ruth Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 my jr. high ds struggles with math and has since he first began. He is currently using Teaching Textbooks, because I thought the immediate correction would be good for him (he's very auditory) and he seemed to really like the program. Most days he does fine, although it takes him a long time to finish and he often has to do the problems 2x and he still may get them wrong. Now, we just finished up standardized testing and he bombed the math section (partly due to an attitude problem), but it makes me wonder.... Do some kids just never get math (I think I'm one of these and my parent is a math genius, no kidding)? And then what do you do to help these kids? As homeschoolers we can tailor the program to the kids, right? Is there a program that others have found that really is a good match for this kind of kid? He doesn't have any learning problems, I just don't think he has a gift for math and that's ok, but I would like to hear what others have done with their kids who are also like this I know this isn't a "highschool" question, but I'm really looking for some solid advice from the "been there, here's what we did" group. Thanks so much for any comments ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janice H Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Start here at Cathy Duffy's reviews http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/math/math-index.htmThis might give you some ideas Duffy includes this site http://www.homeschool-math.com/ for a self instructional textbook series. I like this format and have used it myself. (Different math course and publisher, but same one frame of information followed by a question or application about the info. It forces the learner to stay actively involved and gives immediate feedback on how well each step is understood.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruth Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Thankyou Janice, I have read many of the reviews by Cathy Duffy, and of course these are helpful to a point. I guess what I'm looking for is someone who has kids like mine and what they have found, good or bad. I'll check out that website you posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 We wound up doing Singapore Primary Math with him. It straightened out the misconceptions and helped him to learn to think mathematically. I worked very closely with him, though, until this year (precalculus). Some people recommend Lial's Basic College Math. I haven't seen it, but it might be just what you are looking for. It sounds like it starts over at the beginning of math and works up to the point where the student is ready to do algebra. I think it is meant for remedial math in college (hence the "college" in basic college math). Perhaps you could post asking specifically about it? -nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsdash Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Neither of my 2 oldest girls (14 and 16) are math minded. I tried Saxon, Keys to series, Singapore and Teaching Textbooks and although TT was the most successful, it didn't do the trick. SO- I recently bought Life of Fred and it's a huge hit!! Yesterday my dd said "I don't dread math at all now" and the other piped up with "I know, I'm loving this!". So imo, Life of Fred is a great fit for my girls. They are strong readers and this is in a storybook format so they are really enjoying it and feel like the lessons are real life based. It makes sense to them this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruth Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Thankyou again . sherry, do you use anything else along with Fred? we have looked at it and my kids liked it, just wondering if it's enough ruth I also looked at Lials (online) but had a very hard time finding a copy. I bought Saxon 87plus for next year with the hopes that this will cover the basics again and yet introduce dc to algebra concepts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam L in Mid Tenn Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Sometimes it isn't the curriculum. Some kids just need a lot more help. My dd struggles with math.. even TT is very hard for her. I am doing the equations with her to get her through Algebra 1. I teach over the lesson and then we do some of the problems. We do all the equations. She really struggles to understand. Maybe you should work the problems side by side with your student. Yes, it does take up a ton of time, but then you'll know he is understanding to the best of his ability. We have the answer key open in front of us. If we get the wrong answer we work that problem until we get the right answer. If she still doesn't have an inkling , then she'll watch the solution. I have no idea what we'll do with math next year. You are not alone here. Just do the best you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsdash Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 They do every "Your turn to play" and all the "cities" plus the extra work in the companions so I think it's more than plenty. We also have the geometry but that doesnt have a companion. I can't tell you how nice it is to hear them enjoying math :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I've seen so many students 'BOMB' Algebra because of unanswered questions--concepts that just don't make sense to them (because of THEIR logic). Often times it is hard for a parent or even a teacher to pick up on the little flaws in logic... and the students may not know they have flawed logic either! The thinking processes (logic) necessary to see a problem being worked out and it making 'sense' is very DIFFERENT from the thinking processes necessary to start from 'scratch' (the student deciding what the next step is). I don't recommend changing programs as much as changing the approach. Most likely your son would do better if he had a teacher/tutor to LOOK at how he is working a problem (by watching him attempt one) and then 'tweak' his logic. Math tutoring does not have to be expensive--often you can find free or low-cost math-loving people to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruth Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 I think I know that I need to work with him more (can you hear the groaning? ugh!). This is why we won't be using TT after this year, and he will spend next year with me :), going through Saxon 87plus. I have been using saxon with my other dc and I've been very pleased with the instruction in every lesson. It seems so foundational. We also have the option for tutoring with the "math genius" in my family, I'll have to see what I can arrange. Thankyou again for the wise words . ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veronica in VA Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Based on my experience, I think some kids are slower to develop in math. My dd was, but now she loves math - go figure. Someone else mentioned Lial's Basic College Math, and I would second that. I don't know for sure in your situation, but some children need another go around on the basics - especially fractions, decimals, percents, etc. before hitting algebra. BCM has a sort of unit study approach, as it starts at the beginning (addition) and works up to pre-algebra, taking a chapter with each main concept (i.e. fractions, percent, multiplication). Both of my kids thrived with this approach. Of course, you could have your child take the pre-test for each section since he probably wouldn't need to cover a whole chapter on addition and the like. If you do decide to go with this approach, you can find older editions for about $5 and you don't need the answer key. Good luck with your decision. Veronica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.