Math Sequence for an average kid

[Daisy]

We have struggled a bit with math. I've used Singapore and Rod & Staff and I'm finally just sticking with R&S math for her.

 

She's 11yo and our goal is to finish the grade 6 R&S math by Fall 2011. She's more than 2/3rds of the way done with the grade 5 book & we are testing out of some material. She's technically in 6th so we are a little behind. She had to back up after doing Singapore math for 18 months, but as I said she is able to test out of some of the chapters in R&S.

 

So, how do I proceed? She has absolutely NO interest in a math field but she will be completing at LEAST the minimum requirements for college admissions.

 

In CA, most kids take algebra in 8th grade and while I'm not really pushing for that, it would make me happy. Oh, and we do math year round.

 

So can you give me some ideas of how you would tackle a math sequence for a child who is average in math ability?

 

Do we work R&S all the way through the 8th grade book? Do I transition to something else? WHAT? I'm overwhelmed just looking at the choices.

[elegantlion]

Do you have any idea what you might want to use for high school? It might be a good idea to start there (easy to say I know) and work backward in their sequence. I know Lials, Foersters, Jacobs, and Saxon are some of more common high school texts.

 

A few years ago in our area the advanced kids were taking algebra in 8th, most took in 9th. So even if she didn't take algebra until 9th, you'd still have time for 3-4 high school level classes.

[Daisy]

Do you have any idea what you might want to use for high school? It might be a good idea to start there (easy to say I know) and work backward in their sequence. I know Lials, Foersters, Jacobs, and Saxon are some of more common high school texts.

 

A few years ago in our area the advanced kids were taking algebra in 8th, most took in 9th. So even if she didn't take algebra until 9th, you'd still have time for 3-4 high school level classes.

 

I have absolutely no clue. My brother used Saxon. I used Abeka or BJU in private school (I can't even remember which it was but it was obviously adequate because I clepped out of maths in college). I say that only because those are what I'm familiar with.

 

Sigh, I don't even know where to start looking.

 

I'll mention this also. What she understands, she really understands. She has mastered all the facts and is doing very well with fractions/decimals/ratios. She just has to have a lot of practice and repetition before the light bulb goes off.

Edited December 5, 2010 by Daisy

[SilverMoon]

We use R&S math. My plan for my ds who struggles to stay on grade level is to have him finish the R&S math series, and move him to Kinetic Books for algebra. KB is a computer program that will stop and reteach as mistakes are made, so he can't make incorrect habits.

 

R&S is in the process of writing algebra curricula right now, so you may not have to switch for quite awhile.

[Melanie]

We have struggled a bit with math. I've used Singapore and Rod & Staff and I'm finally just sticking with R&S math for her.

 

She's 11yo and our goal is to finish the grade 6 R&S math by Fall 2011. She's more than 2/3rds of the way done with the grade 5 book & we are testing out of some material. She's technically in 6th so we are a little behind. She had to back up after doing Singapore math for 18 months, but as I said she is able to test out of some of the chapters in R&S.

 

So, how do I proceed? She has absolutely NO interest in a math field but she will be completing at LEAST the minimum requirements for college admissions.

 

In CA, most kids take algebra in 8th grade and while I'm not really pushing for that, it would make me happy. Oh, and we do math year round.

 

So can you give me some ideas of how you would tackle a math sequence for a child who is average in math ability?

 

Do we work R&S all the way through the 8th grade book? Do I transition to something else? WHAT? I'm overwhelmed just looking at the choices.

 

We went with Saxon. My kids are slightly accelerated (9th grader in Advanced Math, 6th grader in Algebra 1) but neither one has even the slightest interest in math. It's just something they have to get out of the way so they can get to the good stuff, you know? Saxon seems to give them what they need to get the job done, but doesn't assume they want to play fascinating math games simply because they're fascinating. ;) (Oh, how I wish they wanted to play fascinating math games! But that's a complaint for another thread.)

 

Since you school year round, and since geometry is included in the algebra books, she would be able postpone algebra until 9th grade (after R&S) and still finish calculus by the end of high school if she so chooses.

