties of equality, distributive law, additive inverse, and additive identity.

 

Miquon Math by Lore Rasmussen

Discovery approach to primary grade (1 - 3) math in a set of six workbooks. Emphasis on seeing patterns, understanding concepts, and independent problem-solving (no rote learning of algorithms here). Introduces the student to all the usual primary school topics, as well as set theory, prime numbers, divisibility rules, graphs of straight lines, modular (clock) arithmetic, area and volume, squares and cubes, triangle numbers, Pascal's triangle, Fibonacci numbers, and more. Highly visual approach.

 

Singapore Math(available at www.singaporemath.com )

The Primary Math (grades 1-6) series is more challenging than typical American school textbooks. These books are to the point with minimal repetition. Focus on mental math and word problems, which are among the toughest I have seen for young people. For example, the beginning of the fifth-grade text has this problem: John and Paul spend $45 altogether. John and Henry spend $65 altogether. If Henry spent three times as much as Paul, how much did John spend? The supplemental word problem books Topical Problem Sums have additional challengers.

 

Calculus By and For Young People by Don Cohen

Thought-provoking, discovery-based introduction to advanced topics. Accessible and fascinating for elementary students. Covers topics such as infinite series, functions, the Fibonacci sequence, continued fractions, iteration, the binomial expansion, pi, the exponential function, imaginary numbers, area under a curve, and slope. A treasure! Enough here for the busiest minds.