Math curriculum for LD

[tonygirl]

:confused:Hi all it's me again, concerning dd ( sig below)
I am looking for math programs that you've with LD kids. My dd will be 9 has addition facts up to 20 and basic subtraction.
She has alot of trouble with rounding, borrowing, doing 2 or more digit problems. Time and money, story problems, measurement as well as place values. Still relies heavy on hand and sometimes toe counting. Still needs to master right and left, and counting above 100.
We tried MUS and it bombed! I used Saxon 1 not the whole thing she seem to like not sure if she really got it though. I am thinking of trying saxon 2 and just treating it as a 2yr program or however long it takes. What you all think??

[Kathy in MD]

:confused:Hi all it's me again, concerning dd ( sig below)
I am looking for math programs that you've with LD kids. My dd will be 9 has addition facts up to 20 and basic subtraction.
She has alot of trouble with rounding, borrowing, doing 2 or more digit problems. Time and money, story problems, measurement as well as place values. Still relies heavy on hand and sometimes toe counting. Still needs to master right and left, and counting above 100.
We tried MUS and it bombed! I used Saxon 1 not the whole thing she seem to like not sure if she really got it though. I am thinking of trying saxon 2 and just treating it as a 2yr program or however long it takes. What you all think??

My ds used a manipulative program (Montessori) to learn his basic math concepts. The program was designed to use color and shapes to reinforce the math concepts of place value, borrowing and carrying, addition, subtraction, multiplication division and higher math concepts. Two math programs for homeschoolers are supposedly based on Montessori math, Right Start and Shuler (sp?).

Ds learned the concepts, but had still had two problems with basic math. 1) He couldn't learn his math facts. Math the Fun Way, http://citycreek.com, was the only way he could master his facts. It needed to be followed by about a year of routine paper drill. 2) When he switched to pencil and paper, he was careless. He needed closer teacher supervision to check that his work was consistantly correct. Routine drill on carrying and borrowing and other things helped here.

Story problems were a problem for him (and me) because of language problems. One thing that helped both of us was memorizing what mathmatical symbols the English words translate into. But learning how to tackle them has taken years for my ds to master.

Sorry, I need to leave now.

[LisaTheresa]

Well, I started out with Rightstart with my LD son and it was difficult. I then went on to do Rod and Staff Math, which was a wonderful relief for both of us. It moves slowly and gives lots of practice. It is a traditional rote method. After we finished 2 levels of Rod and Staff, I started supplementing with Rightstart and that has really increased my son's understanding of the concepts. If I continue on this path, I will use Rightstart as a supplement at a level below whatever he is doing in Rod and Staff.

Right now, we are giving another program -- SRA's Connecting Math Concepts www.sraonline.com -- a trial run. It is a direct instruction program and it has lots of research behind it. It is known for being especially good for children with ld's and can be used as an intervention program. It is expensive to buy from SRA, but sometimes you can find it on ebay.

I'm wary about dropping the Rod and Staff/Rightstart combo since it is working, but I would like to be able to use just one math program, so that's why we are trying CMC.

Lisa

[Laurie4b]

Miquon Math sounds a lot like the Montessori program that Kathy described. It is very inexpensive and uses Cuisenaire rods as manipulatives. It is a series of workbooks that look "homemade." That is on purpose to encourage kids to make their own. It is also deceptive because you might look at the homemade look and not see how sophisticated the program is at teaching math concepts.

You want to move from manipulative to an in between step to doing things on her own (either in her head, or with paper and pencil). For instance, for counting and basic addition and subtraction, a number line would be very useful.

[Kathy in MD]

Hi, I'm back,

Counting above 100 should be easier once she masters place value. My logic-impaired ds never struggled with this because of a heavy dose of place value training.

I used time flash cards and a "teaching" analog clock for a short time with my ds when he was around 9 or 10. I also taught him money around the same age with props and simple worksheets. However he had a strong understanding of place value by then.

If your dd's problem with left and right is sensory based, my ds's OT recommended the following excercise. Put ankle and wrist weights on only one side of the body. (Right wrist and ankle OR left wrist and ankle). I'd put the wieghts on the dominant hand. Then go out and play tennis or similar sport where one arm is used more than the other. Eventually the extra weight on one side will sensitize the brain to the right side vs left side problem.

BTW, I'm not a fan of Saxon. I prefer to work on mastering each concept before advancing. My ds however needs lots of review which he gets by doing a short (3-5 min) review drill on his weak spots combined with having math algorithms and terms added to his daily memory work.

[ClassicMom]

I would look into Mastering Mathematics - Rainbow Resources has a good write-up on it. It only covers one topic at a time and has a lot of white-space on each page.

MUS is also a good resource for kids with problems with math skills.

Also take a look a Dianne Craft's website:
I think it's Diannecraft.org?

Do a google search. She has some great flashcards and teaching ideas for kids with learning problems.