Cons: Some kids might find the format a bit boring.
The Bottom Line: Need to teach the basics of subtraction? Homeschooler looking for a math supplement? Check out Garlic Presses Subtraction workbook for challenges and improving subtraction skills.
Freak369's Full Review: S. Harold Collins - Subtraction
Some facets of math are pretty boring, I was never really that thrilled when I had to sit down and do subtraction problems when I was in school so I wanted to make sure that my boys had a better time with the learning process than I did. Part of that included early learning, games and books like Garlic Presses Subtraction to make sure that the basic skills were covered. Homeschooling is never the same with each child and all of the boys have different learning curves but having books like this makes sure that they are up to speed as well as giving you an advanced warning if they are having trouble with certain numbers or sequences. The one thing to know about this workbook before you purchase it is that it is a bit boring. It’s basically pages and pages of subtraction problems, no graphics or word problems, but horizontal and vertical math.
Program Set Up
The different sections of the book are broken up in to assessment test – beginning and final, practice and review sheets and sectional diagnostic tests. The exercises are organized into relative groupings so the first few pages of the practice and review sheets might be a bit too easy for kids that have had a little exposure to subtraction. The beginning assessment test covers problems ranging from 4-3 to 18-9 to give you a feeling of where your child is on the scale. Then you are given sections based on groupings with each number getting two pages, one page for vertical and one page for horizontal problems. As an example the first two exercise pages are for 0 and 1 with problems like 10-0 and 6-1. After 0 and 1 are explored each number [2 through 9] has two pages dedicated to each. Each page has 100 subtraction problems so if you are working with younger kids you might want to try a half page a day for the first few days so they don’t fell overwhelmed. After you cover 0, 1, 2 and 3 there is a two page diagnostic test [one vertical, one horizontal] with 100 problems that quiz the previous learned information.
There are diagnostic tests every few sections that help to reinforce what a child has just covered but this can also be used to see if there are some numbers that they are having trouble with. If you find that they are getting stuck with certain numbers you can have them work on those by having them redo a few pages or add some flash cards to the program. This is one of the main reasons that I photocopied the pages of the book so that if any of them needed to rework a section, the copies would be right there for them. The last few sections of the book have the largest problems like 17-10, 18-9 and 17-9. These are the toughest ones in the book and might take a little longer for kids to complete so please don’t rush them through them if they are taking a little longer than usual. The final assessment test covers all of the material learned in the workbook however there is only one sheet for the final assessment
Things To Know
This workbook shouldn’t replace basic learning and fundamental applications of subtraction but rather it should be used for drilling a child about the process. I used this book about three times a week to make sure that my sons were learning all the different areas of basic subtraction. Because there aren’t any cute graphics or designs, they we able to stay focused on the problems and working to getting all of them solved. I don’t suggest trying to set a time limit on the pages since this might overwhelm a child and make them feel pressured into completing the page, which might result in them getting more than a few wrong answers. As my sons got better at subtraction they would often try to see who could finish the pages first with the least amount of wrong answers.
In the back of the book there is an answer key, which you might want to remove if a child will be working directly from the book. In most cases only the answers are given in the answer keys so it does get a little difficult to try and match up the answers with the problems so if subtraction isn’t your thing, use a calculator to check the answers if the answer key proves to be too confusing to use. I opted to photocopy the pages and enlarge them a little so they would have a more room to write the answers. On the front flap of the book there are instructions about making photocopies of the material in the book and that teachers and parents have permission to make copies. The book was originally published in 1986 however subtraction hasn’t changed much over the years so everything in the workbook is still accurate.
The pages are thick so a child can use markers, pens or pencils without having to worry about them bleeding through to the other pages. Since I photocopied most of the pages for the boys to use, this was never an issue but if you are only using this for one child, they can use whatever writing tool they feel most comfortable with. The pages aren’t perforated so you might want to cut them out to avoid having the other pages toward the end of the book fall out and get lost.
The Bottom Line
This was a great workbook that really helped my boys get the basics of subtraction. If you are a homeschooler this is a must have book to make sure that your child is getting a well rounded albeit basic introduction to the subject. When combined with other elements of mathematics this workbook will make sure that your child is getting the basics as well as reinforcing them so further math endeavors will be easier to learn and retain. This would also make a great supplement to a mainstream educational learning plan or if a child is having trouble with subtraction in school. You can add a half or whole page to their daily homework to help them out with any subtraction troubles they may be having.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.