My son is having math difficulties...?

Question

I have a son who is having difficulty with long division. We use Math-U-See, and have followed the instructional video. Each day I sit with him and we go over the problems, and he does the rest on his own. The next day, he forgets. We go over the math problems again, and he does the rest on his own. This has been the process for a few weeks.

For some reason, he is not understanding the concepts enough to remember how to do them. We have tried manipulatives, sitting together, etc. Each day he gets frustrated and overwhelmed. He has no problems understanding multiple digit multiplication, but when I try to help him see that division is just backward multiplying, and showing him what numbers connect where, he still gets frustrated.

Should I just put it away for a time and try again later? Could it be that he is just not there, yet? Do you have any recommendations?

Answer 1

Math is something that takes hold over time, do not give up on teaching him the concepts, and steps.

It is not always a matter of simply remembering; he needs to learn to built on previous knowledge.

This too will happen with patience, and time.
My children know that I teach math, and although we use Saxon as our main text book, I have had to use Modern Curriculum Press for extra practice in some area's, the Key books for another child, and an additional resource called Math on Call for the next, and so on.

More often than not you will have to use multiple approaches; it is trial and error.

We also use many different games, this site has wonderful math games for all ages and levels.
I will also include a software web site in case he loves doing math on the computer.
Just keep plugging at it, it will be well worth your time.

Blessings.

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http://www.educationallearninggames.com/educational-board-games.asp

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http://www.mathsisfun.com/worksheets/ind...
http://www.algebra.com
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http://www.coolmath4kids.com/
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http://www.rainforestmaths.com/
http://www.clc.mnscu.edu/kschulte/mathworksheets.html
http://www.totallyfreemath.com/toc.html
http://www.aaamath.com/
http://www.mathsisfun.com/
http://www.purplemath.com/
http://www.multiplication.com/interactive_games.htm
http://www.learningplanet.com/sam/ff/index.asp

Answer 2

it doesn't sound like math dyslexia. in first grade, i knew my addition backwards and forwards, but could NOT do my subtraction. I got it when my parents explained that it is just reverse addition. 15 years later i am doing just fine.

multiplication is just reverse division. instead of adding together several times, you are subtracting several times. if he knows the processes for multiplying large numbers and decimals, you can show him that it's just doing the opposite. division is taking numbers apart rather than combining them together.

edit: biology is the only science where multiplication is the same thing as division. as a cell multiplies, it also divides itself.

Answer 3

I would keep working at it a few times per week in short spurts from various angles as you have (videos, manipulatives, going over it with him, practice work sheets, etc), but just relax with it and not put too much pressure on him-- eventually it'll sink, just tell him to relax, that he can take as long as he needs, there is no rush, and do lots of other things he is good at and enjoys for making the effort.

Answer 4

Does he know his times tables inside out? If not, I would go back and master it first.

Yes, I would put it away for the holidays and come at it again in January. My dd is having some problems with division as well. I know that one day it'll probably just click but I'm not sure when. *grin* We've put it away for Christmas as well.

Answer 5

Since it sounds like he can do it the day he's shown but not the day after, taking a bit of a breather from it and coming back certainly isn't a problem. There are lots of other math topics that can be done in the meantime!

Answer 6

The problem is that he puts too much pressure on himself tell him to relax its normal to feel like its not possible i still have problems with math so what i could recomend is to tell him to relax give him books expalining watever the math concept is and let him work on it by himself you'll see he will figure it out.

Answer 7

Your son might need a professional teacher. He could also be having a math dyslexia which unless, you are qualified you cannot determine.