Math Help Please

[trudence1]

I have used Saxon math with my DS11 from 1st grade and, until this year, we have both loved it. This year he has been doing Algebra 1/2 and it just hasn't been clicking. There are times when we both look at the answers to problems in the text, and even with the solutions manual, can't figure out WHY they got their answer. This is mostly with their geometry side of things, but at times it is also with some algebra concepts.

 

I would like to do something with him over the summer that would help him and yet would also be fun (if possible) and not torture. Any help/thoughts would be appreciated.

Thank you

[Murrayshire]

ixl.com or LOF maybe? There is always Khan Academy.

[mom2bee]

Check if any of the schools, or community centers in your area are offering math clubs, math programs, or getting ready for Middle School type workshops.

 

KhanAcademy is a great resource if you sign up and work problems, there is also Alcumus. Check out MathTutorDvds.com, the videos are pretty good. (I'm watching their Calculus videos over my spring break, I'm enjoying them.) and many of them come with worksheets that you could print out.

[Hunter]

Is it possible that he is working faster through the program, than he is developmentally prepared to handle?

 

How many mistakes was he making in the last book? Would he benefit by repeating it? Did he do 87 or he did he move right from 76 to 1/2?

[trudence1]

Thank you so much for your help.

 

He made very few mistakes at all in the last book and was able to figure out, mostly on his own, what he had done incorrectly. I have wondered if the difficulties we're having this year are from where he is developementally or not, and had already decided to have him either rework this same book again next year or find another book over the same types of material. I am just looking for some new ideas so keep it fresh over the summer, and also for a new way of teaching these areas he is struggling with.

 

I am grateful for the suggestion of Khan Academy. We had used it over a year ago, but for some reason I had forgotten about it recently. I will def. have him do some work on there, since he loves anything on the computer. IXL is new to me and looks like a lot of fun. Thank yoy.

[Hunter]

My 10 year old made the most mistakes in Saxon Algebra 1 on the geometry questions. Looking back, knowing so much more than I did then, I think that he needed more review on grade 2-4 basic math facts, even more than review of the high school geometry. And practice on making neat papers.

[trudence1]

Thank you, Hunter. I am going to have him go through the LOF with my DS9. These will be supplemental and review for both of them. I also think there are a few things they are either weak in still or need taught in a slightly different way. We will see if that helps.

[Hunter]

More and more I'm realizing almost all problems come from WAY back at the foundation. All too often the problem is not just one step back. We forget, or don't even know, to review WAY back. Saxon identifies problems that other programs don't. To continue the program, we must remediate or go a little batty. Saxon requires complete mastery of the basic math facts, to be completed in a timely manner.

 

Neither my son or I ever mastered out basic math facts. We were able to do Saxon, but we made a lot of mistakes, and had to spend a lot of time correcting them. I wish I'd known back then to review, but I didn't. Live and learn, I guess.

 

Good Luck!!!