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Math Supplements

For All Levels

2nd Grade

In addition to the specific recommendations above, there are numerous other possibilities. Look for books of word/thinking problems from teacher supply stores and home school distributors. Don't forget the practical experiences children get if they help in the kitchen. Cooking, reading, and measuring for recipes involve math skill application.
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Featured resource

24 Game

This is one of those deceptively simple ideas that accomplishes much more than one might guess. There are 96, 4" x 4" double-sided cards in each set. In Single Digits (#33976) each has four single-digit numbers. In Double Digits (#39976), there are combinations of single- and double-digit numbers. The challenge is to combine those four numbers using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to make a total of 24. Since the cards are divided into three groups, from easy to difficult, children as young as nine (approximately) can play using the easy cards of the Single Digit game, while adults will find some of the difficult ones in either game very challenging. The beauty of such a game is the amount of mental math that takes place to find the correct solution.
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3rd Grade

Help for Slow Learners

Children who are having trouble mastering basic arithmetic need to slow down and back up. There is no point going on to fractions and decimals without first mastering addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, since those skills form the foundation for future learning.

Hands-on materials are one of the best ways of reviewing for two reasons. The first reason is that concrete learning methods often work best with children who have difficulty. The second reason is that, because such materials are not age-graded, they do not carry the below-grade-level stigma of younger level texts.

Often, repeated practice is the key, and workbooks can provide a useful format for that practice. However, it is wise to choose workbooks with fewer problems per page since slow students are often overwhelmed by the perceived immensity of the task. Books like the half-size arithmetic practice books from Essential Learning Products are much less intimidating than something like an A Beka or Modern Curriculm Press worktext.

Some workbooks have been written specifically to help remedial students. Computation Basics is one such series you might consider.

4th Grade

CAUTION: Fourth or fifth grade is when the failure to understand concepts which have been taught earlier often shows up. Sometimes children can progress well through math programs by simple rote learning of processes. At upper levels they need to combine a number of processes and understand how and why to do so. If they have not understood what they have been learning, they begin to stumble at this point. If your child is having trouble with fraction functions or word problems at this point, back up and review as much as necessary before continuing. It will probably be necessary to reteach via a different method rather than simply repeating the same instruction the student did not comprehend the first time. Manipulatives are often the key to understanding in such situations.

Of particular interest at this level are Key To Fractions (Key Curriculum Press), which is very good for additional help with fraction concepts and the Focus on Problem Solving books (Continental Press) that provide additional practice with word problems.

5th Grade

If you're using a math program that lacks manipulatives, think about supplementing your with hands-on presentations and/or applications, both to enhance learning and to make math more enjoyable.

6th Grade

Do not neglect practical application and rely on the textbook to cover everything. Look for life application situations to use math—at the market, figuring wallpaper/carpeting footage, balancing bank accounts, construction projects, and small business ventures.

Junior / Senior High