Kindergarten Math with Confidence: Picture Books by Week, Math Concepts, and Easy Alternatives
Before using a formal curriculum, we did a lot of Montessori math from age 3 to 4. We also used Preschool Math at Home by Kate Snow, and it worked really well for my child. That’s why I decided to continue with Math with Confidence (MWC) curriculum long-term.
We used Kindergarten Math with Confidence with the help of hands-on manipulatives, especially Montessori-inspired materials, to help my child understand the concepts more concretely.
One thing I also appreciate about this curriculum is the use of picture books. Some books suggested in this curriculum may not be easily available locally. We choose alternative books that are more accessible and more suitable for my child’s level and interests. This is kinda extra and not necessary so here are some tips before you “feel pressured to get everything”. How did I know? Don’t ask me. 😆
💡 TIPS
- Don’t wait for “complete” or “perfect resources” before starting the lessons.
- Focus more on the concept than the exact book.
- Substitute with what you already have.
- Live it out. Nothing beats real-life application.
📌 NOTE
For the curriculum-suggested picture books, we still watch the read-aloud videos from Youtube. You know those days when you have little to no energy to homeschool? It usually happens to me on Fridays (I should say every Friday), also before and during red days. IYKWIM🩸 That is when I flash these educational videos so I can take a rest. 😁
KEY
🎥 We watched a read-aloud video of the MWC-suggested picture book (linked the video below for reference), no physical copy available
📚 We read (multiple times) a physical copy of the MWC-suggested picture book for that week; photo available in this post for reference
🔖 Substitute book
❌ Did not read, also not available online
These are the picture books used to support specific math concept each week:
Week 1
Matching, pairs, early sorting
🔖 Mathstart: A Pair of Socks
Week 2
Understanding zero
📚 Zero is the Leaves on the Tree
Week 3
Counting (1–10), number sense
📚 Ten Black Dots
Week 4
Counting in everyday context
📚 Lyle Walks the Dogs
I only have the treasury book which includes this title.
Week 5
Sorting and classifying
🔖 Mathstart: Circus Shapes
Week 6
Introduction to shapes
📚 When a Line Bends…A Shape Begins
Week 7
Identifying shapes in real life
Any easy to find book about shapes will do.
Week 8
Symmetry
❌ What is Symmetry in Nature?
🔖 Mathstart: Let’s Fly a Kite
Week 9
Directions/positions (left/right)
Week 10
Recognizing patterns
Week 11
Comparing sizes, measurement
📚 Actual Size
Week 12
Counting, simple data tracking
My son loved it so much, he even requested to watch the other read aloud videos from this series.
- Albert Doubles the Fun (A math story about doubling)
- Albert the Muffin-Maker (Understanding of ordinal numbers)
Week 13
Counting through patterns
📚 Birdsongs
Week 14
Counting, intro to addition
🔖 Ten Shiny Snowflakes
Week 15
Understanding addition
Week 16
Addition strategies
I wish I had a physical copy of this book.
Week 17
Number bonds, composing numbers
Week 18
Counting to 20, number order
🎥 Twenty Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street
🔖 Let’s Count It Out, Jesse Bear
Week 19
Counting 1–20
🔖 Let’s Count It Out, Jesse Bear (read this book a lot)
Week 20
Tally marks, tracking data
Week 21
Comparing height
🎥 How Tall? Ways to Compare Height
🔖 Are You Big?
Week 22
Comparing weight
🎥 How Heavy? Wacky Ways to Compare Weight
Week 23
Introduction to subtraction
Week 24
Subtraction symbols and meaning
Week 25
Subtraction practice
Week 26
Counting backward, subtraction
📚 How Many Feet in the Bed?
Week 27
Skip counting by 2s
🎥 Eggs and Legs: Counting by Twos
Week 28
Skip counting by 10s
🎥 Toasty Toes: Counting by Tens
Week 29
Seasons, months, passage of time
📚 The Year at Maple Hill Farm
Week 30
Introduction to telling time
🎥 What Time Is It, Mr. Crocodile?
🔖 The Berenstain Bears: On Time
Week 31
Telling time practice
📚 Telling Time with Big Mama Cat
Week 32
No new book: Review and revisit favorite reads
To make things easier, I’ve also created a dedicated Goodreads shelf with all the recommended books in one place. You can browse the collection, read the descriptions, and save any titles you’d like to add to your own “Want to Read” shelf.
But again, it’s not about having the exact books, or any math picture books at all. It’s about understanding the concept. When learning is seen, practiced, and applied in real life, it sticks. 🙂
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