DS is not being challenged by the math we are doing. Trying to figure out 1st of all if I should just SKIP the things that are just useless or just whip thru them for review. What Math books to get him to supplement, I have a few miscellaneous(Geometry for K, Visual Discrimination for K, Algebra for K--some speed tests) but want to get ones that go along with how he has been learning all along. He does it all in his head, no fingers, or he looks at the problem if it is one of those where they show 10 and 8 and you have to tell how many you need to make them even or what have you, he just looks at it and says it, he does not count them by 'touching' them or anything unless it is a huge group. He does his fractions in his head (halves only, he is only in K) and does his money problems in his had (example, if I give clerk $5 and my purchase was only $3.50 how much will I get back) no fingers........what math works this way, where they do not make you use 'something' tangible to learn? I know a number line will be needed for sure when we do negatives for visuals but then he can look at it and it will stick in his head I am figuring......... Suggestions for some supplemental K or 1st that teach this way??
At a certain point, he will need to learn to do it on paper. As he gets older, the longer, deeper problems cannot be done in his head. My oldest sounds like your boy. He's 15 now, and a Junior in High School (we're still homeschooling him). He is just now beginning to realize that he can't do everything in his head, that he has to work the problems out. Maybe having him work some of the problems out will teach him the clear steps. He shouldn't have to work ALL of them out, but a few now and then would help keep the steps in his mind, so as it gets harder he will know how to work it out. Just a thought...
Oh yeah, I forgot that part. Part of the great thing of homeschooling is skipping, or going quickly over things they already know, then slowing down and working through what they don't. It's less frustrating that way for them, and they're still learning well!
I do have him do it on paper and, yes, he surely will have to do it on paper when he gets to that grade level. I will absolutely make sure he knows how to, and there is no way he can do it in his head forever, just wondering if there are any certain curriculum that you have seen and used if your child seems they learn in a similiar fashion. I am not familiar at all with the other curriculum types and am grabbing at straws when it comes to supplementing so was just wondering if you had any advice on this type of thing. thank you so much!
Dd10 uses Math-U-See and it has been wonderful for her. She has always struggled with math until this year (our first year homeschooling) and she is doing awesome with this program.
But Math-U-See is a hands on program. I think she wants one that is NOT hands on cuz that's how her little guy learns best. Hmmmm, I'll have to think on this one. Hopefully someone else has some ideas.
You all are so much more familiar with curriculums out there and how they really are. For instance, I got HWOT and do not like it as much as I thought I would. Bummer
