Is your child being left behind in Math?

When students can do these questions (at their grade level and below), mentally — without using pencil and paper — they are likely doing well. For students who can't handle these questions, this is a warning sign. Very often they need help outside of the classroom. Students who can do the questions at and above their grade level may need a more challenging experience. 

See how well your child answers these questions. The results may surprise you!

First Grade:	11 + 12 = ___
Second Grade:	1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 = ___
Third Grade:	How much is 99 plus 99 plus 99?
Fourth Grade:	Count by 1¾ from 0 to 7.
Fifth Grade:	Which is greatest: 17/18, 23/30, or 18/19? Explain how you got your answer.
Sixth Grade:	Halfway through the second quarter, how much of the game is left?
Seventh Grade:	How much is 6½% of 250?
Pre-Algebra:	On a certain map, 6 inches represent 25 miles. How many miles do 15 inches represent?
Algebra:	When you take 3 away from twice a number, the answer is 8. What is the number?
Geometry:	What is the Absolute Value of the point (3, 4)?

For the answers, click here or visit our site!

Larry’s Math Do’s and Don’ts

In December 2004, the Wall Street Journal reported that American kids are “Economic Time-bombs” because they are not learning enough math to be the good problem solvers the nation demands. With this in mind, how are your children performing in math? 

Most American children lose ground to students all over the world who are preparing themselves for success in the future, which includes, like it or not, a lot of math. And why is this happening?

Unfortunately, this is because year-after-year students are put in classes for which they do not have the prerequisite knowledge necessary for success.  Under these conditions, it is difficult, if not impossible, for teachers to ensure that students are acquiring the number sense in elementary school and the solid pre-algebra skills in middle school needed to be successful in Algebra and the higher math classes required in high school and college, regardless of their choice of majors.   To ensure your child is on track, I have created some simple Do’s and Don’ts. Do’s:

• Do “math” with your children just as you read with them
• Do make sure your children get their math homework done in a timely fashion
• Do meet with your child’s math teacher from time to time so you know what is going on beyond the report card. Work with your child’s teacher to set realistic goals for current school year and for the future.
• Do check to see if your child (one major tip per grade level):
  • Second Grade: Is “fluid” with single-digit addition and subtraction.
  • Third Grade: Can find half of even and odd numbers.
  • Fourth Grade: Know times tables “by heart.”
  • Fifth Grade: Can order fractions using benchmark numbers.
  • Sixth Grade: Is able to mentally calculate percents using “friendly” numbers.
    • 7% of 300 = ? are “friendly” number, whereas 7.132% of 321.097 = ? ain’t so friendly!
• Seventh Grade: Is able to convert fractions to decimals to percents.
• Pre-Algebra: Can effortlessly add and subtract positive and negative numbers.
• Algebra: Is able to solve simple equations “by inspection.”

Don’ts

• Don’t let your negative experiences in the math classroom influence your child’s education.
• Don’t let your child use a calculator until he has developed genuine Number Sense.
• Don’t let your child be put in a math class that he is not ready for, that is, a class where he does not have the prerequisite knowledge necessary for success in the class.

  Following these Do’s and Don’ts will not solve everything, as students need to continuously nurture their math skills and Number Sense with practice. However, use these as guidelines that will help steer your child in a strong direction.

Back to School Checklist

Imagine this scenario.

One day a student arrives at the college or university of his choice for the first time as a freshman. He is so excited to start his new adventure as a college student, inevitably facing new challenges and meeting new people. Knowing that things would not come easy, but ready for all that was ahead of him, this student is confronted with the Mathematics Placement Exam to see what level of college math the student is qualified to take.

The results of the exam make it clear that the student is nowhere near ready for the course that will help him achieve college credit, an unfortunate situation that occurs far too often with incoming college freshman. Before taking the math course of his choice, he will have to revisit previous math concepts by taking a non–credit course, delaying his progress toward college graduation.

This is not an uncommon situation. Nor is it a situation without a solution, as we will see in a minute.  This is a reality that many students go through when entering college, causing them to give up on potential careers in fields that relate to math. We want to stop this from happening early on! The problem can be fixed in grade school.

With that in mind, I have created a Back to School Checklist consisting of three simple questions:

1. Are your child’s math skills ready for the coming school year?
2. Is your child being placed in the right math class?
3. Do you have resources identified in case your child needs extra help with math?

To properly gauge your child’s math capabilities, ask them the appropriate question for the corresponding grade-level they just finished:

• Second Grade: Can you efficiently compute 7+8+9-10?
• Third Grade: How much is 99+99+99? This should be done mentally!
• Fourth Grade: Count from 0 to 7 by 1 3/4?
• Fifth Grade: Which is greater: 9/10 or 18/19? Explain.
• Sixth Grade: Half way through the second quarter, how much of the game is left?
• Seventh Grade: How much is 6 1/2 % of 250? Explain.
• Pre-Algebra: On a certain map, 6 inches represent 25 miles. How many miles does 15 inches represent? Explain.
• Algebra: Solve 4x+3=0. This should be done mentally!

Make sure these questions are solved as efficiently as possible because if the appropriate measures are taken, higher grades will only be the beginning of your child’s math experience. Your child will have an improved attitude towards math, they will be better prepared for future math classes, and they will be prepared for college level work when the time comes.

And from college… Who knows where math can take your child?