Like Dynamo math but higher level?

[Hilltopmom]

Or- a program like Dynamo math for dyscalcula but for older, slightly more advanced but still struggling students?

Dd is 12, almost 13. She's suffered through years of different math curriculums at home (spectrum, MUS, LOF, singapore). She's working at a beginning of 4th grade level in math. No math facts memorized, & I'm ok with that. She knows how to use a multiplication chart & a number line.

 

Last year, she completed MUS multiplication & division, but doesn't really "get it". She needs more spiral too. We were going to do TT5 (or 4?) this year, but in researching, I've decided to put that on hold & try some remediation first.

 

She did the trial of Dynamo math this AM that I was so excited about, but already knows all of that material up to the end of the 4 th module.

 

Is there anything AFTER Dynamo that's still remedial? It's not like kids get to the end of second grade math (about where Dynamo ends) & don't need remediation anymore, right? I looked at their sister site that's curriculum up to grade 4, but it doesn't seem quite right.

 

I just ordered the Ronit Bird books to use with her as well. I'm thinking of just holding off on TT for half of this year to focus on RB, math games, etc. But I feel like every year she's not ready so we back off & just keep getting farther behind.

 

I'm a special Ed teacher (well, former one) & it drives me crazy that I can't seem to help her " get" math.

 

I really liked the sounds of Dynamo, but need a slightly higher level, I guess.

 

She also tried a trial of Dreambox but wasn't impressed, she thought the games & cartoons were too babyish. She's almost 13 & into Dr. Who, Harry Potter, etc- not little kids computer games, kwim?

But, she likes the idea of doing something on the computer- which is why I thought of trying TT again for this year.

 

We're also going to try some of the Remedia booklets like "Menu math, shopping mall math, etc". She might at least enjoy them & they're life skills.

 

Any recommendations? Thanks

[Heathermomster]

Does she know her add/subtraction facts to 20?

[Hilltopmom]

No, not memorized.

She can add/ subtract, but uses her fingers or a number line. She's never been able to memorize " anything".

[Hilltopmom]

Oh, I also just went thru our game shelf & put all the good mathy games down near the school area- Sum Swamp, shut the box, dominoes, allowance, etc. Maybe we'll actually USE them this year;)

And after trying out Dynamo & the other one online this morning, she's begging me to just install TT & let her start that.... Aargh. "Maybe" she's finally ready for it?- if she does it on the computer, then fixes her mistakes, then does it in the workbook with me. Otherwise, it's too easy, IMo, to just go thru the program, and not get it.

[lamppost]

Have you heard of ST Math? They're doing a trial of their homeschool program through HSBC right now: https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/stmath/?source=138339

Looks like it goes through 8th grade material.

 

I used to teach with this program in a public school. It was initially developed to help English learners to learn math by teaching it visually- removing the language portion. Here's a Tedx talk by the guy who developed it: 

[OneStepAtATime]

If she still cannot break apart numbers up to 20 then definitely run her through the Ronit Bird stuff.

 

You might consider combining something like CLE with TT. Give the placement test for CLE and maybe rotate? Just computer work may not help her gain any real understanding. Depends on the kid. DS does well with computer work up to a point but even he needs to physically touch math sometimes and also to spiral through material often.

 

I'd start with Ronit Bird first, though.

[Hilltopmom]

Thanks.

I can't wait to get my RB books!

 

I went ahead & let her do lesson 1 in TT today on the computer. We had just completed the first 4 lessons this week using just the workbook. I think she definately needs to do it on paper WITH me as well, not just the computer. But, if the computer motivates her to want to do it, then we probably include the computer lessons. I can't decide if we should do the computer first, then the workbook with me, or vice versa, but we'll try both ways & see what sticks better. I think she needs the extra explanation that doing it with me, not just the computer, would give.

 

I'll look at CLE too. ST Math looks interesting as well. The cutesy games might lose her though.

Thank you.

[Heathermomster]

Hi there.  I have some concerns about the RB books wrt your DD.  My DS has a diagnosed maths disability but it must not be super severe because he never struggled with the basic add/sub facts to 20.  He's 2e with verbal comp and spatial strengths.  The Overcoming Difficulties RB book was great for him, and we used it when he was late 5th grade.  

 

I don't know you or your DD but given what you have written, I am tempted to suggest RB's e-books for the iPad first.  If those prove to be unhelpful, you may want to go in an entirely new direction and consider Semple or Touch Math. If your DD's issues are straight arithmetic and not conceptual, maybe just hand her a calculator and fact cards and keep moving.  

 

Just so that you know, RB is mostly manipulative and picture based.  Semple/Touch is visual based.  TT is supposedly good with procedures.  Math is one of those subjects that I have never been able to walk away from.  It is just understood that I stand nearby or sit with DS while he works.

 

 

[Hilltopmom]

Thanks, we'll give the RB stuff a try & see if it helps. I figure, we should at least try something completely different.

 

I haven't seen Semple, but will look it up. I remember Touch from my teaching days, a big kit of stuff, but have never used it myself with a kid.

 

She had an eval done at the beginning of the summer, but it wasn't very complete, just indicated math disability basically. (We live in a very rural area, hours from anyplace that does decent testing). She definately has other issues, so not just problems with the arithmetic. She just started reading independently this year. As far as math, she can't grasp word problems at all, still has trouble with clocks, can't discern or count coins, no memory for procedures like "how to do double digit subtraction with borrowing".