Failing miserably in math!!!

[tiffanieh]

Hi ladies...I'm hoping I can come to you all with some advise over math. My kindergardener is really struggling in math. He still cannot count to 100 consistently. Somedays he'll get only as far as 30 next day he'll count up to 70, the next day 49, and so on and so forth. He can do problems fairly well and has learned many math facts. However counting backwards is like pulling teeth and even looking at a 100 number chart he doesn't understand what comes before 21,31,41,51, etc..

I've tried every which way but lose with him. We;ve done every outside of the box thing imagineable...I'm pretty creative, yet all my attempts still seem to lose him.

He's a VERY bright kid too, so I'm quite confused by this. I would have guessed that he would be my star achiever based on everything else I see him do.

We are currently doing saxon math and now I'm thinking that this year has been a complete waste of time. Perhaps I should go with something more like Math U See or something. I hate the fact that we'll more than likely be repeating math all over again and he'll be behind next year.

Should I scrap the year now and get something different curriculum wise or just try to keep salvaging the wreck with the Saxon math we have??

Thank you so much for any thoughtful answers. I am in constant prayer over this, knowing that ultimately God is in control of my childrens education and will fill in the gaps where I fall short. I just want to do the right thing for my son.

This is only my first year homeschooling so I was hoping anyone else that has walked in my shoes before with a similar situation may be able to help me!

Thank you so much!
Tiffanie

[Tansy]

counting to 30 is great for a Kindergarten age.

Remember he is not behind just cause he can't go at the pace some blanket standard has set for him. The wonderful thing of homeschooling is that you can go at HIS pace. I would have been thrilled if my eldest could count to 30 at age 5. You may have a child who needs to hear it 100 times before they remember it. But what is more important at age 5 loving to learn, or the opposite? And think if he is a "needs it 100 times kid" look at all the work you have put in already!! your almost there. Don't ever think you are failing or its a waste and it needs scrapping. Maybe another program would work better maybe not. You have plenty of time try them out see if they will.

I would not stress... now.... well to tell the truth I did stress ... even tho people told me not to I did anyway. Here is the voice of experience it says "relax." You see I pushed and pushed My dd to "catch up", which set up a big mess and now My daughter basically flips out if we do math together. Don't set yourself up to fail later like I did. Just relax and keep going over it he will get it in time. Take a nice sigh of relief and chill... it will be ok when he's 26 he will be able to count to 100.

I would play hide and go seek and you count up to 100 in a fun setting and let him count as high as he is able to do without mistakes.

I think some times we get in competition mode.. lets face it; my sisters homeschooled kids are "star performers" who win "bee's" and know all the presidents/capitols and can do 3 digit math in their heads at age 7. While mine is "NOT!" Yes most homeschooled kiddos are far an above the average P.S. kid. But My goal is to raise a happy child who loves the Lord and if they can spell hippopotamus to boot, well praise the Lord. But if they can't well that is ok too.

Trying to be more relaxed as well...
Tansy

[my3sons]

Tiffinie - I think Tansy is on to something there - it may just take more time for it to click with him. However, if you have given Saxon a fair run, maybe it is time for a change. Are you doing Little Hearts for His Glory? If so, I'd encourage you to give Singapore a try. The Math Exploration box has great activities to do with Singapore.

In Christ,
Julie

[moedertje]

I would also like to encourage you as you are new to homeschooling, that the object is not for our children to go through a program and finish when the publisher thinks they should or in some cases a friends child who is the same age.
The object is that they understand the concepts and that it sets the stage for their understanding math concepts for later years.
You might find that the Math Explorations in LHFHG, that Julie recommended give your little one a fresh new look on things and that he will start fresh without frustration on both your parts and do just great with Singapore. Have fun with it and allow your son to rebuild confidence in his math skills.
Also, remember to ask what the Lord wants you to learn out of this situation as you put Your trust in Him and rely on Him to guide you through this homeschooling endeavor He has lead you to.
Blessings to you and I pray the peace of God will rest in your heart about your sons math abilities.

[Mom2Monkeys]

I don't have any better advice to offer than has already been offered...but, I second giving Singapore a try!

