More About Our Algebra for Kids Homeschool Math Course
Welcome to Algebra for Kids homeschool math lessons!
Bob Hazen, Algebra for Kids lesson designer, states, “Now that summer’s over, I take off my hat of doing our SAI (Summer Algebra Institute for Kids) “camps.” We just finished our 20th summer at SAI of teaching substantive algebra to kids as young as third grade. In SAI, we use color, shape, size, texture, music, and manipulatives to show kids how to do algebra that is normally not seen until a regular Algebra 1 course in 7th or 8th grade (or even older)!”
In his programs, Mr. Hazen identifies a handful of principles that reveal the unity of mathematics across grades and across topics. One of the principles that he has identified—which appears in the worksheets offered inside these Algebra for Kids homeschool math lessons—is the Skip Counting Principle. The Skip Counting Principle is the grand idea regarding the ability of counting in groups: counting in multiples of a number, such as “5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 . . . ” The skill of skip counting connects with and reinforces—and can be a solid foundation for—almost every area of elementary arithmetic: basic addition facts, basic multiplication facts, factors, divisors, multiples, common multiples, common factors, common denominators, number sense, operation sense, algebraic factoring, and even prime numbers and composite numbers.
These worksheets are recommended for third and fourth graders, but younger students can “stretch up” and achieve these concepts, and this is excellent work, as well, for older students (fifth and sixth graders) who still need to achieve some basic skills.
A final note: the skill of skip counting can so easily be enhanced by the use of skip count songs that kids listen to and gradually memorize. At Bob Hazen’s website, www.AlgebraForKids.com, there are two different skip count song CDs available. Each CD has a unique set of lyrics and melody for each of the numbers 2 through 10. (These songs aren’t necessary for acquiring the skill of skip counting, but they can prove helpful. The CDs are not free and are not a part of this course at SchoolhouseTeachers.com.)
Enjoy these worksheets from Algebra for Kids!