| Author | |
Jamberry77
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 15 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 243
|
| Posted: Sept 15 2010 at 10:25am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
You moms who have experience and can guide me to options, please add your opinions.
Seventh grader son has done Rightstart Math K-4th, then he did Rightstart Geometry for 5th and 6th grades (we both thought it was way too hard and disliked it). Now for 7th grade we are doing a book called Challenge Math which seems to cover most math basics (like percents, probability, some trigonometry, etc.) but it's all word problems and meant as a fun book for kids gifted in math.
I think he may be behind in basic skills due to our use of non-traditional materials in 5th, 6th, and 7th grades.
He's very slow at math and hates math. As of now, I'm planning for him to do Algebra I in 9th grade, then Geometry then Alg. II or whatever is typical, and we are planning on using Kolbe's recommendations for those.
Seems like 8th grade will be his final chance to catch up with what he may have missed earlier.
What would you recommend? He's not afraid of hard work, but he does like to feel successful and he hasn't had that in a few years, poor kid.
Thanks for your reply. You'll allow me to look up three or four texts instead of 14 or 15.
Thanks!
Edited to add: I'm open to ditching Challenge Math and doing something else for 7th grade.
__________________
Kelly, mom to 9th and 5th graders
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mom3aut1not
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 757
|
| Posted: Sept 15 2010 at 4:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kelly,
Have you looked at the Key to .... series? (Key Curriculum Press)
In Christ,
__________________
Deborah
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: Sept 15 2010 at 5:03pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kelly
What type of learner is your son? That should play a major factor in what can work.
My oldest son used to hate maths for many years, our approach didn't help. Now he doesn't mind it.
We switched to mathematics.com.au something similar to your teaching textbooks the format of audio (his learning style) and better clarity than mine really made a big difference.
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cathhomeschool
Board Moderator
Texas Bluebonnets
Joined: Jan 26 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7303
|
| Posted: Sept 17 2010 at 9:40am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Word problems are great because that's usually how we encounter math in the real world on a day to day basis. However if your son is struggling with the basics then he may find them frustrating. Is he understanding and progressing in what you've done of Challenge Math so far?
As for textbooks that really teach and explain to the child, I love Math-U-See and Teaching Textbooks. They both have components for audio learners as well as visual learners. We've never used the videos, though. I just use the text to teach or they teach themselves by reading the lessons. Kolbe recommends Jacobs (Alg 1 and Geom) and Foerster (Alg 2 and trig). While I really like Jacobs and we've used it with success (even my son who struggles with math), I think that Teaching Textbooks explains more. I haven't seen Foerster but know that they are similar in style.
__________________
Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Jamberry77
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 15 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 243
|
| Posted: Sept 27 2010 at 3:26pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
After reading some old posts obtained through searches, and looking at samples online, I ordered Life of Fred (Decimals and Percents, and Fractions), the Lial Basic College Mathematics (it was cheap used), and the Key to ... series to use as needed. My hope is that he will feel (and be) competent in math, something he lacks right now.
Thank you, Ladies, for your assistance.
__________________
Kelly, mom to 9th and 5th graders
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stacykay
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 08 2006
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1858
|
| Posted: Sept 27 2010 at 3:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jamberry77 wrote:
...
I think he may be behind in basic skills due to our use of non-traditional materials in 5th, 6th, and 7th grades.
|
|
|
I missed your question when you first posted, but I hope you don't mind an add. I have a good friend who teaches high school calculus, and we have spent a lot of time discussing "math." Everyone of her recommendations to me has been to get my boys' 100% up to speed on all of their basics before we move on to anything else. She has said too many times for me to count, how frustrating it is for her and her students, that many were passed along without having basic skills, including a solid foundation of fractions and decimals.
Every fall, she is spending time on reviewing/teaching, what they should have learned. Once all that is down pat, she requires her students to memorize every formula. as they come up. She doesn't allow any calculator usage in her class (something that my private highschool sons have always had in advanced math.) Her students have won awards left and right, and so many come back to thank her for her hard work, once they've gone to college.
So, my biggest goals for my guys are basics. Lots and lots of different approaches, to make sure they get it. And she has mentioned Key to workbooks, as a good refresher, too. I only wish she was closer to help in tutoring! (IA vs. MI.)
We are currently using a mix of Saxon and TT. I'll be using Life of Fred for review after we finish TT7.
Please keep us posted on how you like your "new" curriculum. It is so helpful to hear how others like/use the many resources for their different learners.
In Christ,
Stacy in MI
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Teachin'Mine2
Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 22 2010
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 242
|
| Posted: Sept 29 2010 at 10:35am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I know many don't like Saxon, but we've found that the texts teach the material very well, and the daily review really cements what they've learned. I'd highly recommend 8/7 for pre-algebra this year. It may be that the challenging book he's using is expecting that the student already has the math behind solving the problems down pat and isn't teaching it to them. They may show how to approach the problem, but not give them step by step instructions. Usually when kids hate math, it's because they're not doing well in it. Giving him a good text, whatever one you go with, with clear instructions may help him to enjoy math.
__________________
mom of one 13yo dd
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers
Topic: Options for math-hating boy
