I have been working with my 7yo dd on Level B since the beginning of this school year. We struggled and struggled for several months. Then took a break. The started back up and began to make swift progress. We made it from about the mid-30s lessons to lesson 65 today. She was doing so great with equations like 68 + 7. She could do them in her head. She was doing well with the 8s trick. She loves the 2 5s strategy, though she wants to use it even when it complicates things and I have to really encourage her to use a simpler method. BUT, this week, I'm realizing that she STILL doesn't know what 4+3 is and she is frustrated that she has to FIGURE IT OUT. She wants to just REMEMBER it. She said those exact words, "I'm just trying to REMEMBER it." We said, "Well, it's okay if you can't remember. All you have to do is figure it out. You know HOW to figure it out." She replies, "But I don't WANT to figure it out. I'm just trying to REMEMBER it!" The process of using an abacus or even her fingers seems to bother her with these simpler equations, though she seems thrilled to use it for larger ones.

Also, she is still totally clueless about time. Of all the topics we have covered so far, I think it's safe to say that time has been the most traumatic. If we work consistently and I can keep things cheerful and light for a few days in a row, by the end of the week, she seems to grasp it. But come back to it two weeks later? She's totally lost it all.

SO, because we're winding down for the summer at this point, and we're only on lesson 65 and struggling, I'm wondering if I should REPEAT Level B with her from the very beginning in the fall when I will be starting it with my son. I'm wondering if A) We all just need a break, B) She'll be motivated by having her brother work along side her (it might encourage her and challenge her to learn), C) They could learn and play the games together, D) She'd feel so good about being able to help him with stuff she really DOES know and "get."

Do you think it's a good idea? Or is there something else I should try?

I know I need to play games with her more, and I have planned on making that a priority for the new school year. It would be easier for me to do this if I could do the same ones with her and my ds.

I fear taking a break through the summer because it seems like she just doesn't have a very good memory for stuff like this. But we've had a rather chaotic year in every aspect of our lives, so I just can't see myself working on math every day through the summer. At first I thought that's what I would do, but then I realized that we STILL wouldnt' complete Level B by the first day of our new school year, so I thought, "What's the point?"

Any encouragement?

Hello Jana,

Thank you so much for your message! We are here for encouragement at all times! I apologize in my delay in responding to your message as I was gathering data and taking a deeper look into your individual situation.

I feel bad the there as been a struggle and we want the usage of RightStart to be as smooth and enjoyable (hence the games!) as possible!

Now as far as the repeat of B or moving on, this is a tough question. Of course you know your daughter and son the best. I see your point about playing it safe and repeating B with the brother also working through B, this can create a challenge and also a teaching experience for her! She will feel challenged by her brother but able to help him mature throughout the program!

In deciding what to do, I would spend the summer working on games (make sure the AL Abacus is near by) and using math in an everyday setting also! This helps remind her that math can be fun and that math is a part of our daily lives! At the end of the summer, after spending time on games and fun, retake the Starting Level Questionnaire and see how much more your daughter has advanced. She could be ready to tackle C or your option of working with her and her brother on B may be the best route to take!

When doing the mental problems with your daughter, I would strongly advise having the AL Abacus within reach, this helps her see the mental picture. She most likely won't be using the AL Abacus even for the easy problems but the security of having it there, will help her "see" the picture! You may find her using it for easy problems, but she will soon realize that it takes more time to move the beads than it does to just give the answer, since she does "know" the answer!

Now with the clock concepts, how many games have you been playing? If you don't have the Math Card Games Book, I highly suggest getting it, as pages 49-59 is full of games, there is a total of 30 games just on clocks! Game number 1 will be the easiest and the difficulty level rises with the game number. I think this will offer a fun and low pressure way of working with time. What child doesn't enjoy playing a game. To add a different spin on it, don't play the game during regular "math" time, do it at night as a family. Therefore there is no pressure to always get the answer right for a lesson. This way your daughter is working on her concepts, she is also wanting to do well because of her brother playing, and you are spending time as a family! I see this as a win-win situation. If you are interested in the Math Card Games Book its only $25, and since you have the cards from purchasing a kit, you would be set!!! :)

For the summer I HIGHLY suggest taking some time and just playing the games. I would suggest again to purchase the Math Card Games Book which has the following chapters; Numeration, Addition, Clocks, Multiplication, Money, Subtraction, Division, Fractions, and Curriculum Games! Emphasize that you are playing a GAME not doing a math lesson. As I mentioned above, play the games as a family, or even on a rainy day. Make sure your son is involved as they will learn quickly off of each other! Also play some of the easier games first as this will be a confidence builder for your daughter, and feel free to involve grandparents when they visit, neighbor kids, church friends, the more the merrier!

I hope I have answered your questions! Please feel free to contact us via the forum or our customer service number at 888-272-3291, which is handled by parents who homeschool everyday!

Don't be stressed out! Take a break and play a math game! :) Have a wonderful day! :)