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Note 241.17 Math problems 17 of 17
NETCAD::CURRIER 28 lines 3-JAN-1997 09:07
-< problem with a particular learning skill >-
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Hi,
Math is another umbrella term. A child may do poorly in computation but do
very well in comprehension and problem solving. Some people can memorize
tables very easily. For others it takes years of doing computation over and
over again. The teacher who expects extra work with the flash cards is all
that is needed doesn't know very much about the dynamics of learning. It's a
shame that people are certified to teach who haven't internalized psych of
learning.
If a child has memorization problems (be it with arithmetic tables, spelling,
or whatever facts), time, patience, and finding the right approach are
required. If you know that your child is putting in great effort to learn, you
must not let the teacher "punish" your child by making her stay in at recess to
do flash cards. You must give your child support when the timed test results
are poor.
Poor computation is no indication that your child will do poorly in math. My
daughter was terrible in timed tests. She still doesn't remember all the
tables. She has several tricks that she uses. She gets part way to the answer
then mentally counts on her fingers to get to the final answer. As time goes
on she becomes faster at this method and her computation slowness decreases.
And she is getting straight A's in algebra. This is good because she is only
in the 7th grade and has recently skipped grades in math. She took the books
that she skipped home and did the work herself. This only after I had several
battles with the school to convince them that the results of timed computation
tests were no measure of her math ability.
Again, flash cards are not the only method to teach computation. Try to find a
resource that can help you with other methods. And then, by trial and error,
you may find the one that is the best for your child.
Look into the math games that are available on computers.
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| My son also seems to have problems with memorization of math tables.
He is also in the fourth grade. He has been diagnosed with ADHD as
well, but the school says he does not have any learning disabilities (as
if ADHD isn't a learning disability ... but that's a different issue).
When I had a conference with his teacher, she did not seem concerned
that he did not have them memorized. He uses little tricks, counts on
fingers, puts little dots on his paper and adds them up, etc. She felt
that as long as he understood the process of what they were doing, that
was fine. He has not done well on timed tests in the past, but they
have not pushed these with him. As one of the requirements of his
"needs being met in the classroom" (versus having and IEP) is to allow
him additional time for organization of thoughts as well as his
physical area. If anyone finds a way to help these kids with math
facts, please post them here ... I'd love to see what works for others.
Anyone have any good computer programs/learning games to recommend?
Joyce
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