Yes, I'm back with more math questions! I posted last week about dd and her struggles with math. I loved the idea of using manipulatives with her to help her start thinking mathmatically. Sometimes only half of my brain is here.... 
Yesterday 3 of my other kids were at the table designing towns with toothpicks but dd1 (9yo) was not at all interested. This is when the lightbulb went on. She has intention tremors, of course she isn't going to want to do this! Why am I thinking she'll want to work with manipulatives for math?!?!
BTW, for those who aren't familiar with intention tremors...when she reaches for things her hands get really shaky, making the task very difficult. For example, last year we got the game connect 4--she had a hard time putting the token pieces into the slot. The worst I've seen her is missing her mouth when eating, but that doesn't happen very often. It does seem to get worse when she is more anxious. I've really been hoping that homeschooling with help with her anxiety and fine motor skills will be easier.
Some things she can do--play the piano and typing. She's actually just learning to use the computer (thanks to a Webkinz) and took her first typing lesson the other day. BTW, I think the site is fabulous: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ I'm hoping these two activities will give her a little more control over her fingers. They may not be related at all, but I like to hope!!!
I figure finding someone with a similar situation is a stab in the dark. I'll welcome any insights or ideas anyone might have though. At the moment I'm just thinking doing life math--but I was really going for the "math-thinking" approach. The only other thought I have is getting big manipulatives, I think I've seen some cardboard bricks that are actualy size? I think that would be easier but not sure--she seems to be pretty clumsy too--balance trouble?
Thanks,
Dain
Yesterday 3 of my other kids were at the table designing towns with toothpicks but dd1 (9yo) was not at all interested. This is when the lightbulb went on. She has intention tremors, of course she isn't going to want to do this! Why am I thinking she'll want to work with manipulatives for math?!?!
BTW, for those who aren't familiar with intention tremors...when she reaches for things her hands get really shaky, making the task very difficult. For example, last year we got the game connect 4--she had a hard time putting the token pieces into the slot. The worst I've seen her is missing her mouth when eating, but that doesn't happen very often. It does seem to get worse when she is more anxious. I've really been hoping that homeschooling with help with her anxiety and fine motor skills will be easier.
Some things she can do--play the piano and typing. She's actually just learning to use the computer (thanks to a Webkinz) and took her first typing lesson the other day. BTW, I think the site is fabulous: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ I'm hoping these two activities will give her a little more control over her fingers. They may not be related at all, but I like to hope!!!
I figure finding someone with a similar situation is a stab in the dark. I'll welcome any insights or ideas anyone might have though. At the moment I'm just thinking doing life math--but I was really going for the "math-thinking" approach. The only other thought I have is getting big manipulatives, I think I've seen some cardboard bricks that are actualy size? I think that would be easier but not sure--she seems to be pretty clumsy too--balance trouble?
Thanks,
Dain
you're not?!?! now what?! 
