Seeking Moms Feedback on How to Help My Son with Math

Hi there,
I am a high school math teacher, and used to teahc 8th grade math as well. I reccommend that you work with him on the basics. They are not allowed to use calculators on the 8th TAKS, and therefore need to know hte basics: he must memorize his multiplication tables (flash cards are great practice for this) which in turn will help with his division. Practice adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing with decimals (up to four or five places) and with fractins and ixed numbers. The more practice, the easier it will be. Knowing the basics backwards and forwards will make high school math much easier as well, and then he'll be allowed to use the calculator.

the previous posters offer sounds awesome! Sounds like the perfect solution to have a tutor. Math is fun and it makes sense pretty much only when you have a good teacher. Most people I know who don't like math is more because they were taught poorly than anything else.

I homeschool my six year old and we use "math-u-see". They have a website online and are truly awesome...so far. My daughter went from grudingly working on her math to eagerly working on it. There is a DVD that comes with it with an instructor that teaches the lessons on it. They might have a forum or something on their website if you have qustions. I'm not sure.ours is still so basic. Anyway I highly recommend it. Let me know if you're interested and have any questions.

R.,
I (and my husband) own a tutoring business which works with kids all over DFW. We have highly qualified (often certified) tutors who we run background checks on before they come out. They do come to your home to do one-on-one tutoring. During the summer, we have the Next Step Prep program which would introduce new 8th grade math concepts to your son to get him ready for 8th grade and help build his confidence. No long-term contracts, so you use us as long as you feel you need to. If you want more information or have questions you can look us up online at www.risingscholars.com or call us at ###-###-####. Hope this helps, and maybe we can talk to you soon.

I know this may sound like a wasy out, but the way they are doing kids these day it is very h*** o* them, my son is the same way sn with math it was a struggle, I am noy usually one to go outside of the family, but we did everything we could, and the best thing was a place called Kumon, it was wonderful and It has paid off for a long time he does really great at math now it does cost but it was well worth it.

I would try Sylvan learning centers. They will give him some additional study techniques and problem solving strategies for what he will need in Math. Also, if you would like to get some additional work for him to do this summer, there is a store in Duncanville called Every Season and they have books called TAKS Master, they are white books with red and blue stars on them and they have excellent practice problems.

Mindmendors is absolutely fabulous.

Have you tried Kumon Centers? I haven't used it myself but have a friend whose son is in it and she highly recommends it. Austin goes during the school year as well as a supplement to his regular school instruction.

Hi R.,

Check with your son's friends older siblings for honor student in math. Works great for us.
Good luck.

Sounds like you've already got an answer - Mesquite is a bit far from Wichita Falls for me to be much direct help for you. Find a good tutor, and never say "I was bad at math too" - while a talent for it might be genetically linked (one of my children is several years ahead in math - through relatively little doing of my own); difficulty - short of dyscalculia is really more of a mindset for most kids.

That said, I love Tackling the TAKS and Step up to the TAKS. Step up has a diagnostic test at the beginning to address weak areas, and instructions and practice by objective with a final test. Tackling the TAKS has no diagnostic test, but has 'building your stamina' based on lessons that have already been presented.

They are both excellent books, I use them almost exclusively in my TAKS prep class.

S.

If you can zero in on the area he is having trouble with I know of two home school math curriculums that include instruction. Not that you have to home school, just the resources are wonderful. We have friends who use Teaching Textbooks and and we use Math-U-See, both are inexpensive. With Math-U-See both of our kids really understand math very well because of the video instructor. Home you find a solution.

I offer online math tutoring. Take a look at my website, http://infinityonlinemath.com

You can let him try a tutoring session with me for half and hour for free. I can help him with TAKS and any background skills he is missing.

Give me a call: 1-888-856-4001

I am a certified Texas Math teacher for grades 6-12, also I have 1 year of experience tutoring online with tutor.com.

All sessions are interactive and in real time. If your son has a microphone we can hear each other as well. Additionally, he can use a web cam and we can see each other as if we are in the room.

My goal is to teach students how to become independent with math and NOT need a tutor.

Good luck in your search, and call me or email me if you need any additional information.

J. Ozuna

I have a friend who had good luck with Huntington Learning Centers. There is a good coupon here: http://burbmom.net/huntington-learning-center-special-offer/

Get a tutor. Most all kids we know have them. My daughter is in 8th grade honors and going to 9th grade honors. She and 98% of her friends (also in honors) have private tutors to stay on top of things. The guidance counselor should be able to help you with teachers who tutor. Many teachers tutor on the side. Expect to pay about $50 and hour.

There is a website and I forget the exact name but you can print the previous (07) TAKS test and he can practice. There are guide books available as well.

Most schools offer onsite tutoring before or after school as well for FREE. Take advantage of that as well.

Good luck

We got computer math games for his age and required 30 minutes a day and you can keep track of his scores and see where he is having problems. I type the entire question in my search to see how to work a problem and some real good sites come up and then we go over how to do it and make up questions on our own to practice. Any more then 30 minutes a day is to much and they zone anyway. If you are wanting to find the original price of an item when you know the percent off and the amount paid I type it just like that not just percents and sites will pop up and give formulas and examples real easy I have been out of school since 80 and really struggle sometimes with the advanced algeba he went from a struggle to A's again. He had missed something in school and it affected him from there on out. Good Luck

Have you thought about Kumon or Sylvan?
KUMON Pros: not terribly expensive, no testing fees, and homework that is done daily (vs. only work done in "class"...helps keep skill level up) They'll start your son a little below his natural abilities to give him confidence then move him up the ladder.
(possible) KUMON Cons: Check to see if Kumon is the right fit...my 3rd grader is working through the basics right now (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) to increase his speed. I don't remember what is covered in 7th grade, but if your sons basic skills are lacking this will definitely impact his ability to do higher level math (algebra, geometry, etc.) The only other possible con I see is that you sign up for 6 months when you start, so you'd be continuing on into Fall. Since this program is designed to help with skills, not homework, you'll want to check to see if this will be a good fit.

