something like "Key To..." for long division?

[TMarie]

My dd is having a tough time understanding long division. I've used multiple programs and all of my own abilities to try to demystify it. But, to no real lasting success.
I have used the "Key To" series for my older child and would love to find something similar for long division.
Any ideas?

[Pongo]

How about Mastering Mathematics (http://www.masterypublications.com/Math.htm) "Defeating Division" by Letz Farmer
You can purchase the individual workbooks here. (http://www.lamppostpublishing.com/mathmastering.htm)

[HollyDay]

Have you looked at the MUS dvd? I think it is the Delta level - double check that please. I have used it to help explain long division. You wouldnt necessarily need the workbooks if you already have them from another company.

[Myrtle]

My dd is having a tough time understanding long division. I've used multiple programs and all of my own abilities to try to demystify it. But, to no real lasting success.
I have used the "Key To" series for my older child and would love to find something similar for long division.
Any ideas?

Our program has a "pre" long division steps that might aid in the understanding of long division. This was the hardest thing for my kids to get in the entire arithmetic program, and my older son has never encountered anything as difficult as long division and he's in algebra now. So this is tough but after this it's all down hill. :-)

Before introducing long division it teaches the divison of multiples of ten. So an exercise might consist of a collection of problems that look something like this.

6 ÷ 2
60 ÷ 2
600 ÷ 2

9 ÷ 3
90 ÷ 3
900 ÷ 3

That exercise actually is preceded, I think, by working those problems using manipulatives such as base ten blocks.

Then problems like these,

56 ÷ 8
560 ÷ 8
5600 ÷ 8

49 ÷ 7
490 ÷ 7
4900 ÷ 7

Next step, the get mixed up:

2500 ÷ 5
25 ÷ 5
250 ÷ 5



Next step, redo the above problems using the long division bar so that it won't be something new later.

Now, you will give her problems such as 31 ÷ 5 written in long division, that will result in a single digit answer with a remainder. Have her subtract to show the remainder.

After you've done some of those you are ready (hopefully, but I'm seeing some learning steps that are being left out) for long division with place holders.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee27/Carrie3d/Longdivision-1.jpg

I had to narrate like a sports commentator what to do and when to do it for many problems until the kid got it. He just wrote the steps out like a secretary. Be patient, this step alone may take days and it was useful for my son to have substeps written out as a reminder in abreviated form 1) divide 2)write the digit on top 3)multiply 4) subtract

Now when she can do that with the zeros, show her how she can leave the zeros off as a short cut.

[Heather in NC]

Have you looked at the MUS dvd? I think it is the Delta level - double check that please. I have used it to help explain long division. You wouldnt necessarily need the workbooks if you already have them from another company.

:iagree:

[Kimber]

Here is what I did to teach long division to my son--

Since he already knew 200 / 2, I tried to show him why it worked.

We did problems like 222/2

Then I broke it out into 200/2 , 20/2, 2/2

Then I tried a harder problem such as 340/2. I tried to make sure it used number where he could figure the problem out in his head so the process would make sense.

For 340/2, I broke it down into 300/2 then 40/2. The we added the results together. Then I did the same problem, the long division way, and showed him the place values and what they mean.

This may sound convoluted, but my son got it after about an hour of this. I just kept breaking it down by place value and then putting it back together and doing it the long division route. At first he looked dazed and confused--I think I did too. But the next day, he was doing it all by himself and hasn't had a problem since. Before we did this, he could do any of the division problems that were set up to teach long division. I think my son needed to see the BIG picture--the most complicated of problems before it made sense to him.

[TMarie]

How about Mastering Mathematics (http://www.masterypublications.com/Math.htm) "Defeating Division" by Letz Farmer
You can purchase the individual workbooks here. (http://www.lamppostpublishing.com/mathmastering.htm)

Pongo,
Thanks!!! That is exactly what I've been looking for. Do you have a review to add?
Thanks to the rest of you also. Yes, we have already worked through MUS Delta.
As for me explaining more, at this point she has heard enough from me! ;)

[Pongo]

I have only used Attacking Addition (covers grades 1-3+) & Subduing Subtraction (1- 7) for my son. We were able to move swiftly through the program and I can already see I will be using it for my little dd also. My oldest does math as if she already knows what I will ask but my son had such trouble. So , I used this as a supplement alongside BJU and some MUS at the time. I would stop when we would get to addition "over his head" and implement the books until we could move on. I sometimes think he has a greater understanding now, of adding and subtracting. I plan on doing Defeating Division & Perfecting the Point for him too!

I have a wonderful close friend and she is a Special Education teacher as well as a Homeschooling mom, this is the ONLY math supplement she uses for her kids (at home & school), and she highly recommends it:)

Okay, for my humble review
The pros:
~It allows you to test into exactly where they need to be
~It allows you to test out, as soon ans they completely understand the concept
~Excellent explanations
~It includes time and measurement
~My son was able to do it pretty much on his own
~Pages are "clean" no visual distractions
~The board games are fun
~Cost is fair, you can get the whole shebang for less than $20 a grade level (6 levels for $129.95, and they toss in a metric & geometry equivalent game, but you only get this "extra" if you order the FULL program from their website, it's the same cost elsewhere.
The Cons
~Cutting out the board game pieces was a bear, get ready for carpal tunnel
~I would NOT personally use it as a stand alone because of the time it took my son at the beginning had I not used something along side (BJU) I think he would of forgotten everything else:001_huh:
~The website doesn't do this program any justice
~This matters to some, no color in the WB
Hope that helps!!!