Math Placement

[jlpumkin]

We are hsing in August. We just moved in Feb. When we left DD's old school the teacher gave us all of the remaining math workbooks. Her new school already covered some of this material and is now finishing out the year with review. DD is picking it up, but definitely struggling. DD won't be returning to her current school next year for 2d grade.

My original intent was to repeat 1st grade math (using Saxon) w/ her next year at a relatively light workload since it will be mostly review. But in cleaning out some boxes I just came across all of these workbooks. The workbooks are mainly the lessons that she missed on the placement test - obviously because she hasn't had much work in them. So now I figure I have 2 options.. 1. scrap the workbooks from old school and just repeat grade 1. 2. review using the workbooks and then retest placement and select appropriate grade level.

I'm leaning towards 2 just because if dd is bored she tunes out. And also because in general she's a quick study and could potentially fill in the gaps using a program she's already familiar with and enjoys. And lets face it - it allows me to put off shelling out the cash for Math curricula for a couple of months

Either way, I know that some of you more experienced mommas will have some valuable insights.. any recommendations?

[Callimom]

If she is in school now and covering this info I would wait until you plan to start your homeschooled lessons and she where she is at that point. A lot of early math concepts are easily covered in real life and can "gel" with maturity rather than drill. Most math programs will cover much the same content in grade 2 as grade 1 and you will be able to address any holes in her learning at that point. The process of learning and covering curriculum is much different in a one on one situation than in a classroom situation.

And if she's a quick study I would reconsider using Saxon which is often not the best choice for kids who don't need a lot of drill and repetition. Singapore, Miquon or Math U See might be a better choice.
hth
Karen

[aris99]

Hi,

I'm not exactly "experienced" but if this were my daughter, I would ascertain which skills she needs to hone and work on those alone. I would not repeat 1st grade. I use singapore math for my 8 yr old. We skip the parts she can do in her sleep and work on the parts that consistently give her problems. We don't go by any specific grade level. Right now we are alternating between the 3rd grade books and the 5th grade books.

So I think you should maybe consider throwing out the grade and just look at your dd's strengths and weaknesses.

HTH a little!

[jlpumkin]

aris99: I would ascertain which skills she needs to hone and work on those alone.

I think that this is what I had in mind in option 2

aris99: We skip the parts she can do in her sleep and work on the parts that consistently give her problems.

This is what I had in mind for option 1

In the interest of full disclosure, since DD is math phobic it is my desire to give her a confidence building year. Not so easy she's bored but gentle enough that she begins to think - hey I know this stuff!

[AnnR33]

Do you know yet what program you're going to be using? Saxon or another?
Most programs have free on-line placement tests you can take to see if they should stay in a level or move up. I'd take the test for whatever program it is and see how she does after the end of this school year.

Even if she is on the edge of the levels and you go up a level you can always take it slow and do some review in the weak areas.

[jlpumkin]

Yeah, we are using Saxon. We took the placement test and BOMBED the 1st grade level. Which is what gave me the original placement. I know that Saxon has a lot of drill, which she needs on things that she just doesn't understand... but I figure on things she does understand we just do a few problems and I can say - "Great! You have this down, lets move on." ~ for the confidence boost.

[moominmamma]

Originally Posted by jlpumkin

Yeah, we are using Saxon. We took the placement test and BOMBED the 1st grade level. Which is what gave me the original placement. I know that Saxon has a lot of drill, which she needs on things that she just doesn't understand...

I disagree that she needs a lot of drill for things she doesn't understand. At a first grade level what she probably needs is a different way of understanding what she doesn't understand -- not drill. It may come with maturity, or it may come by using a program with a very different orientation and style of presentation. But I would caution against just doing more of whatever isn't working.

Also, it occurs to me that since you say she is math phobic perhaps the poor results on the placement test were a result of panic and not lack of understanding. In which case above all I'd look for something that doesn't provoke panic. RightStart might be a good possibility in that vein.

Miranda

[jlpumkin]

I certainly value you wise mothers input and will continue to examine math options. I appreciate all of your ideas!

[jlpumkin]

You all are so fabulous... after looking into Math U see I think you're probably right that I need to worry a little less about placement and a lot more about technique. I think we are going that route instead