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Michiel
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| Posted: March 23 2010 at 9:41pm | IP Logged
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Boy, am I glad to see the forum back up. I've missed you guys!
My question: my younger ds, who is 9, really struggles with math, as in 2+3. He can count it on his fingers, but he cannot recall that fact, as in recall it cold. When he was in kindergarten at our local Catholic school, he was taught the doubles, as in 2+2, 3+3, etc., and he knows those cold. Also, knowing those doubles, he can figure out that if 2+2=4, then 2+3=5. So he gets the logic and can apply it, but he cannot recall from his brain 2+3.
Onto my question: am I beating a dead horse to stay where we are (trying to get those facts in his memory)? We play drill games, like rolling dice and adding them, or shaking m&m's in a numbered egg carton and adding those numbers, every day. I am waffling between the idea of forging ahead to doing a math program that goes on with math, even though he doesn't have his facts down, and staying where we are trying to get those facts down. Any moving forward would just entail his using his fingers, and soon, he'll run out of fingers.
I thought I might try writing some songs of the facts that he could use (he's very musical) to recall the facts.
Has anyone had this problem before? Somehow, I just think that one MUST be able to know 6+7 without even thinking about it, but just know it. If anyone feels strongly otherwise, I'd like to hear. Or if anyone thinks that I should just keep plugging away, I'd like to hear about that too.
Thanks and blessings to this group!
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Michiel
mom to two boys
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: March 23 2010 at 10:05pm | IP Logged
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You don't have to do a complete one or the other.. you could move forward with math and still have time for working on math facts as well. That could help keep up his interest and let him feel like he's making progress without giving up on learning the math facts.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: March 24 2010 at 9:10am | IP Logged
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What Jodie said.
The math topics you move on to will undoubtedly continue to use addition facts. Maybe when he has to use that information it will begin to stick in his head better. The math drill methods you're using sound very innovative; I really like them. Another thought though. Maybe he is someone who learns better if things are written down or if he sees the numbers instead of counting other objects. If that's the case, he might get the facts in place more easily if you worked with flash cards or written drill sheets. Those sound boring, I know, but it might be worth a try. 
Peace,
Nancy
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ekbell
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| Posted: March 24 2010 at 5:58pm | IP Logged
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What I've done in a similar situation is show the child how to use a simple abacus for their regular math 
This gives them a feel for the numbers they are working with and allows them to continue to move forward.
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Ramie
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| Posted: March 24 2010 at 6:10pm | IP Logged
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Hi. I'm new here. My 3rd grader uses the Math Shark electronic device to practice Math Facts. He does this 2-4 times a week (depending on need and schedule) in addition to our Math curriculum. I have him spend about 10 minutes doing the drills, which probably results in 40-80 math problems each session.
When he was in 1st grade, he would get terribly frustrated with the Math facts worksheets that were in the back of the MCP book. So I tried using more hands on, interesting ways to practice. What I found is that while he was more willing to do it, the more creative ways didn't give him as much repetition, and it seemed like the facts would never sink in. The Math Shark is more fun because it's electronic, but efficient and repetitive (which I think helps him). Also, because the Math Shark times him (I require him to do 10 sets in a row within a specified timeframe before he can move on to the next level), he is motivated to really memorize, rather than relying on counting on, or other techniques. I don't know if something like this might work for your son. It has been really helpful for us.
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guitarnan
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| Posted: March 24 2010 at 7:07pm | IP Logged
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I love the idea of songs to learn facts, too! (My dd can sing all kinds of "America Rock" songs - that's how we taught her the basics of civics.) Some children really thrive in a musical learning environment.
There are so many great ideas here! Wish I'd known about some of them a few years ago... 
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Michiel
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| Posted: March 24 2010 at 7:29pm | IP Logged
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Thanks so much for the input. You know, when you've been struggling and struggling with something all year, it's good to step back and let someone point out the forest to you. Of COURSE, move forward and continue the drill. Why didn't I think of that?
We have a drill app on my itouch that my son loves to use, but I'll check out the math shark, too.
I'm still pursuing the music thing, though, because ds really does well with music. That is how I learned Greek alphabet, 50 states in alpha order, and so much more. BTW, there are a million times tables songs out in internet land, but nothing for addition, which is why I'm trying to compose.
Thanks so much for your help.
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Michiel
mom to two boys
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Teachin'Mine2
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| Posted: March 24 2010 at 9:58pm | IP Logged
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I just did a quick google and came up with this site. Looks like they may have what you're looking for, but I have no idea about price or anything.
http://www.songsforteaching.com/mathsongs.htm
You've already gotten great advice! Another idea I had is maybe you could give him something to do with his hands when you test him on his math facts - something that forces him to think instead of using his fingers. Maybe even some clay or something like that. I know some have tried having their children sit on their hands, but I'm not so sure that that stops them from counting on their fingers.
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mom of one 13yo dd
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4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers
Topic: rote learning math
