I need help picking a math curriculum for my 9 year old. We do not use curriculum for other subjects, but he seems to really struggle in math,so I thought a curriculum would help from here on out, especially with the advanced grade level work he needs to do. He gets frustrated very easily. We did not get very much into multiplaction and did not even touch on division last year, because he was having such a hard time. I do not know what grade level I would buy for him, he is doing mostly 4th grade work, but he may be 3rd grade math level? We got about 3/4 of the way through the Spectum 3rd grade math workbook last year, that is what we are working on finishing now. If it looks hard, he automatically gives up, then I have to work with him to get him to try, but it takes him sooooo long to do the work.
Teaching Textbooks! It has totally changed our math lives forever!!! It's expensive, but look for it used. You don't need the books until pre-alg, so just the disks will do ya.
One vote for Saxon. There just isn't anything like it. Students learn to learn. They teach themselves.
Have you tried any math games? Either the file folder games, things like monopoly, yahtzee, playing store using play money/change, or computer games... there are tons of them! I would back off the workbook a little and see if some games will encourage him - he'll be learning as he's playing, and probably won't even realize it!
You may want to check out Saxon. If you go on line they can take a placement test so you know where to start him. The nice thing about Saxon is it starts out easy no matter what level you begin with. Then it builds slowly.
I vote for Miquon! We unschool but ds wanted to start doing math a few months ago. (he does that every now and then). He went through the whole 2nd grade level within a month using Horizons. (not a brag, he would be in 3rd this year anyway.) He wanted to keep going so I started looking around for a 3rd grade book, didn't want to put the money out for Horizons, found Saxon at a school sale and honestly 3rd and 4th don't look much more advanced than the Horizons he just finished. Then I remembered I had bought Miquon once so I dug it out...LOVE IT! It's simple but does everything, not a lot on each page, not really "schooly". It only goes up to third grade but I think it sounds perfect for your 9yo.
Yes, can't say enough about Teaching Textbooks. My kids LOVE it! Can't wait until the youngest is old enough, too! They have placement tests, so you could place him where he fits, rather than by grade!
We looked at the teaching textbook site, and ds "played" one lesson and loved it. My other ds cant wait to do it next year also. Where do I go to look for it used? I looked on ebay and there is not much there.
Gotta get a word in here for CLE! It's kinda like Saxon-in-a-workbook, but with much clearer explanations and examples. It can be done very independently, even by middle first graders. See samples www.clp.org and DO use the diagnostic tests!
I've never used their math, but I do like CLE L Arts, so imagine the math would be good too. Definitely check it out!
Teaching Textbooks here too! Never again will another math program make it through my front door! I also have a 9yo -girl. She is doing 5th grade. I wish it was a little more advanced/faster paced, but it works and she learns and likes it, so I will make that sacrifice. I would recommend doing the placement test. You may be able to skip a grade....if you decided to try it, that is!
Maybe look into the Life of Fred series. I just ordered it, so I can't really give a review. But it is inexpensive and is not at all like a traditional textbook. I also bit the bullet and ordered teaching textbooks for my dd. I am REALLY cheap, so it was painfull :cry: But she hates Saxon, and I really need her to do more work independantly and TT fits the bill. I bought mine off ebay for $99 ppd. You can try the websites crazymoma mentioned, but a well priced TT goes FAST. You have to be vigilant and check multiple times a day, and a really nice email to the seller won't hurt either
My son LOVES teaching textbooks. I have been letting him do the sample lessons this last week, and he keeps asking when he can do his math again, lol I have noticed as he is doing the math 3, that he is having some problems with a lot of them, so I think we will just go ahead and get the math 3 without actually taking the placement test. He is not ready for math 4yet. DS 7 may be able to start this year on them also, it says it is good for advanced 2nd graders. I'll probably hold off starting him until after the new year. It feels soooo good to find something that I do not have to force him to do... It was such a struggle to MAKE him do math. Even though he still has to do some problems on paper, he really enjoys listening to the lesson and typing on the computer. I also think the immediate feedback is good for him also, that he knows that he is doing it "right."
