Math

FREE DOWNLOAD: First-Lessons in Arithmetic, Jones Bros., 1878. This math book will provide home school parents and public school teachers a incomparable tool from the past to help their students master the fundamentals of arithmetic. This book was handed down to me by my family. My ancestors used it. It is my privilege to make this precious family heirloom available to the public. My main purpose in publishing this book on the web is not just antiquarian, I fully expect that parents and teachers will download this book and use it to produce a generation of children who are experts at basic math calculation. Personally, I think it is far better than Ray's Arithmetic, and vastly superior to the confusing modern consumable workbook that plagues today's classrooms.  The final pages were scanned and published here on 10/3/04 (Revised 3/25/05) NOTE: It is a very large file (209.66.23 MB). Because the file is so large, I have divided it into 10 smaller files for easier downloading.

1. Basic Addition, pages 1 - 31.

2. Basic Subtraction, pages 32 - 50. 

3. Basic Multiplication, pages 51 - 71.

4. Basic Division, 72 - 92.

5. Fractions, 93 - 104.

6. Notation and Numeration, 105 - 112.

7. Advanced Addition and Subtraction, 113 - 121.

8. Advanced Multiplication, 122 - 127.

9. Advanced Division, 128 - 133.

10. Denominate Numbers and Measurement, 134 - 144.

I appreciate a homeschool mom in Australia who sent me the following link to First Lessons in Numbers, (1888) This book is a real gem and quite similar to First-Lessons in Arithmetic.

First Book in Arithmetic is a wonderful supplement to First Lessons in Arithmetic.

Ray's New Intellectual Arithmetic was quite successful. This edition was published in 1877.

David Tower's 1850 Gradual Lessons in Oral and Written Arithmetic

Caution:  Be sure to show students the side of the math flashcards with the answers on them because if you show them the side without the answer they might memorize the side without the answer. Think about that. It is more important that you might think. We want students to associate two numbers in an addition problem with the correct answer not with a blank space.    

I heartily recommend Sam Blumenfeld's How to Tutor as an excellent source for a basic understanding of how to teach arithmetic. You can purchase his book at:  How to Tutor His method may seem a little strange to teachers used to modern textbooks, but a close reading will yield profound insights into best procedures for helping students master the fundamental arithmetical operations. Arithmetic operations should be memorized and over-learned to the point that they become automated procedural processes, fully automated and perfectly accurate. Unit counting should be avoided at all costs. Students who have the mechanics of calculation automated (able to run with out conscious attention) will inevitably be able to allocate more attention to problem solving. My gandson, Rhyan (age 9), studied Saxon Math at the Odessa Christian School where he learned all of his math facts to full automaticity.

Here is a link to a most unusual arithmetic book, but one which may hold great promise as a tool for teaching basic calculating skills. The arithmetical primer. Underhill's new table-book; or, Tables of arithmetic made easier. By D. C. Underhill ...Underhill, D. C. (Daniel C.), New ed., rev., enl., and improved.:  36 p. illus. 15 cm. New York, R. Marsh [c1854]  calculating skills: Arithmetical primer.

Hall's Arithmetic Primer (1901). A marvelous method that every teacher and home school parent should have. You can download it from this URL at Google Book. Hall also wrote an Arithmetic Reader. which something of a combined reader and arithmetic book. Here is Adam's New Arithmetic (1848). Here is the Teacher's Key to Adam's New Arithmetic.

Practical Arithmetic (1847) by James Thompson.

The Stone-Millis Arithmetics: Primary (1914). Important for practical and theoretical purposes.

Here is a new site I recently found: Systematic Math. It will open your eyes.

Math Mammoth has a lot of wonderful information on learning the arithmetic tables.

Why Your Child Can't Understand Math

My search of good math material has been most frustrating. I have never felt that the typical math adoptions were effective, but  was at a lost as to how to improve things. Recently I have come upon a very perceptive article by Jerry Schnell which sheds much light upon this universal problem. I hope you will take the time to read through this article and look at the other information provided by this unique web site. The site address is: Why Your Child Can't Understand Math.

 Multiplication Matrix

My good friend, Charlie Richardson, recently sent me a Multiplication Matrix that he and his wife developed to help students learn their multiplication table. He has given me permission to publish it here. The Matrix should prove very valuable in math classes around the world. Here is is in Adobe format: Multiplication Matrix. 

AAA Math - Interactive Math Skills Site

Recently I came across a very useful, interactive math site: AAA Math. I highly recommend that parent and teachers direct their students to this site to help improve their calculation skills.

Teaching Tables

Recently I happened upon a very helpful interactive math site for learning the times tables. The program is available  for purchase, but there is a fully functional version on-line: TeachingTables.com.

Algebra - All the help you need - FOR FREE!

A high school student recently told me that he had improved his Algebra grades by studying the information on the Purplemaths web site. A brief visit to the sight makes it obvious that this is a true national educational treasure. Here is almost everything you need to know about Algebra. Click here: purplemaths.

For advanced studies in math, you will find www.cramster.com a very hepful source.

The unusual title of this valuable essay says a lot: In Defense of "Mindless Rote." Ethan Akin make a strong defense of the importance of learning lthe basics to automaticity. Here are some other excellent articles on the need for "overlearning" of basic skills: "Practice Makes Perfect: But Only If You Practice It Beyond the Point of Perfection."