Ok my 8yo is a kinesthetic learner and has been diagnosed ADD. He gets board easily (especially with math) and will literally take ALL day to do one simple worksheet. We have been using Math U See and recently switched him to Head of the Class, thought a change might help, but he is still taking all day. He understands the work (even the new work) just takes all day to do the work. The rest of his work he can fly through with no problems for the most part. Any ideas to help us get through math?
2010-11-08T09:19:43Z
He loves being on the computer. What games? Sites? I know of cool math and he does play on it some but not often and I don't know if there is a way to track what he is doing on it.
anon2010-11-08T21:40:23Z
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I really like Alzo's approach. I agree that it's important for kids to take the responsibility for getting their work done. If you see the value in some written math practice, (I do) I would limit the time he spends on a worksheet to like 10 or 15 minutes, but he has to be actually working on it. If he does that, then move on to a computer game or other more preferred way of practicing & learning math concepts. The other thing is that written out math doesn't have to be drill and practice based. Here is a site with dice games, probability, addition, patterns, multiples, geometry, etc, where the child would be rolling dice, building geometric shapes or other hands on lessons, but recording their problems/solutions:
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/LPview.cgi?grade=3
Scroll down to the math section. It's aimed at teachers but there is no reason your son couldn't enjoy and learn a lot from the lessons. Just change them up for home. That's what I've done.
Here are some online games and games to make/play:
Only have him do a worksheet once a week. Just let him to the math with the blocks. Remember, the important thing is that he learns the math, not that he does the worksheets. You could have him do some Switched-on-Schoolhouse math on the computer. That will automatically track and grade his work. Otherwise, just ask him what he did on the computer, and write what he tells you. You don't have to have grades or records of every last detail. My Father's World is a curriculum that does away with unnecessary worksheets. The writer knows that children hate doing worksheets. Worksheets were developed so teachers in public schools could use them to see if the children knew how to do the lessons. When you homeschool, you can evaluate that in different ways.
I agree with UnschoolingMom. If worksheets are just holding him back, why do them? There are plenty of other ways for him to practice math. Worksheets are not a must.
Computer math games are probably your best bet. You can check him work to make sure he's doing well and he can have fun at the same time.
Other ways are to have him use math in real life situations. Helping you do the grocery shopping on a budget, cooking, using time and schedules to get things done. Take your real life and show him how math applies to it everyday.
Worksheets seem to be a waste of time and effort for you both. Throw them out! Have fun and learn at the same time. :)
Why are you making him write things down and do worksheets if it is clearly not working? If you already know he has the knowledge than move forward with something else. have you tried some computer math games. Something fun and hands on. My Daughter refuses to do the worksheets, but I just allow her to do the computer math games. She is also 8 years old.
Though I have no idea what grade he is in, I studyed the Math It series and that cover addition though multiplication. They are flash cards and you can do them in under 20 minutes. Actually, the system puts the child on a time limit (20 cards in a minute) You can also give him treats for completing the challenge in time. (Candy? Ice Cream? A dollar bill?)