Learning arithmetic is as easy as one, two, three...using the Robinson Method!
- Prepare your child by teaching him numbers, how to count, tell time, measure, and the concepts of the four basic operations using Ray's New Primary Arithmetic.
- Have your child memorize all his math facts, by quizzing himself with flash cards.
- Have your child work through a daily lesson of the Arithmetic Series, of your choice, solving his own problems.
According to Dr. Robinson, when a child begins his school day by working his math problems, he builds and reinforces his critical thinking skills, positively influencing the rest of the day's studies:
Robinson Rules and Procedures #7. Working about 30 math problems first thing every day.
...This emphasis on math with the help of the excellent Saxon series teaches them to think, builds confidence and ability to the point of almost error-free performance, and establishes a basis of knowledge that is essential to later progress in science and engineering.
It is also absolutely essential preparation for the non-quantitative subjects that do not require mathematics. The ability to distinguish the quantitative from the non-quantitative – the truth from error – fact from fiction – is an absolutely essential requirement for effective thinking. Otherwise one will tend to confuse independent, truthful thought with opinions based upon falsehoods and propaganda.
...It is essential to understand that physical truths are absolute and can be rigorously determined. This must be learned by actually determining absolutes. Mathematical problem solving is an excellent mechanism for doing this.
...As our population is increasingly made up of people who do not think logically and honestly about facts, our whole society enters a never-never land of irrationality where paganism is equated with Christianity; where lies are equated with truth; and where moral absolutes are equated with moral relativism...
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1. PREPARE
Parents can prepare to guide their children the Robinson way by watching this video from Our House:
The Robinson Curriculum Course Video # 6 - Math
You'd think math would be pretty straight forward: learn arithmetic, then progress in mathematics as you are able. But modern textbooks convolute the learning process with cartoon characters, false correlations, "new math", strange methods, and even social propaganda and immodest pictures.
Previously, I had recommended Ray's Arithmetic series, the well-known standard curriculum of the 19th century. However, I now suggest this later arithmetic primer:
First Year in Number, Hoyt and Peet, 1912
https://diyhomeschooler.com/first-year-in-number-free-ebook/
Why? It is not as antiquated as Ray's in word or example, nor does it include unnecessary information, such as English measurements no longer in use. Also, this text takes the guess work out of teaching a young child the four basic operations. As the DIY Homeschooler website points out, this book includes:
- Counting
- Addition and subtraction
- Measurement
- Fractions
- Time (including Roman Numerals)
- Money
- Multiplication and division
A few simple manipulatives are all that are needed:
- popsicle sticks
- blocks
- ruler
- coins
- clock with Roman Numerals, minute and second hands
Other optional helps:
100 Chart – free to print (a plain chart with squares avoids distractions)
Abacus with 100 Beads, Melissa and Doug, $12.21
After moving through this book with your first year student, he will have a thorough understanding of the four basic operations. He will then be ready to working memorizing his math facts:
2. MEMORIZE
At this stage, your child is ready to work on his own for several months, or as long as needed, memorizing all the math facts of the four basic operations using flashcards. Create your own flashcards according to the Robinson cards, shown here:
RC Math Flashcards, $96.00
“Math facts, learned by rote memory, form the foundation for all the quantitative thinking for the rest of a child’s life. This four box set of basic math facts is ideal for teaching a child introductory math facts. Includes Addition an Subtraction fact families up to 18, and Multiplication and Division fact families up to 12. After a child has learned this set of math facts by instant rote memory, and is a good reader, they are ready to start Saxon Math 5/4 using the Robinson Self-Teaching method.”
As an alternative, you can take advantage of the “triangle fact family” method of memorization.
Triangle Flash Cards: Addition and Subtraction; Multiplication and Division
If you create your own cards, be sure to include the addition/subtraction fact families all the way up to 18, as suggested by Dr. Robinson!
3. SOLVE PROBLEMS
Your child is now ready to apply what he has memorized. He will need to write his answers and work his problems in a notebook. A good technique is to use graph paper, since it helps the student keep numbers in the proper columns. Sherry Hayes has designed appealing arithmetic notebook pages you can print for free:
Arithmetic Notebook, Hayes
As the best self-guided curriculum, Dr. Robinson recommends Saxon Math, starting with Saxon 5/4. The Saxon books are an investment at about $130 each, though used copies can be found. Be sure to buy the editions of Saxon Math, available here:
Saxon Math Textbooks
These are the recommended books and editions:
- Saxon Math 5/4, 3rd Edition with Answer Key
- Saxon Math 6/5, 3rd Edition with Answer Key
- Saxon Math 7/6, 4th Edition with Answer Key
- Saxon Math 8/7, 3rd Edition with Answer Key
- Saxon Algebra 1/2, 3rd Edition with Answer Key and Tests
- Saxon Algebra 1, 3rd Edition with Answer Key and Tests
- Saxon Algebra 2, 3rd Edition with Answer Key and Tests
- Saxon Advanced Math, 2nd Edition with Answer Key and Tests
- Saxon Calculus, 2nd Edition with Answer Key and Tests
Notes on the various editions from the Robinson website:
There have been some changes with the editions. There are between 2 to 4 editions of these books. I will summarize the edition changes for each of these books.
For Books 54-87.
The changes in these books have mostly been formatting changes, and an increase in the length of the explanations. This has been a gradual change. The earlier books had shorter explanations, and a simpler format. This makes them a little better for self teaching, since the students have an easier time navigating the books. They also have introduced “Warm-up boxes” and “investigation lessons”. This complicates the format of the day and tends to waste time. We recommend that these boxes and investigation lessons all be skipped and the child just do the Practice and Problem Sets. We currently sell the latest editions of these titles because it is the only one available from Saxon. We highly recommend them, and as far as we know it is still the best Math program in print for this kind of learning. For most children they will be just as good. The main strength of Saxon is the problem sets. This part is still just as good. As long as the students are working the problem sets correctly, they will be fine.
For Algebra 1/2 through Advanced Math
The changes in these books are a little more mixed. They have improved some things and added a few lessons on various topics. The only major change that we don’t like, is the addition of calculator problems. They have also removed the trigonometry and logarithm tables because they can be found with a calculator. It is better for students to go all the way through the math course before starting to use these aids. When using later editions, at the very least calculator use should be confined to those problems for which it is absolutely necessary. It can be virtually eliminated by obtaining a set of trig and log tables. These can be readily printed off the internet.
Calculus
Calculus it the book that actually has the most changes. The first edition Calculus book is very good. However, it does miss subjects that are usually taught in last term of college level calculus course. Students who were taking the Calculus BC Advanced Placement test, usually had to learn a few things that were not taught in the books. A pair of teachers who were using the book, realized this and wrote the additional lessons needed to fill in the gaps. This was incorporated into the second edition, which is what is currently available. The only downside is addition of calculator problems in this book as well. However, the positives in this case far outweigh the negatives.
To Summarize, for Saxon 54-Advanced Math, any edition will usually work fine. However, the earlier editions are a little better. For Calculus the Second edition is better.
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ALTERNATIVE SERIES
School Arithmetic Series, Wentworth
https://diyhomeschooler.com/school-arithmetics-free-ebooks/Mom Delights Wentworth Arithmetic CoversEveryday Arithmetic Series, Hoyt and Peet
https://momdelights.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/wentworth-arithmetic-covers.pdf
https://howtohomeschoolforfree.com/everyday-arithmetic-book-1920s/