ShillerMath Montessori Approach to Education
ShillerMath has been a saving grace in our homeschool. We tried all manner of math curricula before I was drawn to ShillerMath at a Teach Them Diligently convention. Nothing worked quite right for Mr. T. He was at a point of despising math and we ended every math lesson with both of us in tears. We used many Montessori methods during his early childhood years so I was interested in how math curricula could use those techniques of visual, tactile, auditory, and kinesthetic to make math enjoyable for my young scholar. It has been incredible. It is quite common for us to finish anywhere from 6 to 10 lessons every day because the boys do not want to stop!
When ShillerMath introduced their Language Arts Kit for ages 3-5, I was delighted to partner with them to learn more and to show it to you.
What’s in ShillerMath Language Arts Kit
Here’s our unboxing video where Mr. F helped me open and explore our Language Arts kit!
Here is the description from the ShillerMath site: Reading, writing, spelling, phonics, grammar, and typing for 3 to 5-year-olds. Uses the same, proven methodology found in ShillerMath Math Kits I, II, and F. Includes 4 lesson books covering 2 years of language arts, 28 language arts song downloads that integrate with the lessons, Mother Goose Rhymes, grain for small hand letter writing, 22 in. x 34 in. work mat, (10) pink and blue Montessori Shapes with knobs and matching bases, Play-Doh, movable alphabet, and 8 large crayons. Over $200 if purchased separately. Includes free downloads of lessons and manipulatives for 5 years.
ShillerMath Language Arts is Open and GO!
Open and go curriculum is scripted. In the simplest terms, you open to your current lesson, read the script and proceed through the activities. For moms with multiple children, this is an excellent option. You are already spending time planning lessons for older children. Your younger charges having a curriculum that is beautifully put together and already scripted out takes the pressure off of you and allows more freedom in your daily structure.
ShillerMath Language Arts uses classic Mother Goose Stories.
The manipulatives are simple, fun, and easy to keep up with in their sturdy box. Our box fits neatly inside the square cubby of our bookshelf alongside our ShillerMath kit. We love having a mat just for the subject of Language Arts. Having a routine and a set work area helps keep my boys on task and sets up the expectation of cooperation and focus. This is really helpful with special needs and gifted/intense kids who need solid boundaries.
We are having a lot of fun with our ShillerMath Language Arts Kit and will be updating you soon with a full review of how it is working for Mr. F.
Did you continue this program? For how long? What are your thoughts?
Hi Ashley! We used Shiller Langauge Arts for a few more months after this review, but my little one zoomed through it so we moved on to higher level programs. He’s about to turn 7 now and reading at a second grade level and doing math at a third grade level, but the foundations from this program were solid and helped him a lot. It’s a solid program and I think most kids would do really well with it. I don’t think it would have worked for my oldest with dyslexia, though.