Kathlynn

[Kathlynn]

Can anyone recommend a Right-Brain Math Program for a 12 yr old boy? He is gifted but struggling with math because of the traditional math curriculum we've used. Is MIQUON for right-brain learners?

[Kathlynn]

Can anyone recommend a Right-Brain Math program for a 12 yr old boy? He is gifted but struggling with the rote memorization of traditional math. Is MIQUON Math for Right Brain learners?

[Kathlynn]

Can anyone recommend a good Right-brain Math program for an 11 yr old boy struggling with math? He is a gifted child and tests very Right-Brain. Most curriculum is the traditional left-brain math and he is struggling with the rote memorization. Help! Thank you!

[abbeyej]

Have you looked at Life of Fred materials? A friend has been using them with her son and has been very pleased. She loaned me a couple of the books to look through. I rejected them for ds because I thought they were much too right-brain oriented for *my* son, but perhaps they would work well for yours?

[Lori D.]

Math-U-See is what finally connected for our very VSL (visual-spatial learner), or right-brained learner. MUS greatly helps him, as it makes the abstract concepts visual and concrete thru watching the use of manipulatives on the videos.

Rote memorization of math facts and abstract math concepts have been very tough for him. We just kept plugging away with triangle flashcards, skip-count songs, telling little "stories" to help visualize math facts (along the lines of "The Times Table the Easy Way"), and Schoolhouse Rock:Multiplication songs. I was just about ready to toss in the towel and give him some charts to look at, when he started to be able to remember those math facts along about age 11-12.

Hands On Equations helped him visualize "solving for x", and to visually see that an equation is like a balance scale -- what's on one side of the "equals sign" is balanced with what's on the other side, so whatever you do to one side to solve for x, you have to do to the other side as well to keep it balanced. (I still think Hands On Equations is an expensive "one trick pony", but if it helps, and esp. if you can either buy it used or resell it after use, it's probably worth it.)


Whatever you can do to come up with visual, concrete ways of *showing* those abstract concepts and algorhythms (sp?!) of math will help. The book "Hands On Math" has activities, visuals, and manipulative ideas for every math concept covered in grades 4-8. See it at: http://www.amazon.com/Hands-Math-Ready-Use-Activities/dp/0787967408/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218142709&sr=8-1

BEST of luck -- and hang in there! Usually these VSL kids start turning the corner around age 12, and again around age 14. : ) Warmest regards! Lori D.

[yslek]

Miquon is very discovery oriented. If your ds is the type of person who intuitively picks up concepts by playing with them long enough, then it might be a good fit.

Another program you might consider is RightStart. It's pricey, but I think it would be a good fit for a right-brained learner. The emphasis is on learning basic arithmetic facts through playing games rather than drill. The abacus is a great tool, too.

You could even get just the RightStart game set to use with whatever program you're using.

HTH:)
Kelsy

[siloam]

Can anyone recommend a good Right-brain Math program for an 11 yr old boy struggling with math? He is a gifted child and tests very Right-Brain. Most curriculum is the traditional left-brain math and he is struggling with the rote memorization. Help! Thank you!

I use Right Start, and we love it. My oldest was 9 when she started level B, and she should be finishing C by December. Math used to be one of her least favorite subjects and now she doesn't mind it, maybe even likes it a little.

Though I know a gal who uses Shiller math. She says it emphasizes place value more. You might be interested in it as well.

Heather

[LizzyBee]

My very right-brained dd12 loves Life of Fred.

[lwilliams1922]

BEST of luck -- and hang in there! Usually these VSL kids start turning the corner around age 12, and again around age 14. : ) Warmest regards! Lori D.



I am soooo waiting for that corner. My dd/12 is way ahead in everything EXCCEPT math. Can you say high school level subjects but 4th grade math.

We've been using mathusee for 6 months now. I think it helps her but we've got soooooo far to go.

[LanaTron]

Math-U-See is what finally connected for our very VSL (visual-spatial learner), or right-brained learner. MUS greatly helps him, as it makes the abstract concepts visual and concrete thru watching the use of manipulatives on the videos.

Yes, my right-brained VSL is doing great with MUS. I wish I would have switched her a long time ago when I first considered it, back in 1st grade.



Usually these VSL kids start turning the corner around age 12, and again around age 14. : ) Warmest regards! Lori D.

That's good to know, as I was just lamenting about my VSL dd to a friend today. I'll have to find a way to present her Latin work visually...before I pull all my hair out! :D She is such a wonderful child, and I know she is very smart, but her brain sure does work differently than mine.

[moosemomma]

Yes Miquon is a good fit for a right brain learner. But it is geared towards grades 1-3. It may be a bit remedial for him. What curriculum did you use and what level did you finish?

You could get cuisenaire rods and the primary Level and intermediate level idea books. You could it to teach the lesson. How is your son struggling?

Jill

[LizzyBee]

My 12 yo right brained dd loves Life of Fred math. You can see samples at www.polkadotpublishing.com .