Struggling..need advice

[Learner]

My DS (9) is struggling with fractions and decimal concepts, and he is ps, do you think I should take up these topics in my hand and what would be your recommendations for books to consider for these topics..
I heard someone saying "Key to series" are great.. Any first hand experiences??

[Caroline]

My ds is using Life of Fred Fractions and he loves it.

[Cadam]

What kind of learner is he? If he is very verbal Life of Fred is good. My kid who has to talk through everything loves Fred. If he needs visual and hands on stuff or just wants something very clear, we really like Math U See. You would want the Epsilon book set and the fraction overlays. MUS has a demo video online that can help explain their process.

And yes, I think you should get something and help him work through the topics. I am a homeschooler after-all. :)

[burleygirl]

Math Mammoth fractions book is good.

[LisaTheresa]

My DS (9) is struggling with fractions and decimal concepts, and he is ps, do you think I should take up these topics in my hand and what would be your recommendations for books to consider for these topics..
I heard someone saying "Key to series" are great.. Any first hand experiences??

I think the "Key to" series would be perfect for this. I like Life of Fred, but there isn't much practice in the Fractions and Decimals book, so if your son is struggling, I'm not sure it would be enough to help him on its own. It would be a fun way to review, though.

Lisa

[BabyBre]

Yes, you should absolutely work with him at home. Do you know what curriculum they use at his school? My dd10's 4th grade class is currently working on fraction-to-decimal conversions in TERC Investigations. I just wondered if your ds is using the same thing.

[Paintedlady]

Definitely Key To series if he's struggling. It's very visual and gentle and it will shore up what he's learning at school. I agree that Life of Fred is a lot of fun, but not for a struggling student. I think it would be more appropriate for review. Math Mammoth is also good, but the Key To series still gets my vote as the best for remedial purposes.

[Learner]

Thanks Moms!!! :001_smile:
You all have encouraged me and given wondeful thoughts.
PS is using Everyday math , which sounds confusing for him. I was under the impression, that he will get his concepts clear at school, and by providing worksheets to him for practice would work, but either he is sleeping in class:glare:, or doesnt has a good math teacher..
He is good learner otherwise, but I dont know how he got left behind in this topic
I will look through all aforesaid resources and see what fits best.

[BabyBre]

PS is using Everyday math , which sounds confusing for him. I was under the impression, that he will get his concepts clear at school, and by providing worksheets to him for practice would work, but either he is sleeping in class:glare:, or doesnt has a good math teacher..
He is good learner otherwise, but I dont know how he got left behind in this topic.


It's likely neither that he's sleeping nor that he doesn't have a good teacher. The curriculum leaves kids behind, and your teacher may not be very free to supplement. That's the situation in our district and many others.

Your practice for him at home is excellent, but it's likely not practice in the way EM teaches math. Unless you're familiar with the program, there's no way you'll teach him the same way at home. (If you ask me, that's a good thing.) EM as well as Investigations teach strange methods but never to mastery through consistant practice, and they never make the transition to the efficient traditional methods we and the rest of the world learned. I'm all for understanding concepts, but at some point you have to learn how to do the computation. It's good he's getting that from you.

[katemary63]

We do every "Key to" book, every kid, struggling or not. You're child will not have problems with fractions, decimals or percents once they've finished.

[Learner]

:iagree:EM teaches STRANGE methods of doing things, and then kids insists that if they are doing one way in class, they need to folow it.. I think thats where they are left behind, Curriculams in PS are not well thought.. why?? even when we are in best school district and paying a lot for just sending our kids in these PS.. it really is annoying...

[Learner]

Hello again,
I looked for Key to series on amazon and christian book store, and they seem to be different books.
On Amazon its something with greek people on cover page, while on Christian book store, its in orange cover..
Which one should I be looking for?? or are they same?

[Learner]

Anyone.. please advice, which "Key to series books" should I be buying.. there seems to be multiple versions on net..:confused:
Graet if you can post a link...

[Cadam]

Anyone.. please advice, which "Key to series books" should I be buying.. there seems to be multiple versions on net..:confused:
Graet if you can post a link...

Rainbow (http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1297104034-973369&subject=10&category=2225) should have the current ones.