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Background:

This is based on my experience using levels K and 2 this school year (we are currently about half way through). After a convo with a friend recently who told me she was frustrated with all the prep that Math with Confidence required each day, I realized that what I had done before we started the year had truly made it stress-free for me. (Ok, honestly - as stress-free as possible for teaching my own kids math.) There are occasionally items I have to grab the day-of. But 90% of the time (no I didn’t actually compute the percentage), I can literally open the book and go…

Appreciation: I’d also like to give a shout-out to Katie from Life in the Mundane for the inspiration for my math kit. It has been a HUGE lifesaver. Because I am using mine for multiple grades, I ended up putting together a binder as well as the “math kit” box. However, as you can see in the video above, Katie attached a plastic folder to her box to keep the paper printable (black line masters) in. I think it’s brilliant! And you might prefer that method.

Now for the details…

What To Do

• Read the Instructors Guide

• Set up the Math Kit.

• Set up the Binder.

• Other Items

• Where to Buy It All

Read the Instructor’s Guide

Kate Snow (the author) has written these books directly to US - the parents. At the beginning of the book, she gives some really helpful information about how the book is set up and suggestions for how to prepare to teach it. Then, throughout the units and chapters, she explains WHY she is teaching a certain skill at a certain time, what that skill prepares our children to do, and/or why it is important. She also includes suggestions for how to know your child is ready to move on, or what to do if they are not ready for the next chapter. I always try to take a few minutes to read through the information before we start a new section.

Set up the Math Kit:

First, I purchased a photo box keeper like this one. (I technically bought mine from Michael’s, but this looks like the same thing on Amazon. Just price check to find the best deal!!) Each of the small boxes within the kit are roughly 6.75 x 4.5 inches. I labeled each one I used and filled them with the specified supplies from the Math with Confidence teacher’s guides (for grades K and 2). Many of the supplies overlap, and with the two grades I still have several empty boxes that I can use as we expand into other grades or add my third kid.

What I Included in the Boxes:

Remember what I put in these boxes are specific to my Kindergartener and Second Grader. Use this as a jumping off point for your math kit based on the grade level you are using. I tried to include links for you to see either exactly what I have or something very similar.

• playing cards - she says to use two sets. You will need these! I have two different colored sets like the ones I link. And I really like having two colors because it’s so much easier to put them back in their correct boxes.

• dice - I keep quite a few in here that I can’t even tell you where I collected them from. I’d recommend having at least 2 or 3. Here’s a fun set with multi-colored dots.

• small toys - These are used to play store and I preferred to grab these ahead rather than day-of. They’re not used enough that it is necessary, but we have sooooo many random toys lying around…And with two kids this year I have used these toys a few times total. So, up to you but worth the prep to me! Of course, if we run out of space in the Math Kit down the road, this will probably be the first box to go. Or, I’ll stick it in my school cabinet just not inside the math kit.

• coins - You can use fake ones, but I just grabbed a bunch of pocket change we had in a jar. It’s fun for the kids to get to play with real money, and then I know they are actually learning the REAL thing.

• wet-erase markers (aka Vis-a-Vis) - These are not included in Kate Snow’s lists, but I have found them helpful for several of the activities where a dry-erase marker will wipe off too easily. For example, while using the number line there is a lot of pointing and counting. The dry erase markers will wipe off with touching, so I find it easier to use the wet erase in that instance.

• clear counters (LOOOOVE these things!) We use them for everything that calls for counters unless it specifically MUST be two-sided. Then, we opt for our two-sided ones.

• two-sided magnetic counters These are larger and don’t fit in the boxes in MWC backline masters as well as the clear ones. You might enjoy these if you prefer to have only one set and want to be able to flip them over. You can get magnetic or not - magnetic work better if you want to use a whiteboard or even a baking sheet. They won’t move around as easily. And, to circumvent the problems with these fitting on the 10-frames provided in the curriculum, I just enlarged the copies of the 10-frames with my copying machine so they’d fit.

