Any suggestions on how to homeschool a stubborn 11 year old girl and keep her focused and motivated on math?

Answer 1

I have been trying to figure out how to homeschool my kids on math - and while mine are much younger (3 & 6) I think a similar solution might work. I searched Yahoo for online math games for kids and came up with a bunch of web sites that can help. Here are a few that I found:

http://www.iknowthat.com/com/ - up to 6th grade
http://resources.kaboose.com/games/math2.html - ages 6+
http://www.funbrain.com/ - k-8th grade it seems

There is usually a fun way to teach children stuff. If you expose her to these and let her learn at her own pace, she might love this kind of learning. If not, maybe now is not the time for her to learn math. Maybe her interest lie somewhere else and that should be what she explores now and in a month she may be more interested in math.

Unless you have a school test deadline coming up, there's no rush is there? If there is a rush due to a test, you might need to sit down and explain to her the situation and make it clear that if she can't pass the test she might not have the time to do any of the stuff she wants to do, because her time will be regulated by public school!

Answer 2

First, you need to find out WHY she can't stay focused and motivated - is she bored? Is she confused? Does she not understand what she is being asked to do? Or does she feel the work is beneath her because she already understands and this is just busy-work?

Depending on the answer, you may need to take a break for a while, or maybe try some real-life math (the grocery store is GREAT for this). You may need to switch curriculums. I understand this can get expensive, but see if you can get her involved in the process - have her review the possibilities and choose 2 or 3 that SHE would like to do, then you have final say out of the 2 or 3 she likes.

My 11 yo son has had this problem in the past. We instituted a reward for completing his work in a specified time frame. If he finished on-time or before, he got a $5 reward; if not, no reward.

Answer 3

My daughter was quite bored with math (we were using Saxon)and not really paying attention to what she should have been learning. I finally gave up the struggle and tried several other math programs. I saw a change when we started to use Math U See. The child can work at her own pace and move ahead only when she is ready. My daughter likes watching the instructional DVD and working along with the 'class'. I think it gives her a sense of independence to have that time away from mom during the morning lessons.
Do you have a local homeschool group that you could join? I would look into that. Our group of over 150 families has gym classes at the YMCA, field trips, picnics, art classes, drama groups, many sports teams, and the list goes on. Also look for great programs offered during the summer. Our daughter has attended Enviro Camp (city parks dept.) for the last three years. She will also be going to the local art museum for art camp. The parks department has tennis camps...you get the picture. Math, science, reading, writing, and just learning in general can all take place outside of books and 'school'.
I know homeschooling can seem overwhelming at times,but it is worth it. Hang in there!

Answer 4

the first thing you need to do is figure out why she's not focused and not motivated. doesn't like math? doesn't find it interesting? there are probably lots of reasons for that. are you trying to learn from a textbook? cuz that's boring, right? join a homeschool discussion list (try yahoo groups) that discusses math and the various tools and websites that make math more interesting.

making this a power struggle is a sure way to fail, btw.

kids rebel against doing math (in traditional or homeschool) all the time. there are lots of perfectly reasonable reasons for that. lots of homeschoolers figure out pretty quick that the actual amount of math learning that goes on in the average school year, until you get to high school, is pretty tiny. so tiny that, really, you could learn all of it, given intrinsic motivation, in a few months. and that's what a lot of successful homeschoolers decide to do--let it be real world math (around the house construction and cooking both have lots of elementary level math in them). and then let a true interest in math arrive in its good time.

Answer 5

I would use privleges, if she disobeys she gets 2 warnings then if she disobeys more then she has a privelge taken away such as a party. If she cooporates then she recieves an award, maybe she can have her girlfriends over for a sleepover or go buy something under $10 at the store. If she has troubles with focusing on math use something such as her favorite candy for multiplication and division, at the end she gets the candy.

Answer 6

The most important thing to remember is that you need to already have a good relationship with your daughter. Make sure that you have alot of fun together. Not just school. Make sure that you provide some incentives for her to do well with her studies. Maybe a small shopping spree for her or Taco Bell for lunch or having a friend over. It also may help to have a regular routine each day. School takes place from this time to this time. That way she knows what to expect each day.

Answer 7

She is very little with very little mind, so give her some time don't send her to any tutor.
Buy some toys such as puzzles & books which has some math with thoes thing which she likes.

& at the play time you can add some math means if she found math around her she will motivate on that

Answer 8

Call a social worker or a local children's counseler. They have great techniques and advice that they can give you, and sometimes you can get a session for free if insurance does not cover it. Your child usually does not go with on the first few sessions, instead the counselor/social worker will give you some techniques to try and then at your next session you will discuss how it went and procede from there.

Answer 9

With any type of learning, children need to have fun. Make solving equations exciting. There are a number of computer games that keep kids working on math. Give her rewards, or simply compliment her on areas of strength and any progress. Keep distractions away from her. She should have her own workspace free from distractions (ie. television, telephone...etc.), and where she can focus on math fully.

Answer 10

First, Why does she dislike math so much??
Can you possibly make it more interesting for her, say with real life examples?
What kind of a learner is she-- as in how does she remember things
does she need to see it on paper or can she make a sing-song and remember it?
Perhaps she would like to learn in a group?