Math dilemma

[DawnUK]

My two older children (10&11) have finished Horizons and are working on the Key To series-- fractions, decimals, and percents. When they finish that in a few months I was planning to order the Chalkdust pre-algebra, but I just looked at the table of contents and it doesn't look like they will be really learning anything new. I'm hesitant to order Algebra instead, since they are still young. It seems like at some point, developmentally they wouldn't be able to keep up with the work as they progressed into higher math. Has anyone ever found this to be the case? Any advice would be appreciated. I've thought about just going with the pre-algebra to keep them working or ordering the algebra and taking it slow, but I'd love to hear from someone who has BTDT.

--Dawn

[Sandra in FL]

to Algebra. Dd did Singapore Math 1-6 but (at 11) was not ready for Algebra. This text has solidified the concepts, introduced "American terminology" and is challenging (for Pre-Algebra). Dd is now 12 and a rising 7th grader and hopefully she'll do well in Dolciani's Algebra in the fall.

Check it out - especially for the 10 year old.

HTH,
Sandra

[abbeyej]

I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't just move forward, and slow down *if* they hit a wall. You can always stop and go back a little, or do something supplementary for a time *if* they need it. But I would wait till there's actually a problem, rather than acting as if there is one just because one *might* *someday* appear.

[Stacy in NJ]

[QUOTE=DawnUK;418005]My two older children (10&11) have finished Horizons and are working on the Key To series-- fractions, decimals, and percents. When they finish that in a few months I was planning to order the Chalkdust pre-algebra, but I just looked at the table of contents and it doesn't look like they will be really learning anything new. I'm hesitant to order Algebra instead, since they are still young. It seems like at some point, developmentally they wouldn't be able to keep up with the work as they progressed into higher math. Has anyone ever found this to be the case? Any advice would be appreciated. I've thought about just going with the pre-algebra to keep them working or ordering the algebra and taking it slow, but I'd love to hear from someone who has BTDT.

--Dawn[/QUOTE
I had a similar situation this past year when my 10 yo finished up Singapore. We just did a lot of enrichment math via CWP, Rightstart Geo, and some stuff from Profrock Press http://www.prufrock.com/showproducts.cfm?Step=1&FullCat=101

This year, as a 6th grader, we're going to bite the bullet and do a more formal program again with Lial's Basic College Math. We haven't done much with integers and square roots. We'll fill in any missing concepts we haven't covered via Singapore, then move on to a Pre-algebra. I think we'll be using Chalkdust for Pre-algebra. I looked at several pre-algebra's and decided the the video lessons from Chalkdust were the best quality.

I have the same concern with moving on to the next "thing" with a young student. I was not necessarily concerned with starting algebra early, but more concerned with the upper levels. We choose deeper over faster.

It's important to me that he both enjoys himself and is challenged without being frustrated or overwhelmed.

Just some thoughts.:001_smile:

[Michelle T]

and geometry. I'm working through the Key to Fraction books with DS currently, planning on doing the decimals and percentage books too.

DS seems to have really clicked with the Key to series, so I'm thinking of trying their algebra and geometry books too.
Michelle T

[8FillTheHeart]

My 12 yos finished Horizons 6 in 4th grade. He did MUS alg/geo combo book in 5th. (I am NOT a fan of MUS, but its concrete presentation and simplified approach to algebra and geometry was a great intro into the topics for him) He completed Foerster algebra 1 last yr as a 6th grader without any problem (he was actually better at it than his 8th grade sister who was doing it at the same time as him)

I have used MUS alg/geo combo book with 4 of my kids now after they finished Horizons. It has created a smooth transition into standard high school texts.

HTH

[hsmamainva]

I'm singing the praises of Life of Fred here!!!

My kids LOVE these books!! (I do, too!)

The Fractions and Percents & Decimals books are considered PreAlgebra, then there's Beginning Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, and then Calculus and/or Statistics.

Most books have a Home Companion book that you can order as well, which has daily lesson plans and all the books are self-teaching for the student. They're fun and interesting and contain plenty of math instruction.

And, at around $30 to $45 a course, they're very affordable!!

Here's a link

http://www.stanleyschmidt.com/FredGauss/index2.html

[Stacy in NJ]

I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't just move forward, and slow down *if* they hit a wall. You can always stop and go back a little, or do something supplementary for a time *if* they need it. But I would wait till there's actually a problem, rather than acting as if there is one just because one *might* *someday* appear.


Math knowledge can be shallow or deep. For a kiddo that may use math at the higher levels professionally some day, creative math is fun and enriching. Basic arithmatic offers lots of opportunities for creativity.

[jen210]

This post has been so helpful. My boys are 4th and 5th grade this year and we are doing Horizons 6. I have already started worrying about what I would do next especially since one will only be 5th grade next year. I've written down all of these and will look at them more closely over the year. I don't post a lot but go through periods of reading posts on the board and I am always glad I stopped by because someone asks a question that helps me too.

Thanks again!

Jennifer

[abbeyej]

Math knowledge can be shallow or deep. For a kiddo that may use math at the higher levels professionally some day, creative math is fun and enriching. Basic arithmatic offers lots of opportunities for creativity.

Sure, and I really value depth of math understanding and play. As ds has worked through elementary mathematics, I've tried to make sure he had lots of supplementary material (Singapore supplements, Math Olympiad, Challenge Math, Number Devil, math-oriented games, etc)...

But when a child is showing all the readiness for algebra that one would expect of an older child, why not move on beyond arithmetic? I just don't see putting on the breaks *solely* because of a child's age.