Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Homeschooling math dilemma

Ds, age 6, is PG. We are homeschooling for that reason. Things are going fairly well--except that I am second-guessing math decisions. I have him in Singapore 3 now, and it's going fine. Math is probably his least favorite subject, and he could be far more accelerated than he is.

I've slowed it down because he is not intuitively mathematical, and I would like him to learn a lot of the mental math strategies in the Singapore curriculum. We spend a lot of time--even weeks without moving forward--playing games and doing other activities to try to reinforce the mental math aspect. Singapore has taught me to be more intuitive with numbers, and I think it is a very valuable skill that I would like ds to learn. The problem is that he only uses those strategies in the moment when I'm emphasizing it. Then he immediately reverts back to scratch paper and algorithms.

I thought this was the perfect balance---slowing down his pace through the curriculum while still developing his cognitive skills and challenging him. But it just isn't working. It's been 1 1/2 years now, and he just isn't doing mental math. Should I give up and just let him fly through curriculum? He understands the concepts, just prefers not to solve problems doing mental math. Am I wasting time or will it pay off? Thoughts?

Stacey

I have no advice, just wanted to say that my ds6 does the same thing. I was planning to slow down, but now I see that it still may not work. Looking forward what others have to say about this.

Much of early math is arithmetic and simple number theory. Most "math" is about formal systems and logic, ie word problems. So, some kids who resist early math, later blossom as they progress deeper into it.

My DD is the same way- she *CAN* use the mental math strategies but she much prefers pencil & paper calculation. I don't sweat it.

If you are not currently using the Singapore Challenging Word Problems and Intensive Practice books, I would highly recommend adding those. I believe that it's better to go "deeper" with math than faster.

Ditto with my dd, who is using Singapore Math. I decided that I can't "make" her do math any other way than the way she wants to (as long as she understands). It's not worth the frustration, imo. I will still teach her the SM way but I'm not going to sweat it either.

My ds is using 2a.. would Singapore Challenging Word Problems be too hard for him? His reading skills are no where near his math skill level...

Same here, too. DD can do the mental math, but math has been more fun since we moved on. I've seen her use the mental math standing in line at the store or someplace where there is no paper. Singapore is good, but it doesn't work for everyone.

You might want to start with the Intensive Practice books in that case. The IP problems tend to require less in the way of reading skills than CWP, particularly in the early levels.

I'm in a little bit of a situation with singapore 1A. My DS is almost 5, EG possibly PG. The arithmatic is boring him to tears. Do I teach several concepts parallel to each other instead of in a linear progression?

You can find some intetesting method to help your DS do mental math. My DD has been doing math online from a website called beestar. The worksheets are problem-solving type, good to help kids thinking and free. Math is now DD's favorite. Hope it helps.
Lisa