MotherGoose Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Dd is doing Saxon 7/6. We have had our struggles with math in general, but we are sticking with Saxon. My question is specifically about the equations in there and correct expectations for an 11 year old. In 7/6, they have simple equatIons like 6x=18 or 10-n=3 Dd can get the correct answer without a problem, but writing out all the steps completely blows her mind. I know we must move to writing out all the steps, for sure. No need to convince me of that. However, my question is this: in the Saxon book and TM, there are never any examples of writing out the equation. It just shows the simple math necessary. I showed her how to write out the equation. So is writing out the equation something they show later? Is this some sort of developmental thing she's not ready for and Saxon doesn't expect her to do yet anyway? I found some samples of the Algebra 1/2 online and it shows detailed writing out of equations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 (edited) Those examples are definitely not beyond the developmental level of 11 yr olds. Those types of problems are often introduced at much younger ages. The simplest explanation would be to demonstrate that the = sign in an equation means that both sides must balance each other. You can draw a simple "teeter totter" balance with the pivot point under the =. Then simply demonstrate how if you perform an action on one side of the equation that you must perform it on the other side as well in order to keep the scale balanced. Start off with simple ones. N+2=5. To isolate n, subtract 2 from both sides. (N+2-2=5-2, n+0=3) 5*n=10 To isolate n, / both sides by 5 ((5*n)/5)=10/5), etc. For the example of 10-n=3, subtract 3 from both sides, 10-n-3=3-3, so 10-n-3=0 then add n to both sides, so 10-3=n, solve. Edited December 8, 2017 by 8FillTheHeart 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 What ^she said. :) We actually have a paper with a picture of a balance on it and manipulatives (Hands On Equations), but if you have a tablet of some sort in your house the Dragonbox app is fantastic at helping them see the relationship. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 My daughter is in 6/5 and I don't have her do all the writing it out yet. For something like 6m=18 I just ask her what times 6 equals 18? I approach it that way for her, she gets frustrated and overwhelmed easily, as the problems get more complicated we'll have to go more detailed with problem solving but for now this works. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherGoose Posted December 8, 2017 Author Share Posted December 8, 2017 Thank you all. So she can solve these equations with little trouble. She understands that process. The problem is the writing out of it, and I'm just not sure what Saxon is recommending at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importswim Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 I had the same issues with 7/6. I just assumed that later Saxon would teach all of the steps and ask for them to be written down. I wished they would have gone through it at this point. Unfortunately for me my son is an extreme rule follower and "because the book didn't tell me to do the balancing on each side that's not what they're asking me to do." :cursing: I'm also hoping you get some answers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherGoose Posted December 8, 2017 Author Share Posted December 8, 2017 Later Saxon teaches the steps. Right now it is merely intuitive. That seems to make sense. I mean Saxon is so completely laid out for you, they even write down how 4 plus 4 is eight, so I can't figure out how they are omitting writing out the equations. Over the last couple of months I have gone from being a hard nose about writing it out, to then thinking I was unduly traumatizing my child into hating equations and Saxon didn't actually mean for her to write them out because that's not what's in the TM, to hearing how my public school and homeschool friends do have their kids write out the equations, and I am confused. Please other Saxon folks chime in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importswim Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 That seems to make sense. I mean Saxon is so completely laid out for you, they even write down how 4 plus 4 is eight, so I can't figure out how they are omitting writing out the equations. Over the last couple of months I have gone from being a hard nose about writing it out, to then thinking I was unduly traumatizing my child into hating equations and Saxon didn't actually mean for her to write them out because that's not what's in the TM, to hearing how my public school and homeschool friends do have their kids write out the equations, and I am confused. Please other Saxon folks chime in. I have been through the exact same process. If Kinsa says that they teach it later that makes me feel better. I have, like you, just dropped having DS write them out. I will make him do so later when they teach the "why" of things (though my preference would be to just introduce the "why" first...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Later Saxon teaches the steps. Right now it is merely intuitive. This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherGoose Posted December 9, 2017 Author Share Posted December 9, 2017 I emailed Art Reed, who does the Saxon DVDs. Although I don't think I will wait until she discovers the need to write out equations herself, I feel better about not doing it NOW. The Math 76 textbook starts the introduction to simple algebra phrases, equations and concepts. By time the student's reach the algebra 1/2 book or the early parts of the algebra 1 book, they either have figured out they need to write down the necessary data and equations or admit they are a literature major and not suited for math. As long as you do not award partial credit on the weekly tests and score each test question as worth five points - of which all parts must be correct to get those five points - the student will quickly learn that they must be able to separate the essential data from the non-essential data and record what is necessary to solve the problem correctly. Learning the basic simple concepts in the Math 76 book is more important than recording everything one believes necessary for the solution - as some students still do much of the basic computations in their head as they do not feel the need to write it down - yet! Mr. Reed www.usingsaxon.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.