[Lynnw]

I have a K-er whose math skills sound very similar to your ds, or maybe a little behind. She has counted to 100 with help, but I doubt she can duplicate it on her own right now. She is pretty good at getting to 30. She has not mastered how to write all the numbers to 20. (She is still confused about place value and of course the teen numbers are a little confusing). I started her in MUS primer (before I found HOD). After awhile we hit a little road block so I bought only the first book of Horizon's K math. She goes back and forth between the two books, switching to the other one whenever one seems "too hard." My older two have been in MUS the whole time, but I'm not sure if she is the type to "see it" by using the blocks, or if she (more likely) needs lots of repetition before she gets it. I have not used the math in HOD because I started Beyond half way through the school year and we were already using MUS, but I'm thinking seriously of getting LIttle Hearts to use with her (Beyond is for her 1st grade brother and she's been "tagging along") and getting the corresponding Singapore and doing the math exploration appropriate for her level.

Anyway, my situation may not be helpful to you at all, but let me encourage you that if you were doing MUS primer, counting to 100 would be done a little differently. I just scanned the book and ~lesson 20 you start skip counting by 10s to 100. So even then you're not really counting to 100 by ones. I just thought that might give you some comfort .

[Daisy]

My husband teaches first grade public school. Counting to 100 isn't even a math standard until Christmas time. I tell you this not because you should work towards that end but rather so you won't worry. Not one child in my hubby's class can count to 100 when they enter his classroom. No worries. Just keep practicing at his speed (not to frustration) and it will click when he is ready.

[netpea]

My daughter couldn't count to 100 in kindergarten. She is in first grade now and doing well in math. just be patient, have fun with your schooling. It will come.

[gracelikerain]

Oh, please do NOT worry! Your ds sounds just fine for 5! All dc are different. I too, stressed way too much with my oldest who is now 11 in 5th grade & doing 4th grade math. I learned it is also about maturity. My dd didn't "get" math until about 2nd grade. I didn't realize I was pushing her too hard at a young age & really frazzled her & myself. She still hates math & I wish I didn't push her so hard. Then I received some wise advice from a dear homeschooling friend. RELAX! Age 5 is whose standard for what????? Just b/c PS picks age 5 for formal schooling....does that mean all kids are ready for formal schooling? I really don't think so. that is another reason why we homeschool, to do what's best for our dc. Some dc are very bright (my dd was able to read very well) but still not mature in other areas. Now she is older & math is still not her thing but she is much more able to handle it & get it...even though it takes her longer than her cousin who is a year younger but is a whiz at math. Also, Saxon math is advanced in my opinion. You may want to try books like Family Math...it is a bunch of great learning fun math games that help build a firm foundation without pushing dc.

Hope you feel a little better knowing you are doing fine.....sometimes less is more!

[spidermansmum]

I think my just 6 year old can count to a hundred with some help.I was reassured when I found some online tests for Grade one-I cant remember which state -Im not in the States-but the requirement was to count to 50.
I think we also expect all growing [including learning] to follow a steady upward curve,each week plotting upward along the curve.When what tends to happen with all growing is a long phase without much growth than suddenly they have grown [or learnt that concept]
Secondly my older kids went through PS and one of those sat her Math exams early-because she excelled at Math and she couldnt work past 20 until 6 years old.

[tiffanieh]

Thank you all for your sweet posts of encouragement. Thank you for sharing your personal stories and testimonies.

It's funny how when I get a freak out moment, I immediately come rushing over here to you ladies (which says a lot about how I feel about you all) for sage wisdom and advise...yet, I don't allow myself a moment of quietness to allow the situation to sink in, get out of freak out mode and be still...waiting on God's presence.

I am actually teaching a study out of my house by Teri Maxwell, "homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit", and I really should be slapped on the hand, and face, for even allowing worry and fear to control me in that moment. I do know that it will all work out, and just as in the past, something he doesn't get today, he'll pick up tomorrow. Happened in reading just like that...we put reading down for 2 months and now he's reading just fine.

Thank you ladies so much for this clarity and speaking truth to me. You all ROCK!