Comments on: Working Montessori Math into Homeschooling

By: Lori Bourne

Lori Bourne — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:03:01 +0000

Hi, Lori! (love your name!) I don't know about the Montessori Foundation albums, but you can find many types here including online ones: Ultimate Post About Montessori Albums.

By: Lori L

Lori L — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 22:35:41 +0000

Well, I happened across this very late but I found it very interesting. My daughter has been at Montessori 2 years now. She is first year Lower El. now. She is excelling in all areas except reading. She is dyslexic and needs a little more than Montessori can offer. I have been trained to teach dyslexics and would like to home school her next year still using the Montessori style. I have home schooled 18 years now but had to send her to school while I was caring for my grandmother. Now that I am able to teach at home again I believe the right reading instruction along with the Montessori method she is accustomed to in her other subjects will allow her to really blossom and learn to her fullest potential.
I found the NAMC manuals but can not find The Montessori Foundation Manuals(Guides). Can you please tell me where I can find them so I can compare prices?
My daughter’s school uses the manuals from Montessori Foundation so I believe it would be best for me to get the same ones to continue on with.
Thanks,
Lori

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:26:30 +0000

thanks, lori, i will check that post. my kids have all been in montessori for years, and i am now homeschooling so i am looking at continuing what already works! i do mean the albums and i will look at that workbook also. thank you, again.

By: Lori Bourne

Lori Bourne — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:36:02 +0000

Hi, Sue! Do you mean an album with the instructions for using the Montessori math materials? If you are looking for albums (including free online ones), this post has a ton of information.

There’s no “book” that you can have the children use to do Montessori math – in Montessori, math is done with hands-on materials. The albums are for the adults to use, to know how to present the materials.

As I mentioned in an earlier comment, the Math Made Easy workbooks from Dorling Kindersley are very nice. They are not Montessori, but are easy to integrate into a Montessori setting.

By: Sue

Sue — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:29:26 +0000

what book would you recommend for teaching your children montessori math at home?

By: Lori Bourne

Lori Bourne — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:44:34 +0000

I bought them directly from ShillerMath…but as both I and Esther point out, there are better math books out there for far less money.

By: viji

viji — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:43:24 +0000

hi esther/lori bourne

where did you buy shiller math books..

i am looking to buy only the books for Kit one..my son is 4 yrs old and i want to start math

any help is appreciated,,

By: Lori Bourne

Lori Bourne — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:49:54 +0000

Hi, Esther! Never too late to join in the discussion.

I too was disappointed with Shiller Math when I tried it. I felt the lessons weren’t well laid out and frankly, sometimes made no sense. Actually, anyone looking for a workbook-based program might want to check out “Math Made Easy” books by Dorling Kindersley. They are extremely well done.

By: Esther

Esther — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:43:55 +0000

I know this thread is pretty old, but I wanted to put in a few comments about Shiller Math in case it might help someone…I bought it because I thought it was the closest I could get to Montessori without spending HUGE amounts of money…I also got it because I was feeling overwhelmed about pulling the Montessori together in a way I could present it even if I could afford the materials…(I have no Montessori training.)

I’ve got to say I’m disappointed. First, Shiller doesn’t help me to set up materials in a way that lets my children work independently and really discover on their own. (And reading his philosophy makes me think he wants you always to be with your child, coaching him along.) Second, some of my favorite Montessori manipulatives aren’t included…I’m still making some for my kids to work with. Third, some of the lessons just seem dumb to me!

At least for now, we’re not going to abandon Shiller. I’m hoping that by the time my oldest is done with Shiller Kit 1, I’ll be able to pull things together so we can go on with true Montessori.

By: Originalkat

Originalkat — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:41:58 +0000

Although this comment comes nearly 2 years after the original post, I would still like to add my thoughts. I am a homeschooling mom of preschoolers and just came across this awesome blog and resource website. Here are my two cents on Shiller Math as a Montessori alternative for homeschoolers…
I first learned of the amazing aspects of the Montessori method informally through a coworker about ten years ago. (I am a former “traditional” preschool teacher). Now that I have children of my own, I wanted to implement some Montessori aspects (Math, language, and geography for now) into my Charlotte Mason inspired curriculum. When I googled Montessori Homeschool Math, Shiller Math came up. I have really thought, prayed, debated, and read reviews about this program. For me it came down to…it’s really not true Montessori. Even with my limited knowledge and experience with Montessori, I believe my children will not be able to truly grasp the math concepts the way they were designed unless they use the materials themselves.
Since I don’t have formal Montessori training, I have decided to buy the (costly) NAMC manual because it is nicely organized with full color photos with detailed descriptions of the presentations. I also think I will buy my math materials from Montessori Outlet which has quality products at a much lower cost.
It is worth the time and money for my children to learn math the Montessori way. And you never know…your kids might want to use the materials for their own child one day!