I have 11 year homeschooled 5th grade. He is on 3grade for math. He has multiple learning issues. Would this be a good program for him? What level should I start.thanks Betts

Hello Betts,

I can not answer if this is a good program for your son. I can only tell you that children with learning issues do VERY well in this program. Is what is equally strange is those who are math gifted do VERY well in this program too.

I have often pondered why such extremes do so well in this program. I personally believe it is because Dr Cotter has found the right blend of teaching math the way gifted students think and the teaching math in the way that children with learning issues can understand. It is not rote, useless information, it has context and usefulness. Children with learning issues need for things to make sense, and this program teaches them math in a way that makes sense.


We have a Starting Level Questionnaire at http://www.alabacus.com/questions/

There you can see where to place your child. If you feel that you are not sure if they belong in that Level call our 888-272-3291, and we will be happy to further assist you. I find that each child needs to be placed individually, as each child has different needs. Calling us will help us know where they should be.


Finally, I would like to supply you with some tips on teaching this program.
I have three kids that I teach this program to.
I have learned three main points:

1) Keep your time limited in each session, I recommend 30min per child per day. I stop once we hit that time. I find it is usually their limit of concentration after that time they don’t hear what you say, and you are only adding frustration. I also find that because I keep to that time limit that I can be consistent, and they are not fearful to do math, because they know that there is an end to the lesson in 30min. Those who leave math an open time limit, may create a fear of math in their children.

2) Be consistent. Don’t do math every now and then. Do it regularly. I personally have found that if I do school 15 days out of each of the 12 months it works for our family. It totals 180 school days and yet keeps us consistent in our schooling. We don’t get burnt out of school, because we always have at least one week off each month; and we don’t get out of the habit of school, because we are always poised to start again, it is a part of our whole lives. School is not consigned to some months and not others, it is part of life.

3) Play the games, I mean PLAY THE GAMES! :) I cannot over emphasize the importance of the games. Even on days when you are not told to play the games fit it into your school day.

Most kids who learn math only understand the theory of math, but can not apply it in real life. I liken it to learning how to drive. You get a booklet from the state and you memorize it then you take a test. Let’s say you get 100% on the test did it make you a good driver? No, it just means you memorized the “theory” of driving. In order to become a good driver, you have to get in the car and “apply” the theory. Only with practice of driving do you start to internalize the driving rules and become a better driver. The same is true with math. The books and worksheets provide the “theory” of math, while our Math Card Games provides the “application” of math. As they use both they understand math as a whole. This will help them in the long run in higher mathematics and everyday math. So make sure she can do both and she will do just fine in the higher math.

Also, the games help store the information into the correct places in the brain for better retrieval. Whereas rote memorization stores the information in the short-term part of the brain--where the information has no context of other information (like a telephone number, we dial in the numbers but they don’t mean anything mathematically). The math learned in the games gets stored in the strategy/logic part of the brain because there was context and meaning to the numbers-they have to perform certain calculations to win the game. Plus, it is done in a friendly environment where the time spent will be remembered as good time learning math, thus will be more likely to produce good feeling towards math—even if it is not their favorite subject, it will not be their hated subject.

I hope that this is helpful, but if ever you have more please email me at carissa@alabacus.com and will do my best to answer them. Or you can call 888-272-3291 and our excellent customer service ladies will be happy to assist you.


Thank you for giving your child a RightStart in Math,

Carissa
RightStart™ Mathematics by Activities for Learning, Inc.

For program questions: 888.272.3291
To place an order: 888.RS.5.MATH (888.775.6284)
www.RightStartMath.com

Our Mission: To help children understand, apply, and enjoy mathematics