Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Math acceleration advice needed.... (kind of long)

My DS worked on "Conquersmath" for a while. It's more comprehensive than Aleks. It comes from the UK so the money units are Euro, but other than that it was a good program although it's been a couple of years, have no idea if it has changed.

Process skills in problem solving are like word problems, the difference is that they want you to use model drawing to solve, developing skills they'll need for algebra. So for each problem, you draw squares to represent either given or not known numbers, then figure it out from there. Its basically algebra, but instead of 2x+5=15 It would be represented by squares instead of letters.
The problems can be solved other ways, even in your head. The point is to draw the models to develop the skills for the future.

I would recommend these workbooks 100 times more than the SM extensive/intensive practice, or whatever its called. My child has already been tortured enough through the school system with "extra" work, I can't imagine doing that to her.

Exactly, you can tell them there is nothing to install on the server.

I know it has been a month.... Just a quick update: principle indicated that the technology department has (reluctantly) approved ALEKS. Yeah! DD7's current teacher is on board with the idea. She even mentioned that she has several students working on the computer for reading, so DD should just blend in when she is working on the online math program. Now we are just waiting for the principle to make the final decision and purchase the program. The principle even mentioned that we might be able to help some kids catching up using the online program as well.

Thanks to all who responded with inputs and suggestions. Until we see the actual program implemented and used by students, we are still keeping our fingers crossed. At least, getting a program approved is a step closer than the last two years of trying.

Mag

Great news! I hope that it works out well for your DD and for the other students who might use it.