Best math for 1st grader who struggles with math?

[CashCrew]

My 7yr old son was adopted from Ethiopia a little over a year ago. He really struggles with understanding math. Have any of you had success with a particular program with a child who has very little concept of math? We worked on K/1st all year last year (many different approaches) and he retained none of it. Still he cannot tell me how many people are in our family (8) without counting each of us (and REALLY struggles if we aren't all in the same room and he has to count us from memory). He has a wonderful memory when it comes to Bible, history, and literature and able to answer almost everything after I read him a story. He is learning to read beautifully too.

[guateangel]

:bigear:

 

This sounds like my dd. My dd, 7.5, has not absorbed any math facts whatsoever (attended K and 1st grade at ps.) I purchased Rightstart math beginning with B. Hoping it will be the perfect fit.

[lettucepatchkids]

by no way am I seasoned w/ math... but I also bought Rightstart B for my rising 1st grader... she hasn't have much math work and doesn't seem really math minded so the games aspect of RS looked like a great fit for her!

[DianeJM]

Hmmm, that's an interesting problem, I have not heard that before. I would say, first, give him all the time he needs, let him count as much as he needs to, also, let him move around a lot during math, and use lots of props, plus a lot of repetition. I have not used Right Start, but from what I've heard it sounds like it might be a good choice for you. But, as one wise "older" hs mom told me a long time ago, "he'll get it before he goes to college." IOW, it's just a matter of when and of what you have to do to get him there. So glad to have these boards so that we can run stuff by others and get some fresh thoughts.

All the best!!

[KathyBC]

You've received some great advice about manipulatives and letting him count as much as he needs to.

 

Have you checked out the list of books at Living Math? Our library has some of the titles. It can be easily added to whatever else you're doing.

[MariannNOVA]

My suggestion would be Muggins Math 'Number Neighbors.' The website has some demos - just keep in mind that the person who does them goes QUITE quickly.....so don't let that turn you off on the program.

[siloam]

My 7yr old son was adopted from Ethiopia a little over a year ago. He really struggles with understanding math. Have any of you had success with a particular program with a child who has very little concept of math? We worked on K/1st all year last year (many different approaches) and he retained none of it. Still he cannot tell me how many people are in our family (8) without counting each of us (and REALLY struggles if we aren't all in the same room and he has to count us from memory). He has a wonderful memory when it comes to Bible, history, and literature and able to answer almost everything after I read him a story. He is learning to read beautifully too.

 

Right Start math helps develop the ability to see quantities in the mind and do mental math. It is also very concrete using many manipulatives first introduce concepts before moving to conceptual work.

 

Heather