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Math Boxes Curriculum

Publisher: JoyceHerzog.com Author: Joyce Herzog Review last updated: November 2010

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Joyce Herzog is producing a very unusual math program. The first level, can be used for early learning through kindergarten or first grade, or for remedial work. It’s designed to teach basic math skills rather than cover a grade level program. It teaches numeral recognition, numeral word recognition, counting, and addition and subtraction facts up through 10. It does so with an amazing variety of hands-on activities, games, interactive sessions, flashcards, and worksheets.

My Box of Ten includes a “Math Coach’s Binder;” a plastic storage box with 18 compartments filled with trinkets, dice, and other learning devices; and a “Number Cruncher.”

The Math Coach’s Binder is much more than a teacher’s manual. It weighs about 2.5 pounds! While it does have all of the how to teach information in the first part, it also has reproducible worksheets; flashcards (to be cut out); three laminated game boards; spinners; plastic pockets; laminated “Turn N Learn” sheets (for practicing and self-checking math facts); and a sheet of magnets with numbers, numeral words, and domino patterns.

The Number Cruncher is a cute little box that encloses an abacus-like rod with ten beads that is used in a number of ways.

My Box of Ten,The plastic box has at least 200 items, with ten of each in most cases. Items includes a number line, stones, winks, both mini and standard size popsicle sticks, plastic doves, links, threaded beads, smiley faces, foam cut outs, puff balls, three specialized dice, a magnetic board mounted to the lid, and a few other trinkets. These are small items that might be dangerous around young children, so you wouldn’t want to use this kit too early. Also, the smallest items might be hard for children with poor small motor coordination to handle. In such cases, simply use the items that work for your child and skip those that don’t. While there are worksheets, you need not use them if you have a child who is not ready for the paper and pencil work.

This strikes me as a grab bag of tools and ideas for teaching math skills rather than a curriculum. You should familiarize yourself with the set, then select whatever seems appealing and useful to use with your child. Items can be used in whatever sequence you choose. Some might be used over and over, and others seldom or never. While some parents will love the plethora of choices, some might feel overwhelmed with too many options. So keep this in mind if you are the type who likes things neatly structured and pre-organized for you.

My Box of Ten seems most appropriate for use with four- and five-year old children, although I can see where it might be great for the older child who has not mastered basic concepts. This is so different from a traditional math program that it could bring about a complete change in attitude for a child who has struggled with math.

References to My Box of Twenty as the next step indicate that the next level of Math Boxes is under development.

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