FindingMyWay Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 My 2nd grader (he's a very young 2nd grader, turned 7 in June) is struggling some with math. I *think* I have figured out that he needs a spiral or incremental math program with short lessons. So no CLE - four or five pages per lesson would freak him out in a big way. I'd prefer not computer-based, and teacher-intensive is okay. Any suggestions for math that would meet these criteria? Right now McRuffy is on my short list, but I'd really like some other options, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Horizons maybe. One worksheet front and back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I was going to suggest Horizons, as well. Saving my bacon here. McRuffy drove us over the edge. It was so random. Bob Jones is also just one page front and back per lesson but more mastery, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 MEP is spiral (not a tight spiral like some, but the spiral is there...), and it is a one sided worksheet. It was very good for one of mine who would shut down over the number of pages in other programs. ABeka is also spiral, and usually one (front and back) page per lesson in the younger grades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FindingMyWay Posted October 31, 2014 Author Share Posted October 31, 2014 Thanks everyone. Paradox5, I used McRuffy with my oldest in K and it drove me batty, too. :001_smile: The only reason I'm thinking about going back is because I thought the bright, colorful, short pages would work well with this boy. But I've been showing him samples and he really dislikes all the different types of problems on a page, so maybe spiral isn't what he needs after all. :confused1: Back to the drawing board, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rose Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I'm seconding MEP. The pages do not look intimidating. There are no full pages of drill. If one activity on the page is stressful at least the child will probably find one easy and encouraging. You can also make the worksheets less intimidating by following the teachers instructions for walking the child through the excersise. This usually hasn't been necessary for me but sometimes my math phobic daughter has benefited from sitting with her through the exercises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aludlam Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 We use CLE here, but I highlight problems that I want him to work. I loved horizons for many years, but the colorful pages would be too much of a distraction for my guy. Math-U-See is mastery based with review --- only throwing it out there because I LOVE the simple - not crowded- pages. Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korrale Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I haven't found anything that we like that spirals like CLE. Could you just cut the lessons in half? Or eliminate things that he doesn't need to practice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathermomster Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Maybe, take a look at MCP Level B. I scribe for about half of the problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aludlam Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Also, my kids had a terrible time with math until they learned their math facts. After much trial and error, I figured out a system that works for us. Along with their "regular" math book, they do Xtramath everyday. BUT, before the computer drills, they work handwritten worksheets (from me) based on the problems that they keep getting wrong on Xtramath. hth Angela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 When my daughter was like that, BJU worked very well (used for grades 1 and 2). She needed to know that 1 page (front & back) and she was done. There is not that much per page, and it also has a review section in every lesson that covers an older concept. Once she matured a bit, we switched to CLE and the long pages of independent work didn't bother her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FawnsFunnyFarm Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I have one who thrives on McRuffy, I have another who it moved too fast for and began using TT as soon as she could and is now confident and understanding math. I have no clue how one can think McRuffy is random, this is our 4th year with it for my 3rd grader and have never felt it was random. It's a nice spiral... but does move fast and has a lot of thinking activities in it that some kids just can't get (build the 4 pictures you see with cubes in 3D form). I would do the TT3 placement test. My DD placed firmly into 3rd after struggling through McRuffy grade 1... she missed grade 4 by 1 problem. We went with 3 to give her some confidence with math and it has worked wonders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FindingMyWay Posted October 31, 2014 Author Share Posted October 31, 2014 I really appreciate all the input, and I'm looking into all these mentioned. I do think knowing his basic facts better would help, and we are working on that. Part of the problem, too, is immaturity. So I guess time and patience will help with that ... I just would really like to find a math that doesn't reduce him to tears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 Have a look at CSMP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilBearsMama Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Seconding Spunky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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