Well, I know nothing about Math U See. I, too, got the DVD, but didn't watch it yet. I'm just wondering- do the books say "4th grade" on them? If not, I just wouldn't make a big deal about the grade level. And, she'll probably feel really good about herself if she can breeze right through it and go on to the next book!
Sorry I'm here so late in the day.....did you print out the placement test and that is where you are getting what level she needs? I had my son do the "test" (looks like a worksheet, not too many questions either) and he needed to go back to the beginning with the Alpha book. They don't have grade levels on them. He suggests watching your child take the test and if they are having to count on their fingers then they need to start with Alpha. I can testify to that methodology. Ds is now confident in math and processing math in a whole different way. I just can't say enough about it for kids who need to "see" math rather than go by strictly memorizing methods....and the fact that we no longer have tears during math has to be the biggest, bestest difference of all! Anyway, back to placement tests....if you were not aware, the website has printable tests for most levels (if not all) that don't take too long to complete.
Thanks Brooke No I didn't know that their were tests to print out. I will try that. I just watched the video I received. It looks neat. I need something that she doesn't cry thru. She doesn't count on fingers I don't think.
Maybe I've missed the point completely here, but calculadders is a good 'mental math/language skills' type of program (if you go to their website http://www.calculadders.com ) you can download a trial version (pdf format) of three different types of skills - two of them are math one is language skills. They may be below her level but it may be a starting point - you can do them over and over again until the concept is mastered and then move on. The other thing (you have probably already considered) is computer games/software - like reader rabbit, math blaster, etc. Very educational (and in our case, the boys have no clue that they're learning anything) and not very expensive at all (when I bought them last year I might have paid $10 Cdn - $20 max some of them I even got at Wal-Mart in Houlton ME). What about forgetting the text books and doing the hands on things (probably already do that too). Things like recipes, shopping, etc These are ideas off the top of my head sorry if I can't help more. Praying for you in the meantime. Brenda
The reason that the calculadder type method didn't work for my son is that he is a person who needs to understand the how and why of something in order to even memorize it. I suppose he could memorize, it just is something he fights in his head if he doesn't get the big picture with it. MUS made math relevant and it made numbers real as opposed to printed characters in a certain order. Does that make sense? :?
help It does to me. I think having children with different learning abilities helps with that understanding. I do appreciate all the ideas listed above. I do plan to try many this coming year. I plan to do alot the same as last year and just add in other things too. As I agree with someone above to keep trying to be better at writing papers and reports. She can write just not to the point she should. Better to encourage that than keep her from it. I do plan to buy MUS to use with her in math. Science, health and history I plan to still do units with all the kids. That worked very well. I have bought some critical thinking books and plan to continue them during the year. Reading is going to still be anything that interest her. That works great! She loves to read. I plan to try Hooked on Phonics again with her. Maybe on day phonics will click. Until then she is reading her way. Her comprehension is great so no problems there. Explain that one: Has to work hard to read but understand and can answer questions about the book correctly. That just puzzles me. I plan to keep going with spelling the way I did last year. I got a 2nd grade book and called about 100 words or so. If she missed any of them we added them to the list. If she passed we just went on to a new test. That worked well. Just studied the words she missed and not words she already knows. Next year we will start doing that in a 3rd grade book and advance books as needed. She is learning and that is what counts to me. I don't think she would be this far in ps. I think she would hate life if she were there. Thanks again for all your ideas. I did read each and have thought thru each idea. Lorna
Lorna, dare I go on the public school rant and rave kick again I'll behave. I'm so happy that your daughter is home with you and not in the public system - I can only imagine the heart ache it would be for all of you. Thinking out loud here...what about pen pal letters for language arts - she's writing, spelling and forming sentences/paragraphs, using nouns, verbs, adverbs, etc. You could review it before she sends it and off it goes. And when the letter coems back to her from another child, watch the smiles (this worked for Andrew last year). Again, just thinking out loud. Brenda
yes pen pals Yes, we do that. She does love it. We have even found a pen pal to call on the phone. That is great! She really feels she has a friend there. I agree it does making writing fun and receiving a letter is loved by her. It is a great way to learn. Thanks
