Need advice on math programs for 7th grader
 

My 7th grade daughter is getting more and more intimidated by algebra. When she was 10, she could multply two 3-digit numbers in her head. As she's gotten older, she's developed a math phobia or something. She just doesn't get it anymore.

Anyone know of any fun math programs or games to do at home that will help her get back on track?

Go to Kumon - I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Sometimes actual numbers confuse things. My daughter did well with abstract exercises like

a/b + 1 = a/b +b/b = (a + b)/b

(a + b)*(a + b) = a*(a + b) + b*(a + b) = a^2 + ab + ba + b^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2

because it was just playing with symbols.

But those help you figure out algebra.

It's a weird situation. I have a seventh grader and when we are working on algebra homework, he goes brain dead. "What is 1 + 1 + 1 + 2?" "Five?" "What? Five? What are you, stupid or something?" I think he really enjoys our time together. I think the problem is not staying on top of things from the very beginning and by this time of year, it's almost too late because he doesn't have the fundamentals down. I think it's a common issue. Good luck. If the fun games and programs don't work, try yelling.

Kinda like this one:

Purplemath

hated Algebra..
up to a point I could do the problems in my head..
up to a point..
Algebra is about learning the formula...
understand it..
then you can do the big problem..

Rika

I must be stupid; I got 'five' as well.

OK, wait, what I meant was "1 + 1 +2."

My poor kids, they have no chance. Talk about being dealt a bad hand . . .

well, at least you are in there trying. I had several parents who did not care.

I was (am) really good at math. Algebra was more of a pain for me initially as well. Takes lots of practice.

My son has been doing Kumon for many years. He started in around third grade, and it was literally starting with "5 + 6 = 11" type exercises.

It has worked well for him, but I don't think it would work for a seventh grader. It isn't designed to get students quickly up to speed on algebra. It's philosophy is to start young, and do short daily exercises to build fluency in math, over a very long period of time.

Also, because they start slow and build up very slowly over years, there isn't a lot of actual one-on-one, intensive tutoring or teaching done in Kumon. They aren't staffed to handle that.

IMO a seventh grader starting algebra doesn't have time left for a Kumon type approach. Some other method of teaching/tutoring would be a lot better.

Do you and/or wife have time to spend working the problems with her? The 'trick' to math is to invest the time and do as many sample problems as possible. My son is in 7th grade and most of his text books are also online with additional samples and quizzes. The key to algebra is to start with very simple concepts (solve for a single variable) with simple numbers that don't involve tedious division or multiplication work. Focus instead on understanding what a variable actually is. Also recommend Wikipedia for simple examples.

Finally, once kids get in this level of math you want to discourage them from doing mental calculations. Too easy to make a simple arithmetic error. Better to do ALL work on paper no matter how simple the calculation. My son was like your daughter and would finish arithmetic in his head - sometime incorrectly - so that even though he knew the 'hard' concept he blew it with a simple error.

I forgot about math, untill I recently needed to find my roof pitch given the angle and a side. Some kids(and adults) learn in different way, so examples of later practical application can help.

Give your kids a head start with business structures, taxes, mechanical theory, cooking, etc...

My son comes home with loads of homework and his math can at times take up to 90 minutes alone...every night. Just the math. I still think 3 hrs of homework (average) per night for a 7th grader is pretty extreme...but then that's another topic. If his algebra is loaded with busy work (complex multiplication/division) then I force him to do the first half by hand and if they are correct he can use a calculator for the remainder. I want him learning the 'concept' and not wasting precious time doing long division.

I have a 13 y.o. girl, who is not brillant but works hard. My 9 y.o. daughter is naturally smart but inherently lazy.
Both have been doing Kumon for a few years and I'm very impressed.
The progress the 13 y.o. has made is astonishing (4th out of 200 in her grade) and the 9 y.o. is in the top few kids of her class of 25.
Remember, neither kid is a natural math whiz, I'm convinced it's the Kumon.

We like Saxon math in our family. Lots of good practice there for the new concepts taught and the older ones being reviewed.

Math is a set of skills that build on previous skills. Each set of skills learned creates a foundation for the future math skills. If you skimp on the foundation.........well you know what happens with weak foundations in structures. It's very similar in math.

If you are not confident with fractions, decimals, exponents, etc you will have more problems in Algebra. The key we have found is to practice, practice, practice the skills leading up to Algebra and then practice, practice, practice the Algebra. Do all the problems in the Saxon curriculum(or whatever curriculum you choose). If the student is working the problems slow and the lessons are taking too much time then slow down a little but still do all the problems. Do not give in to the urge to take shortcuts by skipping the even problems or only doing a few until you think you understand it. Do ALL the problems and burn the knowledge deeply into your long term memory. It will do more good in the long run.
Feel free to have a 7th grader repeat Algebra in the 8th grade if necessary. It would be better to repeat it and more fully understand it than to continue on with less than a full and complete understanding. Too many parents want to push their children through to the next level rather than making sure they have a REALLY good understanding of the current level. Make sure your child has a thorough understanding before moving them on even if it means slowing down the progress every now and then. It will pay off in the long run.

JMHO....

Thanks for the replies. I do sit down with her and try to help. But she gets very frustrated right away. She could figure it out if she would just relax. She ain't dumb. She's writing a book, as well as a symphony for the sound track of the movie she hopes will be made, based on her book.

I'm hoping to find something that will turn a light bulb on in her head. Maybe it will just click one day.

You daughter sounds great, but math (at the algebra level) isn't something that "just clicks" on it's own, IMO.

I think you should get her some kind of extracurricular tutoring, asap, to help her try to get through this.