Any Math teachers around?

[pbgirl 1]

My neice is entering 7th grade in the fall and unfortunately, her 6th grade teacher was not the best (actually fired at the end of this year) and now my neice has fallen behind in her math and algebra.

There are entire chapters that the teacher appeard to have skipped about basics of algebra.

Can anyone recommend resources for helping her get up to speed? We're willing to buy software, purchase any recommened books or visit any websites for reference material.

She's got all summer!!

[DeadPoolX 9]

I'm not a math teacher, but when I was younger, I wasn't very good at math. I've since become much better, but I know how frustrating it can be at times. All I can say is that most software probably won't help (it's impersonal, cold and very often, talks down to the student), so I'd recommend opting for a human tutor. Research is the key here, since you'll want to find someone qualified and not just looking to make a quick buck. If they're good, however, they can actually make math seem interesting (a feat that can sometime be quite difficult).

Since it's her summer vacation right now, I'm going to wish you luck in getting her to work on math. Perhaps that's the smart thing to do, but somehow I doubt she'll really want to spend most or all of her summer working several hours per day on math equations -- especially if her friends are out having fun and calling her up to join them.

[Jenn! 918]

I used to teach math, at both the middle and high school levels. I definitely agree with what DPX wrote, you need a human teacher. Well there are some unique students that could teach themselves, but they are few and far between. If she doesn't get the basics of algebra down, math is going to be a real struggle from this point on IMO. Many teachers tutor during the summer, so I would try to contact the schools and see who is available.

[pbgirl 1]

Thanks for the advice. She's got her mom who is helping to guide her through the lessons and explain things for her, but she doesn't have access to the curric that might help her teach the content better. I thought there might be some math workbooks that could help or any other resources for her. Or I was thinking about getting a HS student that wants to make extra money tutoring.

[Jenn! 918]

The curriculum should be available on their state's DOE website. Does she still have her textbook from school?

Also, you can go to a teaching supply store to browse and purchase some supplementary materials like workbooks.

The internet can be useful, but you have to pore through a lot of nonsense to get what you want. Investing in some "real" materials would be worth it.

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

My company has a web site they support MathMovesU The is site is geared to childern about that age. It is free. As my childern are not in that age range I don't have personal feedback but they had talked about the kids earning prizes at stages of the program.

[Niels Bohr 72]

What made me very interested in math was the educational TV shows. The Discovery channel aired shows on how NASA scientists build shuttles, and watched Carl Sagan videos on the Cosmos. These shows inspired me, and now, I'm an Engineer. Give it a shot!

[HAL 9000 96]

I used to teach math, at both the middle and high school levels. I definitely agree with what DPX wrote, you need a human teacher. Well there are some unique students that could teach themselves, but they are few and far between. If she doesn't get the basics of algebra down, math is going to be a real struggle from this point on IMO. Many teachers tutor during the summer, so I would try to contact the schools and see who is available.

You may also want to check out a local university for students interested in sharing their love of math... engineering students, math students, even business students.

[franklie 0]

The following website generates algebra worksheets. I use it for the math classes that I teach.

Algebra Worksheets

[Niels Bohr 72]

The following website generates algebra worksheets. I use it for the math classes that I teach.

Algebra Worksheets

GREAT SUGGESTION!

There's software available that teaches math from grade 1 to grade 12. There's mathworks, which teaches basic arithmetic all the way to calculus!

[DeadPoolX 9]

Thanks for the advice. She's got her mom who is helping to guide her through the lessons and explain things for her, but she doesn't have access to the curric that might help her teach the content better. I thought there might be some math workbooks that could help or any other resources for her. Or I was thinking about getting a HS student that wants to make extra money tutoring.

Unless her mother is very good at math and an exceptionally patient person, I'd recommend against her teaching her own daughter. In my experience, I've found that parents don't often make good instructors for their children. The problem is that a parent is too close to their child, so they can't remain objective. If the kid doesn't understand something or whatever is taught isn't "getting across," the parent will often take it as a personal failing or insult of their own and ultimately get aggravated. The parent's annoyance then rubs off on their child, making them irritated, which sometimes leads to an argument and then nothing of any relevance gets done.

You may also want to check out a local university for students interested in sharing their love of math... engineering students, math students, even business students.

That's an excellent idea.

If you look at college students whose majors involve math, try to pick ones who are planning to go to graduate school. Since most PhD programs assume their graduates wish to teach (whether or not that's true) and have their students teach at some point during their courses, a college student could use tutoring others in math to buffer their application. So I'm willing to bet that many students aiming for a PhD in math-related fields would be eager to show they can do more than get good grades in their required courses.

[pbgirl 1]

Excellent advice and resources everyone. Very much appreciated!!

[Niels Bohr 72]

Getting someone with a PHD in math to teach a 7th grader? LUCKY!

My alegebra teacher didn't have a PHD. As a matter of fact, all of my high school math teachers doesn't have a PHD.

[NavarreMan 10]

Excellent thread! Great advice.

[Bootylicious!! 2]

I would suggest checking out the local universities to see if there are any camps being taught over the summer. We have a math camp here at our university that I hear is very fun. Also, I would suggest going to the local library to see if they have old textbooks available. Here at our library they have the previous years textbooks on the shelf. You can't check them out but you can make copies of anything you would like. That's how most of our home school parents get their curriculum for the year.

I also wouldn't recommend her mother "teaching" her math. My dad was a math teacher and when I had difficulty in the subject he would help me. It always turned into an argument when I wasn't "getting it" as quickly as he thought I should.