All About Math Review
This article is IN PROCESS….I will be updating it as soon as I get a physical copy of the curriculum in my hands. For now, you’re welcome to read my notes. Be warned it’s pretty rough - only read it if you want to watch me write this post & or like to read other people’s rough drafts. LOL
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Following I share my ongoing notes from reviewing the information currently available to me. When it releases, I plan to purchase it and finish this review as soon as possible.
Click here to view the product page. It will be live on Tuesday, May 13th.
Placement Tests
Level 1 Readiness Assessment
There is a link to this assessment on the All About Math Level 1 product page. Look for Placement Test 1.
Here are my notes from looking over it…
1 page PDF with a list of questions for the parent/teacher to think through before starting the level with a child.
From this I would assume a 4 year old would be able to start this math program if desired, definitely most 5 year olds.
Level 2 Readiness Assessment
This is also linked on the AAM-1 product page. Look for Placement Test 2.
Here are my notes…
From reading the level 2 assessment it seems that it would be a lot to skip over unless a child had already done kindergarten and first grade math.
9-page PDF with teacher instructions and student activity pages to fill in.
If this seemed above your child’s level, I think you could quickly go through a few lessons of level 1 and then slow down when you find their “level” unless your child actually tested into level 2.
What’s Included
Teacher’s Manual (open-and-go style)
Student Packet
Student Activity book (full color; I think they’re perforated)
Cardstock Math Tools (used for multiple lessons)
Themed Stickers (these are always cute)
“Brinda’s Math Tools” some in black and white and others in color. This may be the same things as the Math tools mentioned above. Need to confirm that. It includes 5-frames and 10-frames in the same configuration as Dimensions (as opposed to the side-by-side 10-frame of Math with Confidence). A sample is available on the product page.
Cost for Instructor’s Guide, Student book, and student: $119.95
Separate purchase: Math tools kit (One time purchase that you use for all levels); I should have all these already
Level 1 Covers:
Counting, identifying, and writing numbers to 100
Addition and subtraction
Story problems
Comparing numbers
Measuring
Link to sample of T’s manual - available at link above.
Table of Contents shows 60 lessons - no chapters or weeks. Just 60 lessons with some review lessons (see below)
Lessons
Similarly to AAR (All About Reading) and AAS (All About Spelling) they have a box of info at the beginning of each lesson for the teacher to read over to understand what dis being covered and any concepts.
Each starts with review (uses the student’s “Daily Review Tracker” for this section starting in lesson 5; on this tracker you will mark the date that the student begins a concept and the date it is mastered to keep track of )
New teaching section includes both hands-on multi-sensory learning and activity sheets
Each lesson ends with a reflection section where the child is encouraged to ask questions and clarify their learning; the teacher can assess any misconceptions
Extended practice is included for each lesson to provide any needed practice or reinforcement
Brinda’s Math Fun is intended to be games, etc. that are played multiple times. Colorful, perforated, and tell you to store (i.e., clear plastic cover) for later. I’d stick in a binder like I do for MWC.
Progress chart - use it at the end of each lesson to record their progress; this is different than the Daily Review Tracker b/c this is the sticker chart the kids put a sticker on.
Not intended to complete a lesson each day. Some will extend longer. Not broken into units or chapters or weeks.
The student activity pages look similar to the way AAR is set up with cards that need to be cut up. You could definitely do it ahead of time if you like to work that way, or you could just cut them out as you start the lesson. I prefer the former approach b/c I’m lazy.
I can’t tell yet whether putting them in plastic sleeves and writing on the pages with a thin wet or dry erase marker would work or if you need to plan to purchase the book again for a second child, etc. However, if you prepped the games ahead of time you could definitely just insert the written on pages for another child rather than prepping it every year. But, there would be no written records of what your child worked on. In this case, take lots of pictures! Or, just buy the book for your next kid.
There are 5 “Show What You Know” lessons throughout - on the following lessons: 11, 22, 34, 41, and 60 ; they appear to be a guided teacher assessment meaning the teacher writes down their observations of what the child can do.
Games very similar to AAR games where kid flips a card over, tells what it is and “feeds it to the mouse” etc.
Suggestion - mark up the teacher’s guide with highlighting things you want to say or emphasize.
Approach
Mastery based, not grade based.
But suggested grades:
Level 1 - Kindergarten and part of 1st
Level 2 - part of 1st and 2nd
Level 3 - mainly third
Level 4 - mainly fourth
Level 5 - mainly fifth
Some lessons require you to “prepare” something like lesson 8 getting out cups and putting pre-counted math cubes in each. Easy to see b/c inside the cream box at the beginning & bold “PREPARE”
Comparison to Math with Confidence
Compare to MWCK - look at both Scope and Sequences & mark comparisons
Both are scripted
Perforations vs copying. Prefer this and the colorfulness. Also since they’re intended to come out you don’t run into the bump on a game b/c the book is not lay-flat.
Need to confirm that the counters, etc. fit on their games and 5/10-frames. B/c MWC doesn’t always. Frustrating.
AAM includes a separate purchase for the math manipulatives used throughout.
MWC uses self-sourced supplies off a list. But RainbowResource.com has a bundle you can purchase with add-ons for the MWC levels: https://www.rainbowresource.com/kmwcms.html
K- $20
1-2 - $20 add-on or separate for starting here $36, etc.
MWC uses the playing cards, etc. to play any and all games rather than individually different games with pictures. AAM uses the same colorful and fun game style as AAR and you have to cut out the pieces each time but they are pretty each is unique.
Price difference
MWC has a complete list of any and all supplies needed for the whole book (Double check this!). Does AAM have this? I don’t see it. Could make one and include as a download on TTM.
Color! vs black and white - teacher’s guide, student pages, and games compare.
Broken into units/chapters/week vs. none.
20 min per day and stop for AAM; Complete lesson for MWC. But can stretch as needed.
Number of lessons: MWC ____; AAM 60 (but more than 60 days worth). So if you prefer a cleaner laid out for you approach MWC has that. If you prefer color and don’t mind the cutting out AAM is a better fit.
Compare amount of teacher prep.
Both include numerous bits of info and tips for teachers/parents at the beginning and throughout the lesson. Both tell whether you need to sit on a skill or can move on and that it will take time to master. Super helpful. This includes comments about nuances such as how to phrase things to prevent confusion or be precise. Both have this.
The teacher words seem wordier in the AAM. Not bad just different.
Different - AAM seems to really emphasize the questions within each lesson that are more open ended like “how did you know there were four dots?” Both ask questions, this one seems to do it even more.
MWC puts the words the teacher should say in bold. I appreciate that because in All About Math they are in quotes. Harder to differentiate. You could go through AAM and highlight the words you need to say.
They both give suggestions for further practice. AAM does it at the end of every lesson. I think MWC does it at the end of each chapter/week instead - maybe after each or at least some lessons but def at the end of chapters and even more so the end of units (where applicable - level 4+ doesn’t have “weeks”/chapters just units).
Quality of paper and printing/color and thickness ect
Price to replace student book for each?
Answer key for each student page is in the teacher’s guide on that lesson rather than in the back like MWC. I like this better! But if you were worried about a kid seeing it just keep that in mind. Could use a sticky note to cover it
MWC includes picture book ideas for each chapter.
Compare the Scope and Sequences of both - include MWC Level 1 since this includes some first grade.
Compare the readiness assessments for beginning each.
MWC focuses on one number per day for the first __ days.
