Hi all, my son is 16 and in 10th gr. and is very behind in math and I feel like I need to start from the beginning so he can understand it. I do have the Mathematics An Instrument for Living Teaching and the dvd, but I wonder if I have enough time to teach him this way in order for him to learn what he needs before he graduates. I would appreciate any help. Thanks so much.
In your situation one option I would suggest is to purchase (used) the DVDs and test booklets for Math-U-See as far back as the two of you think he needs to go. Then I would have my son watch a video, take a test, correct his mistakes. Watch a video, take a test, correct his mistakes. He should easily be able to get through two weeks of content a day, maybe a month or more in the lower levels where all he needs is a refresher. I’m not familiar with the curriculum you asked about- hopefully you will get a response from someone who is. Theoretically my suggestion should work for many different curricula. But I know from experience it works with MUS.
(You May even be able to borrow the discs and make your own tests by taping over answers in filled out workbooks if that’s all you can swing right now.)
I agree with the other posts. For highschool we like Videotext. It covers algebra and geometry in less time. We also use Math U See Stewardship in 12th grade, taking two math at the same time, if needed.
is a good review and catch up book. It is a remiadial college text so perhaps you could use it with your SCM video to find holes and speed through what he knows. Its also cheap used😀
Salina, I never actually used it, but from what I’ve seen of it, the lessons appear to be short and use money for teaching the facts. I’m not sure if that helps any.
My son struggles in math, also. He is in 9th grade now. In January 2017, I studied Mathematics An Instrument for Living Teaching and the dvd sold here at SCM. I used the methods with our CLE Sunrise math teacher’s guide and the Strayor Upton math books recommended by Richele, author of Mathematics An Instrument for Living Teaching. I see significant improvements with his math understanding when I use these methods. However, it does take my time to help him. He just does not do well with an independent math program. What has helped him the most is when I make up stories to go with the math problem that he can relate to. So the math book may have simply 2/3 of 249. I put a story with it. “You completed 2/3 of a Lego set with 249 pieces. How many pieces have you put together?” Then I can carry the question further if I want to. “How many pieces are left?” “If the set cost $20, what is the cost per piece?” “If another set costs $40 and has 374 pieces, which one is the better value?” Now he can see why math is useful and important. Now that we are getting into algebra and more complex numbers, I am having a harder time coming up with stories to go with the problems. These oral, mental math exercises can be used with other curriculum with your help. And you can use a white board and household items like money as manipulatives as needed. The Strayer Upton book has word problems you can use for ideas though. It is very inexpensive at Rainbow Resource or CBD.
I havent used these particular books, but I have read much from the authhor and really like her approach. This is book 1, there is also a book 2. Completing both books would take your child from basic math through pre algebra. I believe you could comfortably complete both books in one school year.
Thank you Wings2fly. I do have the red Strayer Upton book and Mathematics An Instrument for Living Teaching and the dvd. I wonder if I could use the methods with Math-U-See? 🙂
I typed a nicer reply twice but I don’t know what happened to them! The main points are the links I shared above and to ask why after the mental math exercises so they explain the math strategy they used. I encourage you to view the DVD and see how you can apply CM math methods to what you have. Give it a try.
Another important part is to ask “why” when they answer. They tell the math strategy used. The book and DVD explain it further. This post may help too: