Learning math

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Registered: 02-24-2004
Learning math
7
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 3:43pm

Ok, we're doing great with the reading. But math is still a subject he's having a problem with. Well, actually...I'm not real sure on that! He does fine if he has something to count. Like dots, or pictures, dominoes...any kind of picture they put on his homework papers. He does great doing his math this way.

So, I was wondering .......should I try flashcards. Maybe memorizing the addition and subtraction facts would be beneficial for him. Have any of you done this approach? Or have you let the schools teach them their math? I have Nathan doing some math at home, because he doesn't always get homework every day.

Our school does the timed math problems. I think they start in 2nd grade. I'm a bit concerned that when next year comes, he'll be struggling. Any advice?

michelle

Avatar for littleroses
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Registered: 03-28-2003
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 4:36pm

My daughter is in the 2nd grade and doing those timed math tests. She is having a hard time as well. They taught her to add last year, but counting dots on a number. So like the number 4 had a dot on all four corners of the numeral. So as she added up 4 + 7 she could go to each number and count each dot's place on the number to get to 11. I don't know what method this is called. Anyway, the thing is that it was sorta good and sorta not. Because she is very visual, it was an excellent method for her because she can't always draw apples or dots or whatever to count. Mentally, she can just count them on the number itself now. The downside was that she would only add up numbers in this way. Although accurate, it's very tedious. So using flashcards to use her other strength, which is her strong memory. The combination of the two has been pretty good. I don't think she would be as far without that "dot system", yet she had to move on from the dot system as well.

I also am curious what others have done.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 6:27pm

LR -

The method you are describing is Touch Math. I actually used it to teach Caiti math when she was around 1st grade because she wasn't understanding with manipulatives. She kept misplacing things, etc. Those Darn executive function skills.

Touch Math is a great start and some kids get really quick with them. I have used it on my own for both kids but they have not been taught it in school. I kind of did it in addition to what they were learning in school. I don't know if it was a good thing or not.

Michelle, If you want to teach him math facts or have him practice it at home, I would recomend getting him one of those educational computer games. Jumpstart has some nice programs and there are others as well. Then he can practice the facts in a fun way.

There are even some fun websites online where you can play math games. Then they are learning in a fun way. And our guys tend to be good with computers. I was starting to use some of those to help Mike master his multiplication facts.

Renee

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Registered: 02-24-2004
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 6:43pm

Thanks guys!

Actually, that's the exact math that they are using at our school. Touch Math. Thanks Renee...I didn't know the name of it!! lol

He does do ok with it, I'm just concerned that it will take forever for him to count every single dot...just to get the answer!!!!

I was thinking of the flashcard thing, because that's how you learn your times tables....memorize them!!! I thought that it might be a good idea.

I'll look into the computer games, and see what they have!

thanks,
michelle

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 7:53pm

Memorizing hasn't worked for my kids at all. Since they memorize so many other things that just threw me, but it isn't uncommon for our kids to have trouble with memorizing thier facts. However, Emily is memorizing her addition and subtraction tables and Mike and Cait have had to as well. It just takes them longer and sometimes they forget them unfortunately.

It wouldn't hurt to try to get him to memorize them. He will have to have them memorized some day anyway.

Renee

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Registered: 03-31-2003
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 7:15pm

It will be important for him to know those math facts (6+7=13, etc.) when he starts doing two digit addition and subtraction, but flash cards aren't for everyone. Every time David's teacher writes a note to all the parents, she includes a thing about "keep working on those math facts", but David really, really resists doing that kind of stuff at home.

I had success one day, when I made a secret message for him to work out. That was right up his alley. He needed to do a math problem for each letter, and then the answer would correspond to a letter. The message said, "You have just won two dollars," which *I* thought was pretty cool, but he was pretty disappointed. LOL! Money doesn't excite him; I should have made it say something like, "You have just won a time portal that will take you to The Time Before Time to visit the Bionicles."

You'll have to decide what is best for Nathan, but if it is enjoyable and fits his
personality, you'll have the most success.

Evelyn

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Registered: 03-31-2003
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 8:58pm

Renee,

I've never heard of Touch Math, but whenever I have to add up a list of numbers, I've always found that it helps to kind of count up dots, like what I think you are talking about. I didn't know other people did that, though, or that it was taught as an actual technique. I realize now that I'm a tactile thinker/learner (if that's even a category), so maybe that's why it helps. Like, I'm a good speller when I write/type, but the only way I can spell a long word out loud is to make the writing motion with my hand. If I was competing in a spelling bee, I'd look really funny, writing words in the air! I wonder if Touch Math is particularly good for some people but not for others.

Evelyn

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 9:14pm

One thing that worked for us memorizing facts is to make a game out of it over the dinner table. Kind of a challenge. We started with ones the kids were definitely successful with at thier level and then kept challenging and practicing. We still do this. Mike and Cait do multiplication and division facts, Emily addition and subtraction, Dave simple addition. We just take turns.

Renee

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