I am a first time home schooler, and I feel like I need some input from more experienced home schoolers on this! DD14 was adopted internationally this year, and is very behind academically. She as only in 4th grade in her home country due to lack of schooling before being taken into state care. Her spoken English would knock your socks off, but she is still working on the reading/writing. She is NOT a fan of math. We are using Saxon Math for all three of our kids, but I really feel like it is too wordy for her right now. She is doing Saxon 3, and by the time she reads through the words in the word problems or instructions for each question, so is already annoyed and so over it. It is a struggle EVERY. DAY. I think she would do better with a math curriculum that is less wordy and more colorful. Can any of you recommend a curriculum for us to look at?
If she likes doing her work on computers, you might try Teaching Textbooks. Or possibly Math-U-See, which is very hands-on.
Check out Horizons. You might need to do Horizons 2 (they seem to move a little quicker in the presentation of new topics but they do a great job in introducing and reinforcing the new topics). Since it is a workbook approach you can just take the sheets out so she is not overwhelmed looking at everything that she will need to do.
She'd probably really enjoy Teaching Textbooks. They have online samples, so she can try it out first and see if it would be a good fit or if she would hate it. They also have placement tests available online.
I can't say enough how much I love Khan Academy online. It's free, videos to watch and really works on filling in the gaps that get shoved by the way side in math. I also love how you have to be proficient in an area before moving on. It is also a great motivator.
I really love Christian Light's math -- it's not colorful at all, but it's very effective, and SO "not scary" for math-phobic kids. The placement test is free for the printing at www.clp.org. It's built on an incremental spiral, sort of like Saxon and Horizons, but the kids can become independent workers very soon.
I am a teaching textbooks fan here for sure. I love that the lessons are taught for the most part and I am just a aide for that subject. And my son is loving the format. I love it so much I am going to purchase it for my dd for next year.
Can you explain in more detail how you use Khan academy for math?? I always thot it was just a big collection of videos. :?:
Another vote for Teaching Textbooks. I can't remember off-hand what grade it starts at but there are placement tests you can do. If you need a grade they don't offer, check out Horizons Math (from AOP). You can see samples online at their website.
Another vote for Teaching Textbooks, it's visual AND verbal if you watch the lessons. AND then if you do the workbook part, too, the lecture is all in the workbook as well. You could test her into to where SHE needs to be, and let her work at her own pace - if she wanted to do two or three lessons a day, they are not too long, and are sometimes even fun. You do NOT have to have the workbook, but they are nice to have, even if you just use it to work out the problem and not have to rewrite it. Good luck, and congratulations on the adoption. What a blessing you are to her.
If anyone is interested, I have a complete set of 5th TT I'd be willing to sell, also 6th without the book (the book isn't needed at this level!).
*Cornopean* Here is a description of how we use Khan Academy for our Math. My child logs in and goes to the home page. There is a list of videos that they can watch for learning. Let's say he wanted to start with Pre-Algebra. He clicks on the links to watch the video after the video there is a box to click on to try the problems. Once he clicks on that he works all problems to proficiency. If he gets any wrong it will set him back and he has to keep going. Reaching proficiency can be as little as 10 math problems or 100 how ever many it takes for them to learn and master the concept. They earn points and badges which is great for kids that need that extra incentive. If he hasn't reached proficiency after 45 minutes he is done for the day and knows he has to come back tomorrow and try again. Khan Academy keeps track of everything your child does. As his teacher you have an account as well and can go in a see what they've done for the day. See where they had some trouble and see if they needed to watch the video again. I have all four of my kids on there. They are all at different levels and I didn't have to purchase anything. They can watch the videos as many times as they want. The kids enjoy it and love seeing the progress they are making. One of my sons is really delayed in math and it has always been a struggle for him. When we started using Khan he has improved so much. After watching a video on multiplication the other day he said he finally gets it! Khan takes them from the very basics of adding and subtracting to college level math. Even covering SAT, ACT, and some others. We have also started incorporating some of the other things such as Science, Art and History. We use this right along with our paces and it has helped to enhance our work. We love it so much I should get paid for every time I mention them. LOL! I encourage you to go check it out it's way more than just videos!
We recommend either Christian Light or Horizons if you like workbooks, or Life of Fred. It is a book, but more like a story with math brought in in a way that connects it to real life. My son is LOVING LOF right now.
Krista, it is listed as $130 new without the book. I'd sell it for $70, ppd. I need to talk to a friend first, though. She found out at the New Year's Eve party that I had it, but I think she's only interested in 5th. Will let you know.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned R&S! It's sooo easy to use and really explains in little steps that are easy to understand.
Krista, my friend's son is currently in the 5th, and wanted the 6th. Sorry! I didn't realize when I posted!