[cheryl h]

We opted to make a change, and am really glad we did. My dd12 did Abeka (through 6th grade), then switched to Saxon 8/7 this year. She is not mathy by any means, but not behind either. We are finding the spiral in Saxon is just a hair slower than Abeka, so she is able to review more before moving on. She also isn't great at story problems, so we also do LOF Pre-Alg with Bio just 3 days a week. This has been a great combo for her and Saxon 8/7 will still prepare her for Algebra 1 next year for 8th grade. I highly recommend LOF for those who aren't enthusiastic about math. It makes it fun, or bearable, and honestly she loves to do LOF. You might have your dd do a placement test to see where she falls, you might be suprised. My dd10 placed into Saxon 7/6 after Abeka 4 and is doing great. In addition to the regular text, we invested in the Saxon Teacher CD's, and consider it a God-send. It works much like TT with the lesson, practice problems, etc. Each problem in the book has a lesson reference number so you can go back and review certain lessons if you get stumped. I don't recommend Saxon for the lower grades, but have loved it for the upper elementary/middle school levels.

[mom31257]

My dd is what I would call an average student, although, she can make good grades in it. I used BJU Math levels 4th-7th, then a public school 8th grade book last year as a pre-algebra course. I decided not to make her do Algebra 1 in 8th grade and continue other pre-algebra type work. In our state if you take Algebra 1 in 8th grade you have to take 4 higher maths in high school, not something like business math, and you need 4 credits to graduate. I didn't want to force her into calculus or an advanced statistics course. I have a math degree, so I could teach it, but I know it would be useless to her because she is so language/writing oriented.

 

Looking back, I wished that I had not used a mastery approach (BJU is and I believe R&S is, too). I think a spiral approach, such as CLE, would have benefited her. She is doing some of the 8th grade CLE LU's this year along with all of the LoF books that come before Algebra.

 

I am planning on offering an Algebra 1 course next year at my house since dd will be in it anyway. I am not sure what I'm going to use yet, so I'm researching it. I know I don't want Saxon from some personal experience teaching it in a co-op settting. Saxon teaches things in a different way and doesn't have enough practice problems in each lesson, IMHO. I taught the Advanced Math to a group of students. I would teach the Saxon way of doing a problem and after many questions and no understanding, I would teach the way I learned in my courses. Almost always, the students understood the latter way better and questioned why Saxon didn't teach it that way. There were even students who had used Saxon all the way through. Anyway, I know a lot of people like it, but I know it would not be a good fit for my children or me.

 

I know that CLE is testing their Algebra 1 this year, but it won't be out for next year. You might look at it when it comes out.

[Daisy]

I have the LoF books. The only issue has been that I'm trying to catch her up to grade level in R&S so I feel like I never have time for LoF. Do you think it is worth it to do LoF even if it means not catching up to grade level?

[elegantlion]

I have the LoF books. The only issue has been that I'm trying to catch her up to grade level in R&S so I feel like I never have time for LoF. Do you think it is worth it to do LoF even if it means not catching up to grade level?

 

We used the first two LOF as a supplement. We did them one day a week for a period of time. I wouldn't give up R&S to do LoF, at least not with the fractions or decimals & percents book.

[mom31257]

I have the LoF books. The only issue has been that I'm trying to catch her up to grade level in R&S so I feel like I never have time for LoF. Do you think it is worth it to do LoF even if it means not catching up to grade level?

 

I'm sorry. Dd isn't only doing LoF, but it's the first math she has willingly done. It's a good fit for her. She's even worked ahead because she wants to know what happens in the story. She is also doing some of the 8th grade CLE, but I don't think she will finish the whole year due to the fact that I want her to do more of the LoF than I planned. From what I understand the newer LoF Pre-Algebra books really focus on getting ready for word problems in Algebra.

 

I think your goal should be to have her ready for Algebra 1 by 9th grade, which actually gives you the rest of 6th, plus 7th and 8th. I think any child who struggles with math can benefit from a spiral approach like CLE. I've been very impressed with the 8th grade level. CLE has a math placement test here. You can actually print it out for free. Why not give it to her and see how she places? Then you could purchase just one or two of the light units and give them a try.

[Karen in CO]

I have the LoF books. The only issue has been that I'm trying to catch her up to grade level in R&S so I feel like I never have time for LoF. Do you think it is worth it to do LoF even if it means not catching up to grade level?

If R&S is working without a fight for her, then I'd not change it. There are lots of math programs that have merit, but none of that is more important than a program you are comfortable teaching, and she is comfortable learning.

 

Since you have LoF, you could either do a book between each R&S level or do it once a week instead of R&S. You already do math year round so you won't have a problem with time before 9th grade.

 

LoF is terrific, but make sure you set her up for success with it. She will need a solid hold on long division before she starts the fractions book.