Math - Ugh!
Math - There are not any shortcuts. I wish I could get that through my children's heads. Especially in math. They must do all of their work every day, have it graded and be tutored on each of the problems they missed. This goes back to my post on accountability. I have to ensure that this entire process happens each day. Math cannot wait a few days.
My children are very good about getting most of their subjects completed but my youngest continues to try to get away with not doing his math or more precisely, he doesn't do portions of his math. He simply skips over what he can't instantly recall.
He does struggle with remembering what he has previously learned so math programs that jump from skill to skill without repetition of previous skills are not well suited for him.
I have taught fractions, decimals, and percents so many times that I keep thinking this will be the last time I have to teach this skill. They know it now. Well, lofty thought. I have gone back to a math review for my youngest. I am having him do the Key-To series in my attempt to get those skills stuck solidly in his head. He needed to move onto algebra but is struggling with basic concepts making algebra impossible.
The Key-To series only works on one skill family for a whole series of books. It should give him plenty of repetition and quickly bring his skill level up to the level required to be able to complete his algebra program.
I suppose one of the best benefits of home schooling is the ability to work with each individual child on the exact material that would benefit them the most.
I thank the Lord for allowing me the ability to continue to home school. I pray for clarity of thought and the ability to see my children's real needs and my role in fulfilling those needs.
As always,
Blessings,
Julie
posted by Julie Russell @ 5:36 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Let me tell you what worked for my reluctant math student-and reluctant is a mild word. Stop doing math. Just stop. Life is too short and homeschooling should be freeing, not just doing the same thing at home that they'd be doing in a classroom with less supervision. Give him a break.
Meanwhile, find a math program (or make something up yourself) that causes him to use math skills to do something he's actually interested in. If he loves to work with power tools, draw your new pergola plans and give him the responsibility of figuring out all the lumber requirements, lengths, cuts, number of screws needed, etc.
I wasn't good at ANY kind of math in (public) school - oh I made good grades in it, including Algebra I & II, but I didn't retain any understanding at all. After I was married, though, and began working in the decorative fabrics industry, having to figure yardage requirements for drapery, bedding and upholstery projects, and later as a bank teller, you can believe I was interested and motivated to learn math and learn it quickly. Now I use math (& algebra) all the time.
We didn't do math for 4 years. Is my son behind? Yep, according to some, in computational math, not in the understanding of the principles. But he's not behind for HIM. That's, in my opinion, what it really means to tailor your teaching to each child, and homeschooling allows you to do that.
To tell the truth, today's normal school system does not teach subjects according to when our children's brains are ready for them. If it did, they'd be teaching mostly foreign languages from pre-K to 4th grade. Your son may just not be ready for Math, or wasn't when he started and so developed a distaste for it that manifests in less rebellious ways than screaming and crying because you're raising a respectful and polite young man.
Is your son a reader? Then while he's taking a break from computational math, give him biographies of the great mathematicians to read. Does he love science? Get an intro class for Chem or Physics (I say intro so that there's less actual math to be done.) Does he love the sea? Oceanography employs a lot of math, as does navigation. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch is, according to my son, his favorite book, which he read shortly after I gave up and gave him a break from math, yet the book is FULL of math.
We're finally doing math again in our homeschool. But my son is older now and knows his passion and calling - music. So the curriculum we're using is Math & Music by Wildwood. Suddenly he's interested and motivated. Imagine that! Will he be behind in math when he graduates. Nope. In fact, I think he'll be much further ahead than if I'd shoved math down his throat all that time. And I had 4 peaceful years, with no arm twisting or teeth pulling. Sweet.
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