Do's & Don'ts of RC Math (Robinson Curriculum Homeschool)

[@ninilovenana]

Didn’t make me mad. I’m being taught just like I want. Thanks for all the info!

[@ourhouse]

Awesome!

[@paigemama5904]

Thank you. Found you when I searched out quitting homeschooling. I feel at the end of my rope and have never liked all the fussy parts and pieces of this job. I’ve also prayed for more grit for the kids. All that Robinson and you say kind of jive with what we need and our love of good books. I guess my looming question is what about all the other subjects? Dr. Robinson says that spelling will be learned by all the reading. I’ve always questioned the importance of diagramming sentences. I can see how history is covered by great books. What about geography? - is that also covered enough by the readings?

[@ourhouse]

There is a grammar book with diagraming exercises using RC books included with RC if you want to add it. I wouldn’t recommend it until they are at least 12 though. This is what I do for geography kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqXLp3dsqK-LiJY

[@Life-To-The-Maxxx]

Thank you for the important information this is going to help me greatly 😊

[@ourhouse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@klecianetz2113]

At the start they also need to learn to write numbers and letters. Otherwise they'll have trouble with 5/4. So it would be flashcards, reading, and writing:) Great vid. My 8 year old has been enjoying the simplicity of less subjects but going deeper or learning more thoroughly.

[@berrypatch5583]

Yes, she teaches that when talking about working with littles before beginning Saxon 5/4. She uses Rays Arithmetic in a tutoring type setting in the younger years....and has them do math facts individually to practice being more independent.

[@ourhouse]

Yes I go over that of course in my rccourseforlittles.com

[@lindsayrosas5678]

Am I missing the links? I would love that book and error tracker!

[@anggonz9503]

Thank you for this video. Yes it ruffled my feathers BUT I’m willing to consider having my kids working on math 6 days a week 😂 it’s a shocking approach and I do wonder whether they’ll even need calculus but perhaps that just indicates I have more to learn as well. College maybe. Anyway thanks again. Another question - I’m using Rays Arithmetic and honestly I’m not sure if I’m doing it in a way that supports transitioning to Saxon math 5/4. The math facts themselves are foreign to me so can you talk about that some more- using Rays to prepare for Saxon? Thx!

[@thespath1139]

This is so helpful...I need to step up my game😩

[@ourhouse]

It took me a long time to really implement everything correctly. Remember it's all about just stumbling in the right direction :)

[@annalizecotton4406]

Me and my husband can easily do some quick work on Saturday mornings for an hour or two before getting on with the day so why can't the kids. Most public school kids have to do homework on weekends anyway. I think it's going to be more of an adjustment for my 10 year old kids that's been homeschooled for 3 years on a different curriculum.

[@ourhouse]

Yes, good point!

[@danielachioibasu2126]

Hi Karen, thank your for all the tips! Where is the best place to purchase saxon math and also where can I have my son do an evaluation to see what math to start with as he is in 6th grade. Thank you

[@ourhouse]

On the Robinson Curriculum order webpage you can order Saxon Math and they also have a placement test you can self administer to find the correct book to start in :)

[@amandakan4279]

Is there a way to just order the rc math program?

[@GisellaHoward]

Hi I tried to get the free math printable but it doesn't show up at all.. do you still have it?

[@mo1659]

Hi! Great video. I’m a homeschool mom of 4 soon to be 5. I am very interested in switching to this curriculum just because of the simplicity. I find myself bouncing back from kiddo to kiddo with so many interruptions. We have purchased a used Saxon 5/4 do I need to buy the student tests and workbooks to use? Is that what the Robinson curriculum users do?

[@ourhouse]

It's up to you. I do not purchase the tests and they are not mandatory. You only really need the answer key. That said, some parents do choose to use the tests. It's up to your preference. I try to keep it as simple as possible :)

[@petrankoyoyo4011]

hi karen! great video again. i have a question regarding learning typing. when should be introduced? also, do RC kids learn to code? i know this is very important nowadays... i would appreciate a video on the topic of computers. thanks, Mona

[@ourhouse]

They would start a typing program around 14-16 when they finished calculus and I think that is a good rule since it is something that can be picked up quickly. As far as coding, this change rapidly. I don't think this is something that needs to be a required subject during the academic time, but if they choose to work on that on their own in their free time, then I don't see why not but RC recommends no screen time until they get to calculus.

