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Used to love math
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I have a 6-year-old and this is our first term schooling. He learned lots of math just through living before school (including fractions, addition, subtraction, basic multiplication, etc.) and is very good at math, I think. I never set out to teach him anything, he was always curious and I just explained things as we went about our day. I have always been good at math, and my brain thinks EXACTLY like Right Start Math, so that is what we went with. We started with Level B, and he LOVED it, telling everyone math was his favorite subject. But this week he started making complaining sounds when it was math time. When I told him I thought math was his favorite subject, he responded by saying that he doesn’t like it any more because it we are always repeating the same thing. In his mind, adding ones and tens and hundreds is the same, so going through specific lessons on these seems like repetition to him. And so on with some of the other concepts… I don’t want to skip things, because I want to make sure he really DOES understand each concept. But I also don’t want him to be bored and not like math any more. Any ideas?
I have a child that got easily bored when learning to read. I kept changing programs to try to keep his attention and it’s something I really regret. He went from being ahead in reading to really being behind in it. So, I think if you can stick with what you are doing on something foundational, like reading or math, it’s worth doing it
And kids will go through times of finding things boring. If it’s too easy for him, I’d probably find a way to spice it up. My nephew is hating math right now, but if he gets to do all the addition in his head, it’s not boring and it’s not a huge chore. So, my sister can say, “What’s 132 plus 254?” and he answers her and they get through the lesson that way. Maybe something like that would work?
Does he like the RS games? My ds (7yo) will also sometimes give me the “this is boring” reponse. Since he loves the games I will tell him we can play a game after the lesson is complete. That helps his attitude and gives him more practice. Maybe take a break from lessons and just play games?
I have used the 1st edition with my son and now the second time with my daughter. I am comfortable skipping some things I know she knows and combining lessons or I may just do the games one day. And it is all okay. The main things to teach are the strategies using their AL abacus and helping them have good mental math. And much of the last part of level B is reviewed in the first lessons of level C.
Elementary math is extremely repetitive. Some researcher measured it a few years back, and between 20% and 80% of each year’s work was a repeat of the year before—higher percentages in the early years, lower as you get into middle school topics. So with a child who catches on easily, you can skip quite a lot and have no trouble at all.
You can also modify the lessons so they don’t seem so repetitive. For instance, if you have a page of numbers-only calculations, instead of having him work them normally, each of you pick three of them to turn into story problems for the other person to solve.
And most elementary math programs focus on arithmetic. Be sure to take time for geometry and other topics, like this Land or Water? maze game. Or form drawing, Waldorf style.
“Try reading, “About Teaching Mathematics,” by Marilyn Burns. It’s a great book and I found it in pdf for free online. It’s normally about $40 or so. She has several other books, including really fun lesson books. I just ordered a book from her “math and literature,” collection…I can’t wait. Check her out, I think you’ll find some relief, much like I FINALLY have!
both of my kids despise working problems on paper with pencil. So I bought little lap boards and a pack of white board markers and they work out the problems on it then write the answer on the worksheet. The problem I found was they dislike the eraser peelings from the pencil. I’m a do whatever works kinda girl, so I do not require them show their work because unlike public school, I really do want to encourage mental math and my daughter usually will do most of hers mentally. As for the repetitive part…I tell mine that if they do 25% and get all correct then they can skip the other 75%, but if they miss just one, then they must do the rest. This encourages them that accuracy matters and heck who doesn’t ike getting an instant reward for a job well done! I hope this helps you. OH, I also find it funny that my kids learned how to determine what was 25% super fast!! motivation is the key for sure! LOL
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