My oldest son is in 2nd grade. He hates math. I have a workbook from a PS that I am using with him but he hates it. Lately we've been having some fun with a book called "I hate mathematics" It has helped some. I'd say really he's more at a first grade level for Math. Maybe advanced first grade but a little behind where he should be for 2nd. My second son is in Kindergarten but loves math! He's doing first grade math and its quite easy for him. He always asks for more than what I give him. I have been looking into Math-U-see and it looks really good. I read some reviews from parents with kids like my oldest (who is also ADD) and it seems like its what I'm looking for. So here's the question. What grade do I get it for? Dh thinks we should get the 2nd grade level (for next year) and just have our oldest be behind a year and our second son be ahead a year. I'm not sure. We are moving to a state that requires testing this summer and so our oldest will have to be tested at the end of third grade. I know I don't have to show the test to anyone but the idea of teaching him math a grade behind where he's supposed to be makes me uncomfortable. I guess he'll probably catch up later. I also want to find a way to teach him to enjoy math if I can. Any thoughts?
Try using "Family Math" by Jean Kerr Stanmark. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Family-Math/Jean-Kerr-Stanmark/e/9780912511061/?itm=1 You may be able to find it at your local library also. There is also this site http://www2.tltc.ttu.edu/cooper/Cool Links/familymath.htm with links to ideas to do as a family keeping math fun. Hope this helps! Carol
make math fun, let him use beads, m &m's and other food items for math to add, sub, times, whatever. Just let him have fun. My dd loved to jump on the tampoline when I would say 9 x 4 is and she had to jump and count it out the same time. Teaching Textbook are wonderful math programs
Is there anything your DS is particularly 'into?' My DS really likes Star Wars and superheroes, so if he starts to get fussy about doing something, I try to find a way to implement those things into the work. My daughter [age 7] is the one who hates math; my son [age 6] is the one who flies through it. My daughter is repeating first grade math this year using a different curriculum. Part of the good thing about homeschooling is being able to do something until you feel like they get it. My daughter has responded really well to Bob Jones math this year. We used Saxon last year, but it had no pictures or color to it, and she responds to that.
My sister used printed and cut out pictures of lipstick. My niece loved them and they worked so much better for her than beans. It just depends on what the child is interested in.
What state are you moving to? That can depend on the level of testing. Here in VA we give the CAT-5 at home and honestly - it was pretty simple for the kids to pass. I have personally found MOST HS math programs to be a little ahead of PS - even in this area our school system is rated pretty high (I never had a problem with the school - just the goofy teaching to the test stuff and no child left behind) If they are at the same level - teach them that way. You might want to CALL it a LEVEL vs a GRADE And be prepared as your son might catch on pretty quickly and move ahead.
Math-U-See is supposed to be really good but I preffer the approach that Horizons has. The lessons are pretty short and the pages are very colorful. Each lesson has a variety of different types of problems/activities. This helps us since there are some things dd likes better than others. I also like that it is the spiral approach and constantly reinforcing. If your kids like manipulatives they do have some that go along with Horizons although we do not use them. It really depends on the child.
Don't worry about grade level. Just teach him where he is. They say that where reading is concerned that you learn to read in K-3rd then read to learn from there on. In math, it is probably safe to say a similar rule applies. You have to learn addition, subtraction, multiplication and division before anything else because the rest depends on those basics. Set a strong foundation. Better to have a 10 story building on a good foundation than a 13 story building on sand. We did well with horizons math also. Changed to BJU this year for a change. HOrizons TM gives you suggested activities that you can use as needed.
I tutor a young boy who loves to use funbrain.com to exercise his math skills. It certainly ISN"T a curriculum, but might provide some comic relief!
I would suggest looking at Horizon math too, it is short and colorful sections to work on, so if the attention is short, the problem changes after like 6-8 short problems, and its very colorful and attentiion friendly.. check itout at Cbd.com
We love Math-U-See here and it works great. My boys love the blocks and will use them to "do math" even when they have no workbook pages to go with they just make up problems. I'd look at their website and the scope and sequence of what the Beta and Delta (2/3 grade respectively) books cover and choose the one where your son knows some but not all of the material and that's the one I'd get so that he's challenged to learn something new but not so challenged that he gives up. MUS is really easy to use and it's a mastery program so if you need more worksheets on any one topic you can go to their website and make more to use.
Thanks everyone! I'm feeling better about doing 2nd grade level with him next year. Maybe it will click and he'll catch up.
Yes, that's one of the beauties of homeschooling--making SURE they understand the basics. I have always said "levels" instead of grades. My kids understand that, and don't really mind the level they're working on, if that's what helps them "get it"! They NEED that strong base, so it's not "behind", it's working at the level they need, so they understand the concept well and can move forward! Never worry about the level a subject is! The important thing is your child and what HE (or she) needs! Also, in working at lower levels, it will be easier for them to grasp the concept, and give them more "rewards" for doing the work. That can help bring the interest level back up, which will also help them in moving forward! I also don't compare children. My oldest got discouraged one time because the younger one was catching up to him in math level. I told him that it was true that his brother was doing well in math. But he (older) was doing better in history, and handwriting, and sports...(whatever the case may be). God made each person special and some strong in one area and others strong in other areas. So we should just work at our ability level and be happy we can do and learn what we can, and never be jealous of someone else. That same person may be looking at YOU thinking you can do things better than them. So, just do your best and God will bless. Don't always expect to be the best at everything!
We also like Horizons... but don't let the grade level fool you. My six year old son in first grade just finished the K level books and when I compared the math in the K books, it was as hard or harder than a friends first grade math curriculum. I think the grade levels are a bit ahead. I have no problem with my kids being almost a full year behind in the Horizons books because they are getting a good foundation, the assignments aren't long and tedious, they mix the types of problems up each day so you don't get bored, and they are spiral, so if you don't get it the first time, it comes right around again a few days later. I haven't found the teacher's manuals to be very necessary in the younger grades, but I have used my DD's third grade teachers manual a few times. At the very least, try one workbook. At only about 11-12 dollars it won't be much of a waste if you don't use it. Edie
Another vote for MUS. We tried Horizons, and Calvert. I really feel using MUS is the first time math "clicked" with them (twins), and we had many tears and frustration before. Its all about mastery, and you dont jump around with different topics which I think confuses kids. Dont worry about grade level, it goes by Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc. Go to the website, they have sample pages as well as the scope and sequence. Good Luck!
Thanks, the more I hear and read the more I am sold on MUS. It really looks like it would suit my oldest son and maybe my second son as well. Any tips on where to buy? Is the MUS website the best place?