[@petrankoyoyo4011]

@@ourhouse thank you, Karen!

[@paigemama5904]

So, just to clarify, all those papers (the Daily writing) is done by hand, on lined paper?

[@lulu12345575]

Hi Karen, if I understood correctly, once the child is learning calculus, RC introduces science books to the curriculum?

[@ourhouse]

Yes, Calculus before Physics, then Chemistry and Biology.

[@lulu12345575]

@@ourhouse Thank you for the reply! I remember I dreaded biology in high school, especially micro biology, but I think it was partially due to learning it as a 9th grader with a lower math level and absolutely no chemistry background.

[@cuttingedgegroom]

Where do I get the math facts flash cards? Thank you

[@ourhouse]

blog.robinsoncurriculum.com/2019/06/12/rc-math-flashcards/

[@cuttingedgegroom]

Thank you! I just bought them 🤗. Thank you for your channel! It's been a real help.

[@Karen_YAHUAH]

We are just starting this in a couple weeks when I get the books, my 13 year old did the Saxon placement test and placed at Algebra 1 but then I read the 'do not skip Saxon 87', it doesn't really explain why though, is there something in Saxon 87 that he will need for the Algebra level?

[@ourhouse]

That’s for people who are starting out from the very beginning, if your 13yo places at Algebra 1 I would definitely start there.

[@evabtz]

@@ourhouse my son placed in algebra 1/2 and I have been worried if he will miss anything in 8/7 that he may need to be solid in for algebra 1 but i have not found too much information on it.

[@kelkayla]

My son is finishing 8th grade and pre-algebra doing teaching textbooks... it sounds like trying this curriculum with him would not work because he would never get to calculus and therefore never get to science in just 4 years, is that correct?

[@ourhouse]

It depends if you go year round and the recommended 2 hours a day. That said, if Teaching Textbooks works for you then keep using it and adopt the RC reading and writing.

[@ninilovenana]

Also is it ok if the child asks about what a word means and we refer them to look it up in a dictionary?

[@ourhouse]

In what context? With the math books? I think there is a time and a place for that, instructional time and enjoyment time. When they are reading a book and ask me, I just tell them. As far as the math books, majority do have nice glossary of terms in the back. So far none of my kids have asked me what a word means in the math text books. They are really well written.

[@lizbeavers9042]

Do you still use the Flashmaster?

[@ourhouse]

No, I think it broke, I don't remember. We just stick with the flashcards right now and I am experimenting with the Rod and Staff 3rd grade book that is just math facts.

[@180char]

@@ourhouse hi, would love an update on this, what did you think of the Rod and Staff 3rd grade math, would love to know your opinion on it and if you will continue using it and when you will switch to saxon 5/4.

[@juliequates9529]

@@180char yes! I'd love to know as well. My 8 year old is working on math facts but I'd like him doing something and im considering Rod and Staff 3.

[@monemabdel1974]

Hello, please i need ur help. How can i protect my library from the damage and specially from insects. My books are dying.. 😔 Thank you.

[@ourhouse]

I'm sorry I am not an expert in that area, but I am sure you can find some great info on the web.

[@monemabdel1974]

@@ourhouse thank you

[@jessicajones611]

What age did your children start 54 typically? See you mentioned calculus at 14, so working back, a book a year, that would mean starting 54 at age 6, is that right? X

[@ourhouse]

Typically they start around age 7-8 but I do know some parents start earlier at 6. If you do school year round, 6 days a week like RC recommends, they can do more than the typical one book a year, it will depend on the student.

[@jessicajones611]

@@ourhouse ok thank you, :)

[@jessicajones611]

@@ourhouse looking at 54, I think I’ll start at 7, because I see it introduces square roots and things, and he hasn’t really mastered division:)

[@cg6322]

Hi Karen! So happy to have found your channel! Its wonderful!! I am in the process of purchasing all the Saxon textbooks ( 54 to calculus) and wanted to know if I should also get Saxon Physics? Is this a book you would recommend? Thanks!

[@ourhouse]

No, RC does not recommend that title. RC has included in their curriculum The Mechanical Universe and Beyond Mechanical Universe for Physics.

[@cg6322]

@@ourhouse okay. Good to know! May I ask why it isn't recommended?

