Abacus Mind Math Instruction Book Level 1

I bought this book in combination with both of the workbooks.This system has transformed the way my daughter views numbers, her capabilities and intelligence, her school experience, and our relationship. She has had trouble with number concepts and operations since she started school, and she is now third grade. We spent hours every night doing the one or two sheets of homework she was assigned. She didn't understand grouping, number lines, those drawings of blocks, lines and dots, the number machine--none of it. She tested "within normal range" at school, but anything she couldn't count on her fingers was difficult for her to comprehend. We dreaded homework every night, and more often than note one or both of us ended up crying. It was creating a rift--I felt so frustrated and powerless, and I lost my patience often. I was worried that she was reaching the age that she would fall behind the other kids, or she would just push it aside rather than struggle with it, with me. I knew i had to give her a different way to look at numbers.When I was in high school, someone came to our Japanese class one day and taught us how to use the soroban (abacus). I learned how to use it in about ten minutes, and I remember we were doing lots of different operations within the class period (not that I remember them now). So I found this system online, and purchased it, as well as a soroban.For a few weeks, she fought me--she didn't want to take the chance of failing at this too. But once she tried it, she got it in a snap. Within one session, she was able to use the abacus to add and subtract numbers she would have struggled with on paper, and would have been impossible for her to do in her head. We spent extra time on the abacus part, so that she was extremely comfortable and confident when we moved onto mental math. We have only been doing the mental math section 10-15 minutes a day, three days or so a week, and she can already add and subtract pretty much any non-carrying number less than 100--in a series of three to five equations (eg. 10+25-30+2-1+17). In her head! I have to use the abacus to keep up with her.I am so proud of her, and thankful for this system.

I didn't realize that in starting to teach my son (and myself) abacus, that he would need the ability to* read numbers 0-99* understand place numbers* write numbers.So, for now, we are using:* homemade number flash cards*  Place Value: Grade 1 (Flash Skills) * number writing worksheets found online* a homemade rekenrek using a cereal box, pipe cleaners, and pony beads* "Using the Rekenrek as a Visual Model for Strategic Reasoning in Mathematics" by Barbara BlankeI wish Abacus Math Mind offered a Level 0 book for those critical, early skills.

I just purchased the Level 1 & 2 Workbooks and Instruction books and after spending several days reading them, I must say I am very happy with my purchase.All of the books are well written, nicely illustrated, easy to read, understand and follow. They are all well worth the price paid. Just what I have been looking for to learn the abacus and mental math myself, so I can teach it to my grandson.Level 1 covers 20 weeks of instruction with daily exercises and Level 2 covers an additional 22 weeks of lessons with daily practice problems..The workbooks are just that - workbooks to be used for the daily exercises. The Instruction Books are very important because they cover the "how to" part of the course with easy to follow, step by step illustrated instructions.Before ordering I thought the prices for the instruction books were a little high, but after reading them I realized they were worth the price paid.By comparison, here in the SF Bay Area, there are private schools that teach the Abacus and Mental Math. The going rates are $17 to $20 for a once a week 1 to 1 1/2 hour class - plus additional charges for books and materials. Way too expensive for me.For just a fraction of that, I can purchase the Abacus Mind Math books and study whenever I want at home.Thank you Abacus Mind Math.

My seven year old son is partly through the level 1 workbook and we both like it. I am learning along with him and its fun to use the abacus to do math. It's a little harder for my old brain to do the mental math but my son prefers thr mrntal math to using the abacus. I like the step by step progression from one lesson, which takes one week to complete, to the next. The customer support is very good as well. They were very kind and helpful in answering my questions about when or how to use the sample problems in the instructor's guide as well (use as dictation problems) as when I should spend more time on one lesson. I will definitely use this program with my younger kids once they finish their kindergarten math.

I've purchased the three levels of this series teaching the Japanese abacus (soroban).I grew up, having been taught the use of the soroban.This book series has been quite valuable in the review of the abacus for myself and teaching it to my family.The instruction books and the workbooks for each level are well written with much practice to accompany each lesson.The multi sensory way of learning mathematics by means of the soroban makes a great impact upon your learning. Visual, hearing the problems, motor memory by moving the beads and sensory by means of your hands.Even if you've never used an abacus, the instruction books will help you to understand the theory and use before you teach it to your own children.

No complaints!

Very helpful and easy to use. Just stick with the process and it really works . . . even becomes fun! I used this in conjunction with the corresponding workbooks. Even got helpful email support from the author.

Very good book!

Nice, useful but pricey

Excelente libro con conceptos fáciles de explicar. Ayuda a tu hijo a entender los conceptos del ábaco japonés.Muy buena calidad de impresión y buenos contenidos.

Super