• play money You can use any play money that you have or use what she includes in the back of the instructor’s guide (at least for 2nd grade). Or, feel free to grab this set that I made from my Etsy store.

• Expo markers - I particularly love the ones that have felt-tip erasers on the caps like the ones I linked. They are thinner lined than the traditional whiteboard markers, and they have the semi-attached eraser!! I have even kept a few of them in my math kit, but will probably move them out as I need space for working with more kids. You can always mix some dry erase and wet erase markers in one box. Just make sure your kids know the difference!!

• I have a few other items in my math kit, but they are not specific to the MWC suggested setup, and they are taking up extra space that I may need in the next couple years.

Set Up The Binder:

• I used a 1.5 inch 3-ring binder like this one and have plenty of room for K and 2nd grade stuff together.

• And, I even created a cover to go on my binder that I’ll use in future as well…you’re welcome to download it here for free.

• If you have more than one child/grade level, use tabbed binder dividers to separate the BLMs for each grade. (I love the write-on ones because they’re reusable and sturdy. Don’t go buy anything special for this- use a few that you already have! I mention these in case you’re looking for some reusable dividers.) I have a green and a blue tab with each kid’s BLMs behind their tab - for their current grade level.

• ALSO - If you prefer to have everything in ONE place and ready to go…you might want to take the time to copy ALL of the games from the book (student book) and put each one in a clear plastic sleeve. There should be a list of all the games for the level included somewhere in the teacher’s guide. Check that list for page numbers. This lets you prep them ahead of time so they’re ready for future use. But, you don’t have to do this!! I did it the first year of using MWC and am still trying to decide whether it’s worth it for this coming year.) You can always just put the empty sleeves in your binder and add the games as you go as the curriculum suggests. Just know that your kid’s written work for that lesson will be on the back of the game.

• If you choose to copy the games, consider taking the time to write or copy the instructions from the teacher’s guide onto the back of each of the games. Some of the game boards have 2-3 versions for that game board. So, be sure to write down the alternate game instructions. This way, if you want to use the games and don’t have the instructors guide handy or want to be able to grab and go you’ll have the instructions with you. Again, this is really me just being extra anal. If you don’t plan to use the games outside of the curriculum don’t worry about this. In retrospect (I’m editing/updating after we finished the school year), I don’t know if it was worth my time. Except…I could use it this summer

• Reminder - the game boards are in the student book. BUT the instructions for those games are found in the teacher’s book. This is why I chose to include (clean) copies of the games and the instructions for them in my binder - so I don’t have to flip back and forth.

• Lists you can include in the binder:

  These lists are each found in the back of the instructor’s guide. You don’t NEED to copy and include them, but if you want them accessible or want to highlight etc. as you go through them you might like to have copies in the binder.

• Complete Memory Work List (in 2nd grade book not K)

• Scope and Sequence

• Complete Picture Book List

• Materials List

• Game List and Extra Game Boards (in 2nd not K)

Other items to keep nearby:

• copy paper - use the “cheap” 24 lb paper. (I’m a paper snob…my preferred weight is 32 lb esp. for printing double-sided, but for scratch paper 24 lb is great.)

• pencils (Ticonderoga is “the” brand!)

• index cards - seriously we use them for MWC a lot. You could easily fit 3x5 cards in one of the boxes! I have a variety of sizes - sometimes the tiny ones are actually helpful and they’re just more fun.

Where to Buy:

Math with Confidence

• TheWellTrainedMind.com - This is the publishing company’s website. (Go here for the samples of the instructor’s guide.)

• Christianbook.com - They run sales all the time! Sign up for their texts to get frequent free shipping codes on purchases $35+.

• Amazon.com - As always, price-check Amazon against these other sites to get the best price.

The “Math Kit” box

• Michaels.com - This is where I bought it. They also have a clear/white one. It seems to go on sale a lot. So, don’t pay full price!!!!

• It is also available on Amazon.com

Conclusion

I hope that this break-down is helpful for you!! I always search online for ideas for organizing and setting up curriculum before I get started. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at emily@teachertutormom.com. I would be honored to try to help answers your questions or point you in the right direction!