[@ourhouse]

It doesn’t contain the math it should.

[@berrypatch5583]

Rod and Staff Math 3 is entirely independent, focuses on math facts, spends the first 40 lessons on addition and subtraction, and allows multiplication and division facts to be drilled without mama-she can just grade this book for them. I feel if you like me often have young students whom are not reading well...cough cough boys....they are often ready for more math than reafing readiness allows them to. So I believe the best 1st math book is math 3...just let them write right in the book. Then 5/4 will be even easier for them as they use that book to learn to read and understand...and with already knowing some of the work I feel it helps to be a gentler transition for younger kiddos....while still being independent.

[@ourhouse]

I ordered it today so I will check it out :)

[@berrypatch5583]

@@ourhouse You will LOVE it! It is the perfect transitional book for most kiddos. You only need tge teachers manual for grading....do not feel the need to "do the lessons with them"...totally unnecessary for our personal goals. Simply show how to do 2 of the new problems in the first month...watch them do 2...and off they go. Super quick and simple.

[@berrypatch5583]

Another tip. If they start at 6 or 7...just assign one row a day...then 1 lesson can last them a week. Slow and Steady...focused on being correct...wins the race.

[@lizbeavers9042]

I LOVR Rod and Staff grades 1-3 workbooks! They are independent. We do flashcards too but I like having the kids do a lesson each day as well. Super math fact heavy and I like the simple black and white pages.

[@berrypatch5583]

@@lizbeavers9042 they do have a calm feeling to them. I love the black and white simplistic pages, but we no longer use levels 1 and 2. My biggest reason I no longer use the levels 1 and 2 workbooks is that I felt it was too many problems and exhausted littles when they are just learning to write and I want their writing energy to be for copywork. So I do a little tutoring with them using a hundred chart and using Singapore textbooks...no workbooks. It allows them to be exposed to math concepts progressively without wasting the money on the unused workbooks and I drill math facts daily-either them independently or with me a couple times weekly. We use Rod and Staff counting with Numbers by Rod and Staff as our 1st math book in preschool and I absolutely love Christian Light Kindergarten 2 as a foundation program before moving forward with anything. I only use the workbooks not the activity workbooks....as I feel children naturally enjoy crafting and playing so the activity workbooks are unnecessary. So $15 for K.....It is the best intro program. Then I do Singapore lesson with an abacus, hundred chart, and place value cards. We write problems together and by the time we are in level 2 I simply give them 5 problems that they do independently and we move forward.

[@lulu12345575]

hahahaha! "And at the risk of sounding like a cheesy youtuber, if you do find this video helpful, smash that like button below!"

[@cuteracoons5434]

you dont **need** to be 14 to start calculus, each child will be different and many homeschoolers are gifted

[@mchobbit2951]

If I would have had to master calculus before getting to do any science, let's just say that I'd now know no science and be 100% worse off. Math disabilities exist and some people just aren't very good at math and need more time. Which doesn't mean that you can't be very skilled in something else. Also, why do you think that public is "behind in math". When was calculus at 14 ever the norm?

[@cuteracoons5434]

you are following rc too rigidly its a good method but tweaking it makes it better

[@mchobbit2951]

I fully agree with all of your comments. I feel like Robinson, when followed rigidly, is too much. It's very dogmatic and a bit draconian though the general idea is good. I mean, a six day work day and 5 to 6 hours without a break other than to go to the bathroom. We KNOW that young children don't have the attention span for that. Heck, ADULTS shouldn't study that long without a break. It seems to be all about working hard without much regard to whether it's also working SMART. If you consider that public school also has breaks and Saturdays off, Robinson requires more time than public school. And we KNOW that homeschooling doesn't even have to take as long as public school. If it's about good study habits, then we should follow the science, which is not always on the Robinson side.

[@cuteracoons5434]

with spaced repetition kids internalize facts better than hammering said facts six days a week karen you are teaching your kids to study inefficiently

[@mchobbit2951]

I also wonder how she knows that the kids don't cheat with the flash cards to begin with? They start at 5 and you expect them to have that much discipline? It would make more sense for you do flashcards with them and have a spaced repetition system in place from the start.

[@RaNdOm-qR6]

Can I still use Robinson with math u see curriculum?

[@ourhouse]

Yes