Mandamom Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 I need some opinions. I have a soon to be 9th grader, soon to be 7th grader and soon to be 6th grader that I will be working with (as a tutor). Homeschool mom really wants me to help her in getting her kids caught up, particularly the oldest, to about where they should be and is interested in ideas and recommendations. None of the three know how to add, subtract, mutliply or divide fractions and mixed numbers or decimals. They don't know area and volume and other basic concepts. They also struggle with two digit multiplication and long division concepts. Here's my idea... I will work with the 3 several times per week on multiplication and division concepts and practice fractions and decimals. But given that I only have limited time with them also have them each go through the Keys to...fractions, decimals, measurement and percents (the youngest will move slower than her older brothers) and aim for the oldest to possibly finish the books by the end of the summer. In addition, have each of them go through something like a Math Minute program completing 1 worksheet per day, which should take about 10 minutes per day at most. This would cover additional concepts they need (area, volume and additional fractions, etc). At the end of summer, re-test and have them take a placement test into a complete homeschool program like CLE or A Beka maybe or even Saxon which is what they are currently using. Does that sound like too much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallory Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 (edited) What about something like Lial's BCM? The rest of that sounds rather expensive and involved. You could skip each child to what they needed. Just thinking some more- If I were doing this, I would assume that I would have to be, not only creative, but make sure those basics were down solid. And something like Lial's would give me an outline to follow, leaving me more time to focus on the specific needs of the children. and not get all tangled up in the paperwork. Edited June 10, 2009 by Mallory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 How many days a week will you be working with them, and for how long? It actually doesn't sound like too much to me, if they are cooperating with your efforts by putting some effort in also! This is stuff they NEED to learn by this age, and even if it's tough, they will thank you later for bringing them up to speed! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandamom Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 How many days a week will you be working with them, and for how long? It actually doesn't sound like too much to me, if they are cooperating with your efforts by putting some effort in also! This is stuff they NEED to learn by this age, and even if it's tough, they will thank you later for bringing them up to speed! :) I hope so :). I will be working with the 3 children, two hours per week total. Monday evenings i"ll work with the oldest and the youngest and later in the week I'll spend another hour working with the oldest and the middle. Each will be individualized. I'll definitely check out Lial's and see if that is something mom can afford and wants to do with them. I was really trying to avoid having her choose a complete program now until we could see if we could move them up closer to grade level by the end of summer. She's willing to do whatever's needed to get their skills up so if I give her a recommendation I'm pretty sure she'll follow it. She's already looking for websites for worksheets on the concepts her kids are missing (fractions, etc.) so I was thinking that the Key to books would save her on printer ink and wear and tear on the printer, considering how inexpensive they are. Then in August she could decide which program she wants to use for that school year, whether it be going back to Saxon or switching to CLE or even Lial's. I'll continue to work with them even past August if they need it. Thanks. Other suggestions are appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Has she looked at mindsprinting.com? it is free, has a placement test and will give only what they need. How about Life of Fred for the older 2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 "whatever's needed to get their skills up" I watch my childrens math development like a hawk so to spot when they start to stumble with something. With your situation I think I would do just like you are doing, identifying what they can/cant do then figure out how to get them capable without ignoring the knowledge that they all ready have. No need to start at the beginning, but for certain change something, but in this short cram time (summer) perhaps a sequence of obstacle-intermediate objective-objective . Fancy way of saying ID problem-task to fix it-goal that is accomplished. Objective: excel at two digit long division Obstacle: acquire skills with place value concepts for 4-5 digits Intermediate Objective: work things like 2300 ÷ 10 = 230 Objective: good with multiplication by 2 digits Obstacle: not fluent with the 36 multiplication combinations Intermediate objective: memorize the 36 basic fact combinations Objective: skill at estimating Obstacle: division without estimation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 How about Life of Fred for the older 2?That's what I was wondering about. Those seem easy to do in a summer. It sounds like the first two books are just what these kids need work on! The Lial's and other curric.s sound good too. Honestly, it sounds like you are dedicated to helping these children, so I'm betting that whatever you use will work well! :001_smile: Best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Testimony Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 (edited) How about Mammoth Math? It is inexpensive and will help to cover what you need to for elementary math. It sounds like whatever you choose will be great. I think that the older ones will breeze through the basic math skills. Blessings in your homeschooling journey! Sincerely, Karen http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony Edited June 11, 2009 by Testimony I suggested expensive programs and this is just for the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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