Review–TouchMath PreK (TOS Review)

TouchMath is a multisensory program that uses its signature TouchPoints to engage students of all abilities and learning styles.
We gave the Preschool Program a try, and can I say I LOVE it!!??  Let me tell you why.  The Preschool Program (pictured above) is available as a download and costs $59.95. 
I am a strong supporter of manipulatives in Early Education Math, Touch Math has several very UNIQUE manipulatives.  In addition to their unique manipulatives, instructions for adding your own manipulatives are included with the guide; making this a very versatile program.  This is the ULTIMATE math curriculum for TACTILE learners!
I was able to adapt it easily with the unit studies we already had planned, incorporating the topic into the daily math lessons! 
We received the following OPTIONAL, but RECOMMENDED manipulatives for our review: (descriptions from the website)

6” 3-D Numerals, Activity Booklet with reproducible masters and lots of ideas included.  Cost $79.00

The TouchShapes, 108-piece set features six different multi-size/multi-color shapes (circle, square, rectangle, triangle, rhombus, and hexagon). Cost $30.00

The Math Fan set is a multi-faceted teaching tool that contains the following components:

Two sets of 1–10 Fans
Ten 10 Blocks
One 100 Block
A comprehensive CD containing an 80-page PDF with Teaching Strategies, Lesson Plans, and Student Worksheets
Cost $239.00

 
Ten eye-catching 8 1/2” x 11” posters,  Cost $43.00

Includes five sets of cards (45 cards), each with its own texture and theme — Shapes, Fruit, Forest Animals, Sea Life and TouchPoints. Cost $99.00

Ten high-intensity 11” x 17” posters help students connect a numeral with the quantity it represents. Cost $53.00

I already said it, but I really LOVE this program!  I’m sure many of you are looking at the prices and are taken back a bit.  This is definitely more than I would spend on a single subject curriculum, and I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels this way.  Keep in mind the manipulatives are NOT REQUIRED for this program; however, I do feel that they make up a big part of what makes this program so great.  With that said, of the recommended manipulatives, I would say the 3D numerals and the Touch Shapes are MUST HAVES; the Math Fans and Texture Cards as NICE TO HAVES; and the Posters are extras.  These recommendations are based SOLELY on the PREK program.  The Math Fans appear to be even more useful when mastering concepts in higher grades, such as fractions and money. 

As previously mentioned the text also has recommendations for hands on lessons using your own manipulatives of choice – toys, rocks, cotton balls, etc…  as pictured below.

 
(L)Counting frogs with number cards (R)Identifying heavy and light using a rock and a cotton ball.

Each lesson has introductory hands on lessons, the worksheets are designed to show mastery of the concept, and are last in the lesson progression.
Completing a worksheet demonstrating equal, more and less

Using Touch Fans for counting one-to-one correspondence, to show how many circles are on his worksheet

Using the Touch Shapes to show one-to-one correspondence (the Touch Shapes would also be great to use on a light table!) 

Touch Point Posters, laminated and on display

Identifying Shapes and Numerals with Texture Cards 

Identifying sizes – Tall and Short  
Using 3D Numerals to identify the number of animals on his worksheet

Using Touch Shapes to identify Large and Small 
We are definitely continuing with this program, and will be considering it for future grades as well for my middle son!  I highly recommend it for tactile learners, particularly early elementary grades, or those with learning disabilities.  You can’t really put a price tag on successful programs!
My 4yo was having trouble with numeral recognition, this program helped him!  He has done very well with the lessons, he enjoys them, and wants to do them!