I am confused about my sons interest/ability in math and worried that this year - 3rd grade, with multiplication tables will be very hard on him.
Last year he had these timed math fact sheets which he just could not work through in time, even though I and the teacher could plainly see he was doing just fine with is other math.
he took the k-bit test last year as well, scoring 87th percentile in math so I figured, ok, maybe he is just average / bright in this area - the assessor did comment that he was just really taking his time with stuff.
I have expressed on this board in the past that I still feel there is something pretty mathy about the guy - I am just not sure how to develop/encourage it.
I started in on studying the multiplication tables with him early in august to give im a leg up if they go all timed-math-sheet on him again. To say the least, his enthusiasm levels were pretty LOW. I tried a different tack with the 6s the other night - decided to show him a pattern between 5s and 6s - take a 6 problem (6x3), and convert it to 5: 5x3 and then add 3. he seemed to be able to at least lift is head off the desk for this part but he still didnt want to write anything out. I asked him to work throuh the last several problems verbally so we could call it done - he worked throuh 5x6+6, and so on verbally though 12 for me. This seems like an ok level to be at, definitely, but I just feel like his math enthusiasm is going down, and Im afraid the multiplication tables might kill it altogether.
he says stuff like, I already know how to multiply, but its hard for me to see this since he as little interest in demonstrating it. he said the only class where he feels like they show him stuff he already knows is math class, but he says he doesnt mind it.
So anyway, I am just confused, maybe pushing him a bit in an area he just doesnt care about...but concerned about getting him to come out of his shell on some of this stuff. Any suggestions greatly appreciated...
Last edited by chris1234; 08/28/08 03:54 AM.
