Yr 3 way behind and struggling with maths - advice please

[pacinofan]

dd1 has just started year 3. I looked at the curriculum brochure given to her yesterday and it outlines what is expected of her this year regarding, amongst other things, maths. It's way beyond her. So too is the year 2 curriculumm she was supposed to do last year. I would say that she struggles even to grasp what she did in year 1. Her report in July this year gave her a grading of 1 (can't recall a, b or c).

I am really, really worried about her maths. I am a duffer at maths, and don't want her to struggle along like I have. The school say quite simply that she isn't poor enough to get extra help, but will be working with children of the same ability. That's as good as it gets. So what do I do - is paying for Kumon the only way forward? Or should I just accept that her maths is poor, but so what, her literacy is ok - her year 2 teacher openly admitted that girls had 'problems' with maths, and not to worry. But I do.

Any advice gratefully received.

Hello,

I have recently, in the last 3 months, started using mathswhizz(google it).It is genuinely fun,cheap,adjusts to your child's level and offers a free trial.My daughter loves it and I have to say "no not tonight" sometimes.
It has given her confidence.
Kumon works for some but the homework is onerous and it is pricey.
Hope that helps.

I'd go to WH Smiths (or Amazon) and get a maths book for key stage 1 (infants).

Practise counting in different steps (start with 1s up to 20 then up to 50 then up to 100).

Count using objects up to 10. Use language like bigger, smaller, more than, less than. Make two piles of buttons or coins etc. Guess which one is bigger? How many do you think is in that pile etc.

Cooking is great for helping with maths concepts.

Children who find pen and paper work difficult will often do well in real life situations - weighing, measuring, time telling etc. because it has purpose and is meaningful.

I too have just subscribed to Maths Whizz and I (and my child) absolutely love it. Its so addictive.

It does depend on whether your child responds to computers. My own child will not fill out worksheets or books.

You start off with an initial assessment (that you dont let help your child with) and then it will give you lessons based on how you answered.

THey focus on
Place Value
Counting
Fractions
Rapid Recall
Handling Data
Shapes and Space
Strategies

If your child doesnt understand a topic, then another lesson will appear using a different strategy.

(from the site)

An initial assessment to develop your child's unique math profile, and to help ensure that she starts at the right level; not too easy, not too hard.

Individualized learning. Math-Whizz continuously adapts to your child, making decisions on what to teach based on her responses, in just the way a good private tutor would.

As also mentioned by another poster, practical maths is also an excellent way of learning - just do it automatically and dont let on what you are doing

Sorry I have mentioned Whizz Maths in a few posts recently, but I love it. I have learned so much myself!

Also playing games that use counting, dominoes, playing cards, snap, etc.
recognising similar numbers

do an internet search on playing maths games at home, there are hundreds of different ideas. Kids learn through play and this is sometimes a better way of teaching rather than through formal methods that they realise what they are doing and switch off.

Sorry Im taking over your post, but I should add that there are many many free sites on line that you could try before you decide to pay anything.

Many sites are age related, so start off at the very beginning and build up confidence before moving up the stages.

Its important that very basic concepts are understood before trying more harder maths

If she got a level 1 then she is working below the expected level. I think most schools would put her on a maths intervention at this point ( teachers - is thar right?).

So I would be talking again to school and find out exactly what support she will be getting to ensure she makes 'adequate progress' - which she hasn't made so far.

"her year 2 teacher openly admitted that girls had 'problems' with maths, and not to worry."

Sorry, I had to go back and read that sentence again In fact girls do better at GCSE maths generally. This teacher has probably got affected by the "confident boys showing off their knowledge" syndrome. Yes you, are right to be looking to support your DD's maths, especially if her teacher makes statements like that.

As Mowgli says, sort out the basics first. Make sure she's confident with the yr 1 and 2 work (particularly the arithmetic). Start with 1+1, then 2+1 etc. Use choc chips, flashcards, playing cards, oral testing etc. She's going to need to meet the basic facts lots in order to memorise them. I have a DIY Kumon approach on my maths blog as well which may help.

I'm currently road testing maths whizz for a review for my website. Roadart is right about the benefits of it. They also give your child a maths age which increases as they move through the program. However I think that perhaps the Mathsfactor perfect practice would be better for drilling the arithmetic if you don't fancy doing it yourself.

I'm a former Kumon instructor, you can read my latest Kumon write up, as a long term, expensive, individualised program, it does work, but for what you're spending on Kumon, your child could do maths whizz, maths factor and mathletics, and you'd still have change (although a rather exhausted DD as well)!

I agree with indigobell. A 1 is behind although I think its important to establish what sort of 1 it is. If its a 1A then its not far behind a 2c which is behind average but within expected levels. If she is at a 1c or 1b then I would definitely be in contact with the school to establish whats being done to help her attain expected levels

I would not go along with the girls struggle with Maths thing. that doesnt ring true at all

Thank you to all your replies. I don't expect her to be a high-flier at maths, I just want her to be of 'average' ability, enough for her to get by in life and not struggle. When I contacted the school last year, I was told not to worry. Well, I clearly was worried and I asked what could be done to help my daughter. She is apparently not poor enough at the subject to get one-to-one help. Makes me wonder how bad she'd have to be to get help?

Will try mathswhizz, have ruled Kumon out on expense alone (think £50 a month is on the high side tbh). She has gone into school this morning crying, partly about maths. It makes me so sad.

Even though she doesn't need 1:1 - that does not mean she shouldn't be on a small group maths intervention - which can be just as, or even more, effective.

If she is upset about doing maths at school then there is a problem and you need to keep addressing this with school (as well as at home).

They will be claiming she is making progress. With hindsight one of the things I should have done with my DD is get them to quantify this. So they should be able to tell you 'Now she is doing X, Y and Z and by Christmas we expect her to be able to do A, B and C'. Then at Christmas you can discuss with school if she is doing 'A, B and C'. But they won't be able to continue to claim she is making good progress if she hasn't met the targets they are expecting her to meet.....