Foerster's - how long for the mom each day?

[deltagal]

HI all,

We are solidly ready for Algebra 1 and I'm trying to discern which route. We spend A LOT of time on math each day. It has paid off, but I need to have a clear picture of how much teaching time I will need to spend one to one on each subject area.

What has been your experience? How much time are you spending directly with your student each day if you are using Foerster's?

Thank you.

Florence

[StephanieU]

This is a part of a FB post from Carrie. I am guessing it would hold true for all of the math, middle school and higher:
It means instead that you are there to present for 15 min., guide for another 5-10 min., and check-in closely while they work. Partner with your child to be successful in math, and it will reap untold benefits whether your child is mathy or not!

Fifteen minute "lectures" on math were about the longest I ever did unless there was a lot of vocabulary (non-traditional math classes normally). But, I would spend the rest of the class time guiding them in problems and then letting them work with me there to answer questions. It sounds like Carrie does the same thing with her kids at home.

[deltagal]

StephanieU - That's more or less the "formula" that I would like! I'm curious to see if others have found that forumula to be effective at the higher level.

Thank you!

[StillJulie]

I would consider those times pretty accurate. We've completed through chapter seven in Foerster's. For the first four or five chapters I rarely presented anything b/c it was review. Then I started having her meet with me first (for new material) so that I could explain things and work through a couple examples together. I do always correct her work right after she completes it (and sometimes as she completes it), so that she'll know she's doing it correctly.

[deltagal]

I would consider those times pretty accurate. We've completed through chapter seven in Foerster's. For the first four or five chapters I rarely presented anything b/c it was review. Then I started having her meet with me first (for new material) so that I could explain things and work through a couple examples together. I do always correct her work right after she completes it (and sometimes as she completes it), so that she'll know she's doing it correctly.

Did you use the video lessons at all?

[deltagal]

Another Foerster question -

how easy is it for a non-math mom to oversee?

Thanks.

[StillJulie]

I have not used the videos at all.

My background is high school math teacher, though.

I'm not sure how easy it would be for a non-mathy person, b/c I can't relate to that.

[Nealewill]

My kids aren't that old but my oldest dd is very advanced in math. I started research math and thinking we will go with Foerester's when my dd is in 8th grade. But from my research, I think I am going to plan 45 min per day for math with Foerester's. I don't know that you will need to teach for 45 min but I think you will need to be readily available during that 45 min. I could be wrong so someone else who has used Foerester's please just in and correct me if I am wrong. I have heard high school math is a lot longer during your day than middle school math.

[StillJulie]

I wouldn't consider it unreasonable to allow 45-60 minutes per day for high school math. Some students might not need that long. Others may need longer, though I think I would avoid that by just having them stop after a maximum of 60 minutes, even if they don't get through as much as you might have planned for them.

[my3sons]

Hi deltagal! We didn't use the videos. I am a person that enjoys math, but I think even someone who doesn't would still enjoy Foerster's. The solutions manual is a must. It gives line by line fully worked solutions, and it makes it easier to hop in and help as needed. I'd say it took about 45 minutes an hour each day, and I stayed right by Wyatt 30-45 minutes, depending on the difficulty of the skills that day. As we got further into it, I'd teach for about 30 minutes, and check back every 5-10 minutes to help as needed until he was done. I found the time to be very reasonable, as it is a 4 day a week math schedule already. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie