Good old 'basic math' - and I do hope someone can rescue me re this wee woe.

A few years ago we watched a science show with a young man who felt that some kids take to math like ducks to water - gentle grin - while others start floundering immediately and sink in no time. And he came up with a completely different method of learning/comprehending basic math - in fact, when we watched him I remember thinking, wow! And how I wish I'd made note of his new teaching method or at least his name - huge drat.

Have a 10 year old who is struggling mightily with math and although I've wandering through the internet, I can't find a single reference to what I'm looking for. (Sadly, learned long ago that if I don't know the right search terms the search engine isn't kind).

And if no one knows the name of the teaching method either, may I ask another question, please. If given a choice between getting a private tutor or a peer-to-peer tutor, any idea which usually has the best results with children?

Thanks so much,
Mara

Well MaraM,

Coming from my own experience I'd say peer-to-peer tutors work best if they are working. You'll have to make sure of that. I think that most tutors just don't explain it in terms that the kids can understand, if you have another one his age they could explain it better.

-Steve

Thanks for the advice, need TOS, and I'll follow it.

Will hire another student to give him a hand with the Grade 5 math as I have this fear that once a child starts falling behind in any subject, especially math, school can become hell.

Thanks so much for letting me know your thoughts - I do appreciate it.

No problem, if you need anything else you know where to find me. Good luck with the tutor.

-Steve

P.S. Call me Steve

Mara, I think I saw that same program. Maybe it was on the Discovery Channel?

I've been searching also - just haven't found it yet. It doesn't show up in DC chan for me.
(Argh - google is not our friend in this instance?)

I'm just so so so relieved you too saw the program, Conundrum - I was beginning to think I'd either imagined it or simply lost my mind!

'Google' and I are not longer friends - gentle grin - for I've discovered if one doesn't know the exact search term the results are always dismal - huge drat!

How very kind of you to be searching as well! Thank you so so much!

My advice: sit down take some time to talk to your child, go over the material even if you don't understand it. I do this alot with my own parents (with the minor fact that I'm taking AP calculus and Physics with a class for physical chemistry comming up in the spring), I sit down with them and go through a problem explaining what I know step by step, I think this method actually triggers the mind to think differently about the subject , and I'll have many "Aha" moments.

I found this method to work well for me specificly, I don't know that it will help your little one but it's always worth a try.

Hi Ussr1943,

Yes, you are quite right about spending the time one-one-one ... and for the life of me I can't help but wonder what it is about the 'new math' teaching method that seems to throw so many little ones. Hmmm, maybe it's similar to the 'new English' where one isn't taught phonics - ergo, half the children never learn to read or spell properly?

You're advice is very sound and I thank you! In fact, I've taken it one step farther and discovered that if I use visual references (drawings, etc), he 'get's it far easier than if I simply verbalize why something 'is' - and he too is beginning to have a few of those magical "aha" moments - huge smile!

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond and I wish you massive success in both calculus and physics - good for you!!

Mara