Abacus Mind Math Level 1 Workbook 1 of 2: Excel at Mind Math with Soroban, a Japanese Abacus (Abacus Mind Math - Level - 1 Complete Set: Instruction Book, Workbook 1 of 2, Workbook 2 of 2) Paperback – June 1, 2014

I searched the internet high and low for a practical book that would help me teach the Soroban-the search is over! Abacus Mind Math is the best resource I have found, and we use it everyday! Not only is it great on its own, but I had some questions and I called the author (She put her contact info in the book). She is extremely nice and spoke with me until I had all my questions answered. She is currently writing the next book in the series.Regarding content: It is sequential, easy to use, and comes with lots of practice problems.Regarding my method (incase you're new to soroban or are looking for other ideas): We homeschool 2 girls (5 &3). I have my oldest do about 40-50min of practice 4 times a week. I DON'T have her practice 40-50 min straight. I break it up into 3-4 segments throughout the day. The segments are listed below:Segment 1: I have her do 10 problems on her own sitting at the table, good posture, and using proper technique. She reads the problem out of the workbook, keeps her finger on the number she is on, and with her other hand she is moving the beads accordingly. Then she writes the answer in the book. After 10 problems, she is off to play!Segment 2: After a good break for play 20-30 min or so, I start segment 2. This time I hold the book and she is just sitting with her soroban at the table. I read the same problems to her that she had just done (I check her work at this time, too; I also modify the speed I say the numbers-just to keep her on her toes...or fingers in this case!). And she is off to play!Segment 3: Mental math time! Again, I have the book and now she is sitting at the table with no soroban in front of her. I ask her the same problems, only this time she has to do them in her head. We weren't having much progress at first but the author told me to make sure she is pretending like the soroban is right in front of her and that she is pretending to move the beads with her fingers; not boisterously-like in the youtube videos, but just like they normally would if the soroban was right in front of them. It's still a struggle, but she has improved and is definitely getting better.Here are a couple bonus segments that I do:1) I play a game called BIG friends. I say a number, like 4 and she will say 6 (b/c when you put them together they equal 10)2) I play a game called SMALL friends. I say a number, like 4 and she will say 1 (b/c when you put them together they equal 5)This skill will be important down the road when we encounter carry problems.3) Just have them count.4) Review the place values (each rod corresponds to a place value: ones, tens, thousands, etc) I will also write a number and ask her what place value is each number in.5) I will roll some dice and just keep adding or start form a real high number and then we will start subtracting.My personal thoughts:I bought Saxton math and their big box of manipulatives and have not touched them. I will eventually use Saxon; however, I have no idea when that will be, because the goal is arithmetic proficiency, and the soroban can handle it all. I have many friends that use Math U See, and I think that it is a better program at this early stage, but again why use all those different manipulatives when you can use one-the soroban. I picture the soroban like a musical instrument- that they will eventually be able to play in their minds. Remember the name of the book: Abacus MIND MATH. Watch some youtube videos of the Japanese or Indian students demonstrating their speed and accuracy with their mental soroban.Stay consistent and keep practicing! Just do a little bit everyday and you will see great results!

This series of books are everything the other 5 star reviewers say it is and more.All of the SAI Speed Math Academy books are well written, nicely illustrated, easy to read, follow and understand. They are all well worth the price paid.It is very difficult to find a good book for learning how to use the abacus and it is next to impossible to find any information on how to learn Anzan - the secrets of mental speed math.SAI Speed Math Academy has done a great job of making all this information available in this series of lessons that make learning easy and fun.This book is a workbook - a weekly series of daily math problems and mental exercises. The instruction books are very important because they cover the "how to do it" part of the course with easy to follow - step by step instructions.I highly recommend all of these SAI Speed Math Academy books.

I bought the workbooks for all 3 levels. The instructions were clear. I contacted the author just to clarify some points, and the author was very helpful.But I got the Kindle version for all 3 levels of Abacus Mind Math Instruction Book since they were not consumable items.There are answers at the back of the workbook, but I suggest that parents use their own abacus and go through the exercises when reviewing their child's work.

This book is useless for an adult to learn soroban.It contains hundreds and hundreds of exercises without any explanation.The same day I have received this book,,I was so disappointed that ended to donate to my local library......

I love this series! You also must buy the instruction manual in order to be able to learn and teach using the abacus, but that is much more affordable than going to a center and paying $140/month. The lady who created it is very helpful--I had a question and she walked me through the answer. She was sort of a coach for me. Since I had not learned this way, and need help grasping the concept, her input was very valuable.

Very hard to find places that will teach abacus, and those that do charge an arm and a leg. But these books let you do it on your own. But please note that the instruction book comes separate (this is a workbook), hence the reviews complaining that this one doesn't teach you. Buy these books new and support the only outlet I've found that is empowering parents to teach abacus on their own.

Its a bummer you need to buy the teaching manual separately. Please just include more info in each book.

We just started it with 3 of my kids, the book is well made.I recommend