Pen Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 It looks like we will soon be moving to a math that is not in workbook form, for the first time. If this is your situation, what do you have your dc write on? Lined or unlined? Looseleaf? Notebook (if so, top spiral or side?)? Quadrille notebook? If you have anything specific to suggest that is more than just having a ream of lined paper available, a link would be appreciated. This probably sounds silly, but ds has a tendency toward dysgraphia, so it may matter a lot, and I think the more this next middle school math level starts out on the right foot, the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 1/4" quadrille spiral notebook works well here. DD only writes on the right side of the paper. She doesn't copy the question. She writes the answer neatly long the left half of the right page and uses the right half and the left page for working problems out as needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 We use blank paper for problems on Nets, Surface Area and Volume for my older boy's 6th grade math. It is just easier for him to draw out the problem on blank paper than on lined paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Spiral notebook, graph paper. We prefer the largest format we can find, slightly larger than letter size. We find graph paper works much better than lined paper for keeping equations aligned and neat, thus reducing careless mistakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkateLeft Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Spiral notebook, graph paper. We prefer the largest format we can find, slightly larger than letter size. We find graph paper works much better than lined paper for keeping equations aligned and neat, thus reducing careless mistakes. :iagree: My older kids all use graph paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 My 9 yo (doing pretty advanced math for his age) will only use my ipad for scratch paper :001_huh: the program is called Bamboo Paper. but at least the last time, he did a new page for each problem and did it while i was busy, so I could still come and look at his work my older son, for some reason, got in the habit of using those black-and-white composition notebooks, but cheap spirals are also ok with him. when he needs graph paper i just print it from a graph paper generator. i have heard that graph paper is good for keeping things neat, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 I use the math graph paper from Office Despot. College size squares on one side and 1cm squares on the other. After this year we may move to only the smaller squares. For quick stuff we use the Boogie Board 10 inch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deniseibase Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Another vote for graph paper :-) It seems to help a lot with neatness, lining up columns of numbers, and any sort of diagram or graph. We buy ours at Target - http://www.target.com/p/100-sheet-quad-composition-notebook/-/A-13313623#prodSlot=medium_1_2 They are normally $2 a notebook, but often go on sale in the back to school sales for 80 cents, and we stock up then. Not all the Targets in our area carry these year-round, so you might call your store and check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 I prefer graph paper generally, but have had difficulty finding squares large enough for ds and with light enough blue ink for the lines. Where the lines are too dark or gray, ds had trouble distinguishing his pencil marks from the lines. For now we use regular wide-ruled notebook paper and only use the graph paper for graphs, until I find some graph paper that I like. One of these days I might try printing some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccolopy Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 I've never even really thought about this. DS uses a college ruled spiral notebook (top spiral because he's left-handed). He uses graph paper when necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted November 8, 2012 Author Share Posted November 8, 2012 Thank you to everyone! Sounds like graph paper notebook wins. Spiral notebook, graph paper. We prefer the largest format we can find, slightly larger than letter size. We find graph paper works much better than lined paper for keeping equations aligned and neat, thus reducing careless mistakes. If you are in USA, where do you find these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxy Roller Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Spiral notebook, graph paper. We prefer the largest format we can find, slightly larger than letter size. We find graph paper works much better than lined paper for keeping equations aligned and neat, thus reducing careless mistakes. :iagree:This is the format we use now. At first my DC balked at using graph paper, but now they can't imagine using anything else. The reduction in simple computation mistakes has been amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 If you are in USA, where do you find these? We get these: Mead Five Star Graph lined spiral notebooks: http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/notebooks-pads/spiral-notebooks/product-ARS21316 Walmart has them - at least during the back-to-school sales - for about $3.80, and I stock up for the whole school year then. Pricier than the smaller ones, but the larger size and the better durability make it money well spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 We really like the Cambridge brand graph paper notebook: Higher priced but the squares are not dark and the paper is of good quality. We also really like this one (non spiral) but it's too expensive to use for everyday math. I treat DS to one or two a year for his fun math explorations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 Thank you all! I just ordered the Cambridge one, which at this time of year is less expensive, but will watch for back to school sales on the Mead ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I know you've already made a decision for now, but wanted to throw out that we use graph paper composition books that I found during he back to school sales. My kids don't care for spiral notebooks, but love the composition books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathermomster Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Print your own for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down_the_Rabbit_Hole Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Once out of workbooks we use the graph paper notebooks (spiral bound). I am even using this , working through AOPS for fun, and it makes a world of difference keeping things organized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 You all have encouraged me to look around a bit for the size of graph paper I want (1/4 inch is too small). FWIW, I came across a store that sells reams, pads and spiral notebooks, and you can select the size of the grid (1 cm, half-inch, etc.). I can't see how much shipping is just yet, and it seems they require a $20 minimum order... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted November 10, 2012 Author Share Posted November 10, 2012 You all have encouraged me to look around a bit for the size of graph paper I want (1/4 inch is too small). FWIW, I came across a store that sells reams, pads and spiral notebooks, and you can select the size of the grid (1 cm, half-inch, etc.). I can't see how much shipping is just yet, and it seems they require a $20 minimum order... That is interesting too. 1/4" is pretty small for ds too--what size do you think would be ideal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HecticMama Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 My older dd uses a notebook, but she is neat. My younger dd must use graph paper. I made my own with microsoft excel, because I wanted the box to be a little longer (and only a tad wider) for her larger handwriting. I also wanted it light blue, so the boxes wouldn't overwhelm her work. It has made a difference in her ability to see what she's doing, so it was worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathermomster Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 That is interesting too. 1/4" is pretty small for ds too--what size do you think would be ideal? Use the free link I provided and print up .5" and 2cm. Save each PDF file and print them up when you need them. The link allows you to select many graph style, color, and size options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarynB Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Print your own for free. Thank you for posting this link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TengoFive Posted November 11, 2012 Share Posted November 11, 2012 I like Math Notes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleinMN Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Spiral notebook, graph paper. We prefer the largest format we can find, slightly larger than letter size. We find graph paper works much better than lined paper for keeping equations aligned and neat, thus reducing careless mistakes. :iagree: All four of my younger children now use graph paper for math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyforlatin Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 We really like the Cambridge brand graph paper notebook: Higher priced but the squares are not dark and the paper is of good quality. We also really like this one (non spiral) but it's too expensive to use for everyday math. I treat DS to one or two a year for his fun math explorations. I just received the Cambridge notebook yesterday. I like that it's spiral and of good quality. I didn't think about the ink color, but I see now that something that is medium color is best. Next time, I'm going to try a larger version, I think the one that is about 9x11, but the TOPS brand is about $20 at the moment. :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted November 13, 2012 Author Share Posted November 13, 2012 I also just got my Cambridge notebook and like it. And ds says the squares are big enough for him to do one number per square. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted November 13, 2012 Author Share Posted November 13, 2012 I like Math Notes Is something about these different than a regular pack of loose leaf graph paper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I just had my 9 yo use graph paper for long division problems today for the first time - he loved it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TengoFive Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 The squares are bigger. My ds needs large squares, as his handwriting is quite sloppy. They're 1/2 inch squares and most graph paper is 1/4 inch. Is something about these different than a regular pack of loose leaf graph paper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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