Key to Curriculum? As you know, I have to find something that will help my son in math. I came across this on Christianbook today and ordered some of their workbooks. It was cheap, had great reviews, and seemed very simple for the not so simple minded child. Opinions are greatly appreciated. I will update as soon as I get the books and try them on my son. Everyone cross fingers, toes, legs, eyes anything you can cross that this will help him grasp these skills needed to get his diploma in a couple years. Thanks!
I bought the Fractions ones because we got stuck on MUS Fractions. I used the books as a review and to work on some of the stuff she was stuck on. It was okay and I am sure I could have found free stuff online and printed out but it was just easy to order.
I am going to use the Fractions and Decimals books for 5th grade next as a supplement to Life of Fred. I am hoping it will enough without being overwhelming. I'd be very interested in hearing your opinion after you get them in/use them. Sorry I can't be of help, though. LOL
Thanks everyone that has commented so far. I just told hubby about me ordering them. He took him to work with him yesterday and got a little taste of what I go through with him in math. Short of the tantrum and attitude. He was asking him a simple math question 25+25+25+25+25=? He couldn't figure it out no matter how many times my hubs tried to explain it to him. I'm praying they work. Hubs seems to think that he needs flash cards as somehow they fix everything in life. (insert me rolling my eyes here) We have been there, done that, bought the t-shirt and short of beating him over the head with them he hasn't advanced in that area yet. One day, one day!
Is his problem with math facts? I finally had 2 "math" people say to me, "just give her a calculator and move on!" My dd can't remember facts and I never moved her forward because I thought she had to have those memorized! I felt such relief when they told me that! She is 8th grade this year, and one of those "math" people uses BJU math and will be working with her on pre-algebra so she will be ready for algebra in 9th grade.
He has issues with all of it. Doesn't retain facts of steps to get the facts. Recently I've been reading up on Dyscalcula. I'm 99.99999% sure he has this. We know he has dyslexia but is doing very well in that area, there are a few things that have to fall into place for him to read and comprehend what he's doing. Math has been a struggle from day one. He can add and do some subtraction in his head but anything over a single digit he has to have paper and pencil. I'll be honest, I don't allow calculators in teaching them. I think to many kids use them and I find they are to dependent on them. If it was just a factual thing I wouldn't worry to much about it but it's everything.
Have you tried Touch Math? They learn the facts by touching points on the numbers and eventually learn to see these points in their head. With multiplication, they learn to skip count and touch the points on the numbers. I tought this to my daughter and I can see her look up and slightly bob her head as she counts!
The Key to workbooks are great! I used them to brush up my math skills for on of the CA teaching exams. They are simply laid out and give great examples. Best of all, there is lots of practice! They definitely are not a complete curriculum, but are perfect for working through trouble spots.
Oh yes, we have done touch points from day one. He still uses them but doesn't always get them correct. Working through trouble spots is what I'm after. I know it's not a complete curriculum but if it can help us get through our math books without him having a major melt down I'm all for it. If they work, I will be plunking down money for the rest of the books as well. I feel if he can get over this hurdle he can really do anything.
