Miscellaneous Math Teaching and Curricula Questions

These are questions individual have asked me over email, and my answers. Some of them may fit your situation or otherwise help folks, so I've published some here (without the askers' names).

Please see Frequently Asked Questions about Math Mammoth also. The questions on this page are not frequently asked at all... (just once!).

I am hoping you have some recomendations for me. I am not a teacher, nor a homeschooler, but am trying to be both to my 9 year old daughter this summer. She is a very bright kid, but has a huge issue with math. She has made "I hate math" a conerstone of her self-image. I'm looking for advice on how to help her in spite of her attitude. :) She's just finished 3rd grade, and her school uses the Everday Mathematics curriculum. I have purchased copies of the 2 workbooks as well as the student reference book to use, and have been going through and assigning problems every day. Any advice you can provide is much appreciated!

I would suggest that you take a break from "worksheet" type math. During this time, get math readers from library or buy some. Read them with her and let her read also. While reading, try to take note if there are any particular math topics that are difficult for her.

Check these articles of mine to get a better idea of this kind of "living math" -- using math readers to teach math:

"Living Math" articles on my blog,
A short list of math readers
A long and extensive list of math readers from LivingMath.net.

You don't need all of them... try locate a few from the library for starters, and just read them together.

The purpose of this is many-fold:

1. to let your daughter again enjoy math
2. to let your daughter learn some concepts and mathematical ideas (whatever you might choose) from those books
3. to let you see how she responds and give you some idea what she understand and doesn't understand.

Then once she relaxes (may be a month or later), try also ask her directly what she finds difficult in math. And go from there.

We did a type of "test" with my son this past week. There were definitely some holes, and he should be going into Algebra this coming fall!!! The lady I spoke to mentioned taking him thru Saxon 87 and then moving on to Algebra. She doesn't really like Saxon but she did mention that the 87 has some really great review of concepts.
Then, I read your review of Saxon on your website and I'm all confused!!! I did purchase Saxon 87 at $15 so it wouldn't be much lost if I needed to ditch it, however, I don't want to ditch it without another viable choice. We are on our way to Florida tomorrow, but when we get back I could email you the problem areas from the test or fax you the test to see what you think. Otherwise, we will continue with the Saxon review. I really need to get him caught up because his math "self esteem" is gone!! His sister will be ready to go into Algebra I, and that is just too much for him (his sister is going into 8th grade, he should be moving into Algebra II). Let me know what you think, please.

This is what came to my mind: you could try use a computer based online curriculum for pre-algebra.

It could both get his math self-esteem back, give you a break from teaching, and help him with pre-algebra topics (get him ready for algebra).

Typically these kind of curricula include self-tests and reporting for the parent to check. The student can adjust their own pace etc. There are many different ones though. I'm not sure I can help you choose...

Thinkwell
YourTeacher
a longer list of online curricula. Note: some of those listed on that page are NOT full curricula, but just practice systems (without the teaching part).

I'm not saying this is the only option, but it might work. You don't have to "ditch" Saxon because he can use it as a reference book.

I am torn between using Right Start, Singapore, or Math Mammoth with my daughter who is just starting her schooling journey. Do you have any insight to share that might help?

If you are torn and totally unable to decide, try Singapore with Math Mammoth (if you can afford both). You would basically use one of them as your "spine" that you go by, and then for each topic, check the corresponding lesson in the other, if it has good explanations or problems. You wouldn't do all problems in both.

Then, if you like RightStart, buy their math games book (but not the whole curriculum), which allows you to incorporate their games into your math lessons here and there.

Please note, this does NOT mean that you have to buy two curricula or that you have to buy Singapore in particular to go with my LightBlue series. The LightBlue series is a stand-alone full math curriculum. This just was my advice to an individual who seemingly desperately wanted to have three curricula and couldn't choose between them.

You do not need to start on memorizing multiplication tables BEFORE grade 3. If you want to, you can show her the basic idea of the concept of multiplication. But just leave the memorizing work for the actual grade 3.

I would rather concentrate now on her addition and subtraction and place value and solidify them. You said, "she does not re-group to the nearest ten digit in her head." Also if she can't catch gross mistakes, that points to the direction that she has not COMPLETELY understood place value.

Place value is a crucial concept to understand! So, check how well she understands the material in these Blue Series books:

Place Value 1
Add & Subtract 2-A
Add & Subtract 2-B
Place Value 2

That is certainly plenty of material, so no need for multiplication... it's much more important to make sure she understands place value and addition. The kids are supposed to spend quite a long time on multiplication ON 3rd grade so there should be enough time for memorization then.

Ask YOUR question!