Need Math Mastery Suggestions Please!!

[saved1112]

My 7th grd ds is struggling with some multiplication and division. I want to stop where we are at with Teaching Textbooks 7, go back, and work with him on multiplication and division mastery.

So... now I need some recommendations for materials to use.

Have any good suggestions? :confused: or something I should avoid??

Thanks for your help!

[Julie in GA]

Is she struggling because she doesn't know her math facts, or is it in the process of doing multiple-digit problems? Also, is it worse with word problems?

[Pongo]

about math for my dd. She is in 4th (age wise) but we are doing a quick review of Lials BCM for a re-fresher to go into Singapore NEM (I am almost done doing the book myself, Thanks Myrtle I actually like math!)

After doing some researching it seems to me that in 7th grade mainly focuses are:
Properties, Order of Operations
Exponents, squares, roots
Fractions
Decimals
Percents
Proportions
Expressions and Equations - Simplifying and Solving
Expressions and Equations - Writing
Graphing
Shapes, Objects, Angles, Similarity, Congruence
Area, Volume, Perimeter, Distance

In preparation for pre-algebra (what this really is) /Alg. 1
With that said, in 4th is when the beginning of mastery is needed for Multiplication & Division and then in 5th and 6th you have larger numbers with teaching of the inverse relationship between Multiplication and Division.

It may be more helpful to use a text as review of those chapters only, even using BCM may help.

[saved1112]

Is she struggling because she doesn't know her math facts, or is it in the process of doing multiple-digit problems? Also, is it worse with word problems?

To answer your questions:

He has some issues with memorizing some of the higher multiplication facts, especially 12s. He struggles with doing multiple digit problems, mostly with division. Like with 3,685 divided by 12 he will ignore the 1 in the 12, and add it back after he brings down a number in the division problem. He's done these problems before, sometimes fine, sometimes not. Word problems are not any different, nor any more difficult.

[Kathie in VA]

For memorizing math facts my kids are learning to skip count the facts 1 - 15 plus the squares and the cubes with Classical Conversations -Foundations prgm. The audio cd they sell has all these facts set to music so it's easy. Then we work on fast recall. The computer game: TimezAttack is great for this, then again so is Calculadders and QuarterMile math (well I only have the sample of this one). If you have the time the RightStart Math Games are very good at teaching and working the math skills by playing games. (.. my only problem with this one is that I haven't taken the time to learn the games and my kids don't want to read the instructions to find out!)

Mastery Math Programs:
Mastering Mathmatics sells 6 workbooks and one Teachers guide to cover all of arithmatic for grades 1-7. The books are: Attacking Addition, Subduing Subtraction, Mastering Multiplication, Defeating Division, Perfecting the Point, and Finnishing Fractions.

Lial's Basic College Math (BCM) is a college textbook for those that didn't get arithmatic down before college. It seems to begin around 5th grade or so and takes you thru Pre-Algebra. Look for it used, it's pretty cheap. The answers to the odd questions are in the back so you really don't need a TE. (at least I haven't yet)

These are the only ones that I am using. I think the Keys to ... series might also be an option.

hth

[saved1112]

For memorizing math facts my kids are learning to skip count the facts 1 - 15 plus the squares and the cubes with Classical Conversations -Foundations prgm. The audio cd they sell has all these facts set to music so it's easy. Then we work on fast recall. The computer game: TimezAttack is great for this, then again so is Calculadders and QuarterMile math (well I only have the sample of this one). If you have the time the RightStart Math Games are very good at teaching and working the math skills by playing games. (.. my only problem with this one is that I haven't taken the time to learn the games and my kids don't want to read the instructions to find out!)

Mastery Math Programs:
Mastering Mathmatics sells 6 workbooks and one Teachers guide to cover all of arithmatic for grades 1-7. The books are: Attacking Addition, Subduing Subtraction, Mastering Multiplication, Defeating Division, Perfecting the Point, and Finnishing Fractions.

Lial's Basic College Math (BCM) is a college textbook for those that didn't get arithmatic down before college. It seems to begin around 5th grade or so and takes you thru Pre-Algebra. Look for it used, it's pretty cheap. The answers to the odd questions are in the back so you really don't need a TE. (at least I haven't yet)

These are the only ones that I am using. I think the Keys to ... series might also be an option.

hth


Thank you for the suggestions and information! I'll be checking out these math materials!

[moosemomma]

I use the Math Worksheet Site (Here is the link http://themathworksheetsite.com/)

I love the site! I pay for it yearly ($25), but you can pay for it for 1 month, 3 months, or 6 months for less. It has randomly generated worksheets that target JUST the facts tables you want to focus on, 5 minute timed drills, flashcards for the facts he is shaky in, fact family worksheets, even worksheets iwith both multiplication and division on the same page.

What I REALLY like about the website is that I can target just what I need. For example, you could generate a packet of just 12 facts worksheets, then create weekly timed drills to see his progress with all his facts. If you see another fact table he struggles with (like the 8s) then the following week you can generate worksheets that target just the 8s and the 12s.

It even has a place to put a memo line. I some times put the date I want him to complete that page by or a reminder to check his work before giving it to me.


Jill

[ACinGA]

My son was having this same problem this year and it was interfering with his ability to move on in his math program. I used the Multiplication 1 worksheets from the blue series from Math Mammoth. It has a method for learning the facts through oral drilling that includes skip counting forwards than backwards, then adding the sentences, then giving the child a number and asking them to tell you the factors. It took some effort, but my son has his facts down cold now. And, it is cheap - $4.50 for 100 pages or something like that. There are samples on the website MathMammoth.com. We also used TimezAttack for extra practice, which he loved.

-Amber

[Julie in GA]

I emailed you. :)

[saved1112]

Thank you all for the suggestions!