RightStart Math – Math Card Games – 5th Ed.

Many of the games require an AL Abacus, and others require printouts included in the appendix at the back of the book. Games are intended to provide a forum for developing concrete and mental work before paper work, minimize counting as a method for problem-solving, and improve logical thinking. Most games cannot be won if mistakes are made, so there is a method for detecting and correcting error as it occurs, not waiting for a week until a marked-up paper is returned to the student.

A section at the back includes 31 games originally only found in the RightStart curriculum guides. They’re fairly basic, though some require the AL Abacus or other supplements. A DVD provides instruction for fourteen of the games; it can be useful for getting started, but is by no means necessary.This is an incredibly versatile book, and while its methodology works best alongside the RightStart texts, you can use these games to supplement whatever math curriculum your children happen to be using. A great hands-on resource, Cotter’s book offers a much-needed dose of fun for an often dreary subject.