what do 3rd & 7th graders to in math?

Question

I have agreed to tutor two children in math - they'll be in 3rd & 7th grade, and have been in alternative schooling for 3 years and are far behind. What topics do kids that age do now in math? When do they do multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, pre-algebra, etc. Any input will be much appreciated. I have experience teaching math but have no idea what each grade does, and want to help these kids as much as possible.

Answer 1

Typically, 3rd graders are digging into multiplication tables and 7th graders doing pre-algebraic stuff like introduction to variables, but also more complicated division and work with fractions and decimals like you suggested.

If these kids are "far behind" however, there's no way of knowing what they're studying unless you ask their parents or teachers.

Answer 2

Hi Judy,

Why are they far behind? Are you inferring that the 3yrs of alternative schooling wasn't positive for them? -- I'm not home schooled or alternatively schooled etc. Pure public school teacher kid.-- and mostly self educated based on circumstance.

If you've already diagnosed the kids abilitys why try to match based on school systems? -- wouldn't this be the best oportunity to allow the individual to excel with the pure 1on 1 that you're "hired" to do?

A teachers biggest regret is the inablility to cover all topics and not be able to provide the full dedication to each of their pupils. --you seem to have that abilitywith them.

Teach them well...let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they posses inside. :)

Teach them all that you can, take them further than a bland curriculumn based on mandated test scores per school for fed funding. -- take them further...teach them math they can use and will remember you by in the years to come.

Ciao for now.
Good luck. -

Answer 3

Check out yahooligans math help... they are a wonderful resource in getting an idea as to what is going on. Also, check out a math book publisher- they often provide tidbits of the math book for online work, per each chapter. This should give you an idea as to what you are working with. Start with, http://www.mhschool.com/math/2003/student/

Answer 4

for the seventh grade you might want to try pre algebra
and for the third grade geometry and multiplication and fractions and decimals and precents now there starting to pick up the pace in math..

Answer 5

ok well, 3rd grade: (at least in my school)
- fractions
-multiplication
- division/long division
- number patterns
I think that was mostly what we did.

7th grade:
- mostly pre-algebra

Hope I helped in some way
good luck mate