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Jenny-Fair -> RE: 8th grader struggling with math (4/1/2008 12:18:08 AM)
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Well, I'd go back to the beginning. Give up the textbooks, and don't make her memorize math facts--there's no reason to. Just go to www.donnayoung.org and print her out the tables. After she uses those for a year or so she'll pretty much have them memorized anyway, with much less frustration than trying to memorize them gives the both of you.
Then, go to addition. The concept of addition is the same no matter how many digits you use, so begin with 2 or 3 digit problems, with regrouping, and when she is confident in that, work up to 6 and 7 digits, and then up to 3 or 4 addends (456 + 234 + 789 + 987). When she has that down pat, go to subtracting with regrouping, in the same manner, working up to very large numbers, because the concept is the same at any size.
When you get to multiplication, she needs to understand what it means. That 3 x 7 is three groups of seven (or seven groups of three). It is critical that she understand this. Work up to where she can multiply, with pencil and paper, large numbers. This isn't about learning the facts, it's about learning the method.
Then go to long division. Be sure she understands what division means (how many groups of 3 are there in 21?). Begin with 1 digit divisors and 2 or 3 digit uh...numbers inside the box, lol. And teach her that guessing is a great tool. If you have 356 divided by 20, well, you'd guess since there are 5 20s in 100 that there would be 6 in 300 and then a couple extra..let's try 8, so 8 times 20 is 340 and yes, that is less than 356, so we'll try it..etc. Work up to large numbers.
When she has that down pat, she ought to have gained some confidence in math. When you begin this process simply say something like, "Since we are having problems in math I thought it might be helpful to go back to the beginning, in case in all our switching around between curricula we missed something! I'm going to do this with you since it's always good to practice basic math [and I mean this--print out two of everything and do it at the same time!]. We'll be done pretty quick and then we'll go from there. I know you are a bright girl, so it isn't your brain that is the problem--we just haven't found the right way to do this yet."
You can google math worksheets or make up your own problems. Do not be afraid to use manipulatives--we found Base 10 blocks very helpful for adding and subtracting with regrouping (understanding the concept and learning the method). After you do the above, she really should be able to start over with Key to Fractions...it is what I would recommend, UNLESS she has very negative feelings about it, in which case I'd look for something more neutral.
Do not attempt to speed ahead in order to 'catch up'. This will stress her out and create a block. Just take it at her pace, with lots of practice in the foundational parts of math. Not enough to frustrate or bore her, but enough to cement the concepts. When she used traditional textbooks she likely spent a small amount of time on each concept each year, never really going in-depth enough to understand it and gain confidence before moving on.
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