Hello, My son is somewhere between Kindy and first grade. When working with numbers I feel like he doesn't get it. He can count to 100, by ones and 10s, and we are working on other skip counting as it comes up. He can add, subtract and do all the matching and grouping that comes up in the math books. But I just feel like he doesn't get it. He really doesn't get how or why numbers work they way they do. We have counted beans and other stuff. I have tried things that made me have an ah ha moment. But it hasn't work for him. Any ideas or suggestions. We are memorizing the addition facts. But he can't seem to get it down. I think because he doesn't "get it". Any Ideas or suggestions Math is my least favorite subject.
we made everything math.. dinner was math.. we would count, add, subtract, multiply and divide our veggies, we would write math problems in our food. Any chance we got to make math into life.. we did it. Forget trying to get him to memorize the facts until he gets why they do what they do. I don't believe in memorizing math period. Math is something to be computed.. not memorized in my opinion.
We have stopped memorizing until I think that he gets it. But we will memorize later. LOL I have tried to do math all the time. But I hate math, and I am sure that is why we are having troubles with it. When I ask him how many grean beans he would have if I ate three of them he gives me smart responses like "way to many still" (thanks to DAD! ) But he answers the qusetions the right way, but he just doesn't get it. Like he knows the hows but not the whys Is it through drill ( not just paper, but like with the beans and stuff) will something just stick one of these days?
I think the first thing you need to do is get over your feelings about math. Seriously. I think the problem is you have an idea of what math is that's getting in your way here. So no more constructing word problems about jelly beans. Instead grab a bunch of them or some buttons or beads and an egg carton and just start playing. Sort them with him how ever he chooses, whether by size or shape or colour. String beads in patterns and sequences and get him to help you choose what's next. Each of you grab a small pile, say ten, and takes turns stealing the items and only give them back when you tell each how many were stolen. Go for nature walks and collect flowers then casually count the petals on the blossoms and the blossoms in a bunch, etc. Drag the Lego or wooden blocks out and just build! Play dominoes and cards. Math doesn't happen simply in the head for kids his age. It's a tactile thing as well and if your child needs to develop number sense then you've got to just get down, relax and play. Stop making things about math and just be the math (and yes, I know how flaky that sounds so stop giggling). And then, after awhile, supplement whatever math you're doing with some Miquon or MEP to build concepts and pick up the book Family Math for lots of fun games. And now that I've written all this I've realized that your problem is the exact same problem I'm having with my son and so tommorrow I'm going to be dragging out some beads and an egg carton!
. I am sure this is exactly what is happening. I am not creative in the least, now I am suppose to be creative about math. AHHHHHH
You CAN do it!!! Just let go!!! Relax... think unschooling!!! Get your hands on the book "The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas" by Linda Dobson!!
Right Start Math? If/when you decide you are ready for a curriculum, you might want to look into Right Start Math. We have been using it, and although it seems a bit abstract, it is very hands-on and encourages lots of math games that my daughter LOVES!
Some other books... Family Math Family Math 2 (and I think there is even one for littler kids?) Mega Fun Math Games Not sure of the authors of any of them.. they are on my shelf and I haven't looked.. but they are all books that make math real... and they are FUN!
I read somewhere once ( don't remember where ) that the brain has to develop into being able to grasp many math skills . Tactile most certainly will be what helps the lights go on. Include math and number whenever you can. Let them help you measure cups of flour while your baking. Things like that. I am not a natural math person and my boys were struggling. My oldest grade 6 was still using his fingers for adding and he really didn't 'get' many concepts. We bought Math U See and I started them all at square one and it is paying off wonderfully!! By the end on next year My eldest will be ' at grade level' AND he 'gets' what he is doing now. It's been good for the other two also.
