Need Math Advice for a 5th Grader with not so great attitude

[faith0428]

My daughter who is 10 and starting 5th grade is struggling with math. It's not that she isn't doing well. She is quite smart and understands when she puts her mind to it, she mostly just has a bad attitude about it. We have been using Singapore since 1st grade. The problem mostly started when textbooks were introduced and she had to do work in the workbook as well as on paper. She can't stand doing the textbook part. She really wants to try another math program and I was considering BJU. I know eventually textbook and doing math on a sheet of paper is all she'll be doing, so I am not sure what to do. The fact that she is actually excited about math when there is the possibility of switching makes me lean more towards doing that and I have to admit BJU is more visually appealing. Any advice would be appreciated.

[FiveLittlePeaches]

My sympathies. I have one of those types as well.

We use CLE (Christian Light Education -- I think it's clp.org). Comes in 10 workbooks. The lessons are taught to the child so it doesn't require a lot of teaching time from Mom. Life-saver for our family.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[faith0428]

Thank you. I'll look into it.

[pjdobro]

We've been using Singapore along the way too and I have a dd who isn't always thrilled with the textbook/workbook approach. We continue to press on though because she still does well with it and seems to be retaining it really well. I'm not very familiar with some of the other math programs though I know several people who use Math-U-See and like it. It is a different approach incorporating dvds from what I understand. So that might be worth checking into. Something we have done this summer just for fun is Life of Fred. My dc started with Life of Fred fractions and it's been a great review of some of the concepts that we've learned in Singapore. They've really enjoyed the story based style of Life of Fred. I think we will continue to incorporate it along with Singapore. It has a fun story component that my dd really loves. I don't know about using it by itself though I know that some people do.

One thing to consider should you stay with Singapore is possibly just going over the things in the textbook and only writing a few examples on the white board. We usually don't write the textbook portion out on paper. We work the examples on the white board instead. If you find that she has the concept well, then there isn't a need to do all of the textbook examples. I do usually have them write out the reviews or practices that are in the textbook on paper, but there is quite a bit of review and practices in the workbook also so it's possible that you could do only the workbook and not the textbook if you are sure she really has the concept down. Many people say that Singapore is on the low side of review anyway though so you would have to weigh that heavily before deciding forgo the reviews in the textbook. Another possibility there too is to do those on the whiteboard. My dc always seem to like it better doing it there as opposed to having to write it down. Anyway there are a few ideas for you if you decide to stay with Singapore.

[agstefko]

My ds isn't a big fan of writing so we went with Teaching Textbook which is all on the computer, but you can purchase the textbook also. He loves doing math now and sometimes will request to do more than 1 lesson.

[my3sons]

We follow HOD's recommendation to do a good portion of the textbook part on markerboard, and we even take it one step further and just write right in the Singapore textbook when necessary. This makes that portion fly by, and the workbook part then is the only part ds is doing with paper/pencil. Singapore is about the most time friendly math I know of - not so many problems, not so much time. I would think BJU will be a big increase in time and in written work, but sometimes a change is good. However, I'd be careful about switching due to a bad attitude. In our house, this has worked to reward the bad attitude, and we have found that bad attitude then comes around again more frequently - we have, of course, learned this the hard way, and unfortunately I still forget this from time to time and have to be reminded by the results. However, you will know if this is the case or not for dd. Hope something here helps!

In Christ,
Julie

[blessedmomof4]

Wholly agreeing about not changing due to bad attitude. I have homeschooled on and off for about 16 years, and bad attitudes do come around again when rewarded. Now, making changes because you gave something an honest try (at least a year) and it really isn't working, that's another story. I love Julie's suggestion about how to do the textbook-I wish I had known that when I tried Singapore in the past I am now using different math with my girls, but I may try Singapore with my newest one on the way when she is old enough

[faith0428]

To be honest, her bad attitude comes from being overwhelmed and frustrated. Somehow I never noticed the recommendations in the teacher's guide for how to do the workbook/textbook, so I was making her do everything. I can see how it would have gone much better if I hadn't overlooked that. Now I'm trying to decide if we should stick with it or try something else.

[Tansy]

We also have been doing the work book problems on the board.
I do one then, then they help me do the next and the next then I do one again.
I know with my Math Challenged Easily Overwhelmed Child, If I model how to do a problem then she does one, then I model it again and she does another. It totally calms her down and suddenly she feels like she can do it. Her Nuro-therapist recommended this and I fought it at first, until I saw it was working.
Once she saw I was on her side and ready willing and able to help her get that brain organized, she's doing much better.

If she like my child she may need to see it modeled 400 times before she gets it. but after that she's golden.