Not very comfortable with numbers

[babygemma]

My ds6 is bright and a quick learner in many ways but I think he's kind of slow with numbers. We're using Singapore Math but I feel he needs to pick up the pace on subtraction up to 20. He knows it and definitely can get the right answer but slow. I asked him to count backwards today because we're doing 70-4 and it's so slow getting him to start counting down and then he skipped 1 number and had to start over. I don't know if he's just not gifted in this area or he's overly tired. Arrgh, it's so frustrating for me because I know he's bright.

Is there a better program for this type of learner? MUS, do you think that would be better since I read that it helps children "see" math?

Does anyone have similar problem? What do you about getting quicker on math facts? Just drill them? I printed out worksheets from math cafe. I would love your feedback.

thanks.
babygemma

[Suzanne in ABQ]

He's still little. The most important thing at this stage is that he understand the concepts thoroughly. The speed will come in time. What level of SM are you doing? You mention subtraction to 20, but then use 70-4 as an example. 70-4 is actually complicated because he has to see the 60s in his head, and remember them in reverse order.

I know it's hard to know how much to expect, especially if it's our oldest child, but I wouldn't be too frustrated with him. If he's a perfectionist and he's afraid of making a mistake, he's going to be even slower. It's totally okay to draw a number line for him, or to use manipulatives of some sort (base-10 blocks, or counters, or tally marks on paper). Again, don't worry about speed. Even if he's bright or even gifted, he's still only six. He's little. :001_smile:

[Chris in VA]

I agree with Suzanne. Did you know that Saxon doesn't require mastery of math facts until the end of 3rd grade? That's approximately 3 years from now for your ds. Half his current lifetime.

Hang in there. Keep practicing, but don't pressure. He'll get it!

[Closeacademy]

Some ideas that I use to supplement Singapore for math facts:

1. Toss a small ball or bean bag back and forth and practice the facts in order like 20 minus 1 is 19, 20 minus 2 is 18, 20 minus 3 is 17, etc. Do it in sort of a chant where you say the problem and he says the answer. Just do like 2 sets per day and don't stress if he is slow at first--it will get better.

You can also do this while jumping rope, skipping, walking backawards, etc.

2. You could do flash cards if he likes them.

3. We made addition ladders for numbers up to 15/20. Basically, I draw the sides of the ladder, then I get out a number of small objects (just did the number six with my youngest yesterday), we draw the objects (usually stones) on the top of the page next to the number, then we find out how many groups we can make with the stones.

So for six we ended up with a groups of 0 and 6, 1 and 5, 2 and 4, 3 and 3. (This is as far as I took it, you can do muliplication and such too.) We used these numbers to make the rungs of the ladder. One number is on one side, the rung is drawn with a plus and the other number is on the other side and the answer is at the top. Since subtraction is the reverse of addition this can help with that.

With subtraction, one of my biggest clues I give when they are stuck is for example 70 -3: I would say something like well, what is 10 minus 3? Or What goes with 3 to make 10? Then they start to get it.

Good luck and hang in there.:001_smile:

[claussenpc]

I have taught Singapore through level 5 so far. We have always had to do supplemental work with Math facts. I would not allow this to cause you to switch programs.