Feeling crazy~~ Do you explain the "why" behind the facts OR just the facts?

[Climbing Rose]

I didn't enjoy math much in school, because I was tired of always being told to just plug the numbers into the formulas-- and not being told *why* it all came out that way.

I was never going to do that to my DC.

So now, DS is 11 and very bright.  We were doing fractions with formulas and I was drawing all these pictures and explaining all these "whys" and getting all into it..... And I realized a few things.

1) I know less than I thought and might need help!  Do you think there is a good math dictionary that would help explain the 'whys' really well?

2) DS might not need to know the "whys."  Should I just stick with the facts and see if he even asks?

3) I might just be overwhelming him, with too much information  =(  and making it harder than it is.

I don't know why I get all caught up in this in math. 

In other subjects, I have no problem saying that no one knows exactly why this or that, or saying that, yeah- some of english terms get a little overboard.... but when it comes to math, I think I get a little intense. 

So what do you do with your DC?  Any advice?

We do have a little math dictionary, but it doesn't cover much.  And we have used some living books for math, but they don't seem to have one for everything.  I just ordered a teacher's guide to go along with our math program, but I am not sure if it is going into the 'why' or will just help explain the 'how' (and it's not really the 'how' that I need help with).

[*Jessica*]

I think the why is important.  Have you even seen http://www.khanacademy.org/ ?  They have some really great videos (like a video dictionary almost) that might be of some help to you.  Here's an example dealing with fractions, since you mentioned them. 

http://www.khanacademy.org/video/multiplying-fractions-and-mixed-numbers?playlist=Developmental%20Math

[lizzie]

We haven't really hit that point yet with our kids, but I my dh is HUGE on the "whys" behind any given facts. Or theories. Or vague thought processes. It's just how he is, so I know our kids will be getting hit with the whole nine yards when the time comes.

However... my mom is the same way, and when she was HSing my little brother, that just about killed it for both of them. She was positively frying his brain, and for awhile there they were both ending up in tears all too often. I didn't think it was worth it then, and we'll see how things go when it's "now" for us. My mom felt like she wasn't doing her job if my brother wasn't clear on all the details, but their brains just worked so differently, and he was feeling like "but I got it right, so what am I doing wrong?!" Could've easily been more of a clashing personality thing as well, so hard to say.

I guess my point is just that if you're both comfortable with him just knowing facts, and going into details is stealing the happiness out of learning, maybe take a break from it and see how that feels for both of you? :)

[aja-belly]

i think at this level the why's are certainly important. he's going to need that to build on for higher maths.  i would wait until you get the teacher's guide for that book you are using and if it doesn't seem adequate i would look for a curriculum that is more thorough especially if he is asking questions you don't know the answers to - because that sounds like what you and your son want and need from a curriculum. if he seems to be getting the concepts though and doesn't have more questions then you are probably doing good.

[luv my 2 sweeties]

This is why I went for a curriculum with math -- one that took an approach that emphasized the 'whys', and built skills in a logical order.  (RightStart -- LOVE it!) Thinking about how to do that on my own was overwhelming to me.   Now that I've had a child go all the way through the curriculum and another who is almost all the way through, I see the benefit of really understanding what is going on with the numbers.  For one thing, it makes it much easier for them to learn new math skills!  I've learned a lot myself, since my own math education was lacking in "whys".  RightStart won't likely work for your ds, as it's an elementary-level program, but I wonder if there are curricula out there geared toward middle-school aged children that can help him gain a deeper understanding of math and number manipulation.  Sorry I can't be more help on that score; maybe someone else will know of something that's good.

I do think it's important to know at least *some* of the whys, especially behind the more basic math functions that higher math is built upon.  Those who still have young children might want to look into RightStart. 

[Momma Aimee]

my thoughts on it -- mine are too small -- is that i had a college professor that was talking "why" all the time -- and i got so lost and fustrated ....i think that why both are equally valid too much theory without the pratical "put this numbere here, and add this" is too 'fluffy' and hard to hold on.

I think there has to be a balance and there is nothing wrong with plugging in the nuber and getting it right, the pratical applaiction is very functional.

I UNDERSTOOD Cal in college, but failed because of the "doing it" part -- so the why is not all there is to getting the math learned

Originally Posted by Love 

I didn't enjoy math much in school, because I was tired of always being told to just plug the numbers into the formulas-- and not being told *why* it all came out that way.

I was never going to do that to my DC.

So now, DS is 11 and very bright.  We were doing fractions with formulas and I was drawing all these pictures and explaining all these "whys" and getting all into it..... And I realized a few things.

1) I know less than I thought and might need help!  Do you think there is a good math dictionary that would help explain the 'whys' really well?

2) DS might not need to know the "whys."  Should I just stick with the facts and see if he even asks?

3) I might just be overwhelming him, with too much information  =(  and making it harder than it is.

I don't know why I get all caught up in this in math. 

In other subjects, I have no problem saying that no one knows exactly why this or that, or saying that, yeah- some of english terms get a little overboard.... but when it comes to math, I think I get a little intense. 

So what do you do with your DC?  Any advice?

We do have a little math dictionary, but it doesn't cover much.  And we have used some living books for math, but they don't seem to have one for everything.  I just ordered a teacher's guide to go along with our math program, but I am not sure if it is going into the 'why' or will just help explain the 'how' (and it's not really the 'how' that I need help with).

[Climbing Rose]

thanks.  i am going to go look at those links!