As far as Sylvan is concerned, their program is very sound, they hire qualified teachers, and they know what they are doing. The program is more expensive overall (testing is at a fee and the weekly classes are more expensive) but it might be a better fit for your son's needs, as they DO help with homework during the school year, if you like, and they don't have a set period of time you must stay in the program.

Good luck! I know this is frustrating, but you are getting a head start on this!

Check out "Mindworks" in Garland. They have a coupon for a free session at www.Metroplex4Women.com

R., Have you looked into a tutor-type place? When I was younger, I had problems with reading. My mom took me to Sylvan learning center for a summer, and it did wonders! I know they also do math. There may be other places that are similar.

get an the eighth grade math book, hire an honors high school student for a tutor, and enroll your child into the summer school math program. good luck.

You might could find a toutor. Sometimes one persons method to explain a math problem is different than another, and it will just click. I had one teacher that I didn't understand anything all year, and another one that I could get it. If he has a teacher this summer it doesn't have to be where it takes up all his summer, I agree he needs to have his summer. And what is the matter with a C? If he is trying, and not just goofing off, I see no problem with a C, and neither does my sister -in-law that was teacher of the year, one year. She thinks some really smart kids don't necessarly make straight A's, and some kids that make all A's don't know how to come in out of the rain. I also had another teacher one time tell me that math isn't something to be afraid of, and they were going to try and teach their students that. I don't know that this will help since he isn't your childs teacher, but you get the idea.I hope you can find a toutor that is fun loving, and not a hard nose, that can ease up the pressure on keeping up with math this summer. Sometimes a good high school math student can toutor a younger one. In our small town that was did, and it worked out real well, they just came to your home for an hour, and worked on what type problem your child was having a problem with. I hope some of this helps. I prayed for you.

A math tutor is your anwser. Keep in mind that you might have to try a few to find one that will fit with your child, that he can understand. Make sure your son understands this also. He does not need to give up if he dosen't the first one. We have one son that can do any kind of math there is. Our 20 year old has had tutors for YEARS... and still struggles. He is in College and we still pay for a private tutor and he also uses the free tutoring at school. Some people just get math and some don't. Good luck to him, don't give up...

Practice Practice Practice!
Workbooks are great, however, if they are not TAKS formatted, so he can get those skills down.
I am a third grade teacher. I tell my kids that the math test is a reading test, just adding numbers. And boy is it! The questions are mostly word problems, two to three step problems. Students need to know the skills and when to apply them. It is really difficult.

There is a book i got from a seminare through my school district I took a few months ago. It is called Math to Know. It is a series- beginning with 3-4th grade, up to 8th grade. I think it is a great resource and teaches concepts. There is a workbook that you can purchase, but I haven't seen it.

There are also some great online websites that your son can use to practice skills. Tips4TAKS.com is another resource with TAKS-like questions.

I would also talk with your sons math teacher, or his "potential" teacher next year (if you know) and see if they offer tutoring over the summer, or know of a place you can check out.

Good luck!
I have been in your son's shoes myself. I was aweful at math! I survived and absolutely LOVE teaching it!!

Hi. I see some other moms have already recommended Kumon. From personal experience (much like yours) I can highly recommend them. My daughter, so smart, so sweet struggled w/math. We tried to help her (my husband has even taught math) and she tried so hard yet she had minimal improvement. I knew we had to help her. We researched, met with and enrolled her w/Kumon. Their approach was to discover where the breakdown in understanding is happening and begin there. The difference is tremendous....my daughters grades improved so quickly and she became more comfortable w/ math became and continues to be an 'A' student in math (now 2.5 yrs later). She also got a commended score on her math TAKS. Your son sounds like a wonderful kid...hang in there with him he's so worth it!

Check with the summer classes that are being taught every summer at Tarrant County College.I don't believe the classes are very long and he will still be able to have a summer. Please don't expect him not to pass because if you do you have already defeated the purpose of him trying or him passing. You must speak and think to him at all times positive, I quote these words from a very good source of a book that has been written many,many years ago and it's the best instructional book for us all to read,"speak those things that are not as if they are." Regardless of what you may see with the natural eye. That is to say your son is going to pass and make exceptionally good grades. Your in my prayers.

You might also look into a math curriculum called "Math U See". It starts with the basics, and has manipulatives that help him visualize the process. I use some of their online games for my younger children, to get started. They have mulitiple learning levels available, that incude dvd instruction. We have the math manipulatives, and the children love them.

I am a former classroom teacher with excellent student relation skills and a heart for struggling students. I live in Forney and am willing to come to your home. I'd love the opportunity to work with your family. In addition to providing homework support in many subjects, I offer remediation in math, reading, and writing. I also provide organizational and study assistance, including state test preparation and customized summer tutoring.

I have tutored students of various ages in assorted subjects at nationwide tutoring centers intermittently for several years. I was previously certified to teach middle grades (5-9) English and math in Florida where I taught sixth through eighth grade for three and a half years. Before that, I was certified to teach middle grades (4-8) language arts and math in Georgia where I taught eighth grade for two years. Additionally, I taught tutorial reading, math, and state prep classes before and after school. If you are interested, please contact me at ____@____.com so we can schedule sessions for the remainder of the school year and/or the summer.