I need really good advice on math with my dd age 7.

[dorothy]

My dear dd age 7 is struggling in math. We have tried so many programs: MUS, Developmental, Singapore, Evan-Moor, Saxon and others. None of it clicks. Each problem seems like it is the first time she has seen it.

 

She is so ahead in every other subject - grammar, history, geography -- she has memorized every country on the globe and can't remember what 6 + 7 is. She is a fantastic reader and loves to learn. She is trying hard.

 

I do not know what to do. I need something simple and straightforward that will make the lightbulb go off in her head. Please help! We need it. Thanks.

[ArwenA]

What is your dd's learning style? That is a big part of making learning click, and having fun.

Games are often good, especially at a young age.

My 6yo who was struggling with math has fallen in love with Miquon. It follows a discovery approach which both she and I like.

[M in Canada]

You have tried so many programs that I don't really think that the program is what you need to change. I do like how Miquon uses cuisinaire rods and that has helped my kids learn the basic math facts rather painlessly, but you don't need a new program to use manipulatives. Just keep at her level and keep doing it. It should click eventually. Maybe you are so used to not having to spend to much time on anything with her and are spoiled a little.

 

The idea of playing games is the best of course, just make sure it is regular. The manuals of all the programs you have mentioned must have game suggestions. I am pretty cut and dry and stick to manipulatives and flash cards myself. It works in small doses.

[Linda...inOwasso]

Since she clearly doesn't have trouble memorizing I'm wondering why she would have such trouble with math facts?! I would think it might be the curriculum *if* she merely had difficulty with math computations, but if I'm understanding correctly she's having difficulty with both computations AND memorizing her math facts.

 

Could it be that you're changing curriculas too soon? Before she's had a chance to get comfortable with the presentation style? I have a dd7 as well and she is currently over half way through the Horizons 2 workbook. She does very well and I rarely have to help her understand a concept. However, she uses the Singapore PM over the summer and it does take a week or two of adjustment for her to understand the questions in the Singapore book. Once she gets the hang of the format, she's off and running.

 

Is it possible that you're jumping ship too quickly and your dd is simply not getting familiar with the style of presentation? I don't mean to imply that you're at fault in any way. I'm just trying to throw out possibilities and give you something to ponder. As for the basic addition/subtraction facts... I literally just drilled them daily with dd until she could recite them orally, on paper, in computations, etc... in the blink of an eye. I'm a firm believer in over-learning math facts.

 

Also, at the age of 7, I've noticed that sometimes my dd just doesn't seem to be "getting" a particular subject and I become frustrated and think the curricula isn't working, but if I just keep going for a while longer, all at once dd seems to grasp it. I don't know.... I just wish you the best of luck!!

[Trivium Academy]

I agree about learning style! I have a visual learner and I have to do certain things for her (dd7) in order for things to click. Somethings just take consistency and time as well. If you stress about it, she will too. Math copywork helped my dd7 plus I relaxed about the math facts. We stopped drilling and I haven't mentioned it since.

 

You can google 'learning styles' and get plenty of websites to help you, here's one http://www.learning-styles-online.com/

 

Cathy Duffy's book, 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum helped me with this when we first started, we've used Horizons Math successfully for two years now and I suspect we will through 6th grade. Cathy's book has learning style profiles and she organized curriculum by learning style- not to mention the teaching style quiz!

 

I hope this helps you find your answer.

[midwestbelle]

My girls have memorized enormous amounts of scripture, history sentences, science facts, skip counting, grammar lists, etc through Classical Conversations, but the math facts are a different story.

 

We used Horizons for K and I didn't like the spiral approach. Then we used Right Start for 1st grade and one of my girls was in tears at least a couple of times a week. Now we are using MUS. I don't know that the program is any better, but I have changed how I approach this whole math thing.

 

First, I started treating the math facts as a different subject. Each day we practice the math facts. Right now they are doing math fact copy work. I made up some sheets on the computer with the facts I want to focus on and they copy it 3x each, doing the same ones all week. I think someone on the board has put together a math fact copywork book that you could buy very reasonably. Some days they do great, other days I get a blank stare when I ask 2+3. I think it will just come with time and consistency.

 

We are learning them in "teams," as my girls like to call it

exp) 3+5=8, 8-3+5, 8-5=3.

 

I have also used the worksheets you can print off from the MUS website and sometimes the online drill, but my kids tend to fight over computer time, so I usually choose to not deal with that.

 

Then during the math lesson, I let them use the blocks. They understand how to do the problems, they just aren't ready to put the blocks away. One dd has trouble with Mr Demme's math "tricks" but she can see it with the blocks. One dd is all business with her math, the other dances the blocks around and introduces them to each other and takes FOREVER. I'm working on letting it go and relaxing.

 

I don't know how helpful this is to you, but I at least wanted to let you know you're not alone. You just need to decide which program you are comfortable sticking with, and stick to it. She'll catch on.

[Lori D.]

... Your daughter is only 7 -- still young! Girls often develop math skills later than boys, while boys develop language arts skills later than girls. Sometimes their timetables are very individual. One of my sons has really struggled with writing and spelling. Honestly, it was not until after he was 12yo that a lightbulb clicked on in those areas. Still below grade level in both areas now at 14yo, but he is catching on and catching up. He also struggled with math, and that didn't click until about age 10.

 

I sincerely doubt it will take that long for your daughter to "click" with math. : ) But certainly understanding her learning style will help you find a math that presents the topics in a way she is most likely to connect with. Keep it simple and gentle. Review a lot. Use a lot of manipulatives and games. If she gets stuck on a particular math topic in your "spine" math program, set it aside and go with something else for a day, a week or a few weeks (like geoboards or pattern blocks and a matching "Math Discoveries with..." booklet or other little booklet). If she really hits a mental block, set math aside for the morning and try again after lunch -- or the next day. Little by little, with patience and gentle perseverence, the 2 of you *will* make it!

 

Blessings and warmest regards, Lori D.

[dorothy]

use the math copywork. I think she will like that. :)

[Capt_Uhura]

Have you tried using an abacus from Rightstart? It really helps the kids to see the math facts. The RS abacus is different from others. It has 5 blue beads and 5 yellow beads on a rung. So 6+7 can be quickly seen as 5+5+3. You can get the RS card games books which is a great supplement for any program.

[Trivium Academy]

I have the Right Start Math Games for sale at the Sale/Swap board btw, if anyone is interested.

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1278

 

It contains an abacus with all the games, game book and the place value cards.

[Donna T.]

It's very likely that she just needs a little time. Some of the moms that I know don't even start math at all until third or fourth grade. For K and 1st, my oldest son just played games (like Uno, Yahtzee, Sum Swamp and other commercially produced games), played with puzzles, maze and dot to dot books, glued beans to popsicle sticks (to make tens bars), made patterns with blocks and buttons, sorted rocks according to their attributes, listened to me reading math books that we got from the library, memorized skip counting songs using One Hundred Sheep Skip Counting tape, and worked very basic addition and subtraction worksheets using beans, played dominoes... etc. We started MUS in 2nd grade and he did fine with it, but it really wasn't until the beginning of 3rd grade that the math lightbulb went off for him. He now is doing great and really likes MUS. He is very smart and gifted in some areas, he just needed some extra time for math to click.