How to help DD with maths (year 6 and level 3)

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

Hi, DD2 is just about to go into year 6 and has been given a 3 (secure) grade in maths. I don't feel this is good enough, she is bright but maths is something she has struggled with for a while and I have spoken to her teacher several times. I feel like the has a mental block, she thinks she "can't do maths". She still adds up on her fingers! Struggles with percentages, fractions etc but is good with visual maths such as shapes/geometry type things. Anyway, the last conversation we had, the teacher suggested waiting until October half term and then reviewing it. I feel this is too late and in any case is not very far into term, only a few weeks, what is likely to change? Given that she only has one more year at primary I feel we need to do more. DD is very reluctant, she is not good at doing work at home (we struggle with homework) but does tend to respond to bribery! What do you think - online maths programme? private tutor? DH and I are willing to help her but she is reluctant to be helped at the moment. We are so not pushy parents but concerned this will hold her back when she gets to secondary. Any ideas welcomed, thanks.

[JustRichmal]

I would get a Letts or CGP revision guide to work with her over the holidays so you know what she should be learning. Try and do work in the morning, before she gets tired.
If you want to work through them with her, spend time explaining sections, but write out examples for her to try. If she struggles, it is a balance between being patient and giving her time to think it through whilst stepping in to show her if she is stuck.
Get her to indicate with her thumb how much she understands the section. Even with a thumbs down just say, "That's fine. I didn't expect you to get it first time, I'm really only just telling you about it." If you return to the section a day or two later it will have had time to sink in and it will be easier. Asking again how much she has understood will show she is making progress even if her thumb is only half way. Ask her at the end of each section if she wants to stop or go on.
Collecting stars towards a pack of Lego friends or whatever she likes is always a good incentive, but make it for doing a lesson, not for how much she does or how long she spends.
Stay calm and keep the lessons light as any irritation on your part she will pick up on as confirmations that she can't do maths. She can, but like anything else, it needs a bit of practice.
Other resources you could try:
BBC Bitesize
Khan Academy
Letts Mythical Maths
nrich
Or alternatively, go to the education section of a book shop and pick out with her a maths book at her level which she likes.

[greeneggsandjam]

I had very similar issues to you, I really don't know that we were even at level 3 then! Teachers weren't very helpful. I tried everything from books that were coming out of my ears, to private tutoring (had to give up as couldn't afford it), a centre based tuition place where they can go in a couple of times a week and work at a computer, online learning. You name it I tried it. I really don't know how much use any of it has been as my child is still very behind but not helped by the fact that he seems totally uninterested in improving.

A the moment we have a tutor once a fortnight for an hour which I really cant afford but I don't know what else to do.

If she isn't motivated by the books then I would look into a good tutor and see how that goes for a few months though it is a big expense.

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

Hi thanks we have a KS2 book I bought online, I think it is Letts, and she did two sections tonight - the treat was that we would watch Brave together afterwards. I think it helped that DD1 was out at a sleepover. Also she chose which sections and of course chose ones she is good at - but that's okay I gave her lots of positive feedback just for doing it. We are okay with the idea of paying for a tutor but not sure how to find one - her teacher does personal tutoring but I am wondering if she might be better with someone from outside the school. She is a lovely girl, I would love to see her do better as I am sure a lot of it is to do with confidence.

[willowisp]

I would (& do !) pay for a tutor. 1/2 an hr x 1 a week has made a massive difference. Dd says it doesn't even seem hard work. The tutor started by finding out what dd found difficult - simple things like reading the question & understanding what it meant.

I can't tell you what DD was at yr 5 but she just got a 4 in her SATs.
Absolutely agree work on it over the holidays, but I wouldn't recommend on line stuff - seeing it & writing the answers seems to work their brain differently.

[ReigningQueen]

At my ds's school, the teachers recommend learning the times tables thoroughly if you're going to do anything over the holidays.
I've also signed mine up for the Maths Factor online summer school. Ds1 was slipping in maths in the second half of the year so I'm hoping this will help him get back up.

[Lizziewarmington]

Do masses and masses of mental maths. It will make the most difference and can be done anywhere. Tables and associated division facts, halving and doubling ( include decimals) find a third, a quarter, three quarters of numbers. Work out three for twos in shops. Being secure in these things will allow access to the curriculum and confidence when tackling problems.

[areyoubeingserviced]

Defo get your did to learn her tables.
I used to give my dcs two minute tables test everyday.
We would then correct them. You should see some improvement within weeks.
Make sure that knows her division facts.
Practice sats past papers

[nigerdelta]

What I would do...
there are lots of computer games that rely on basic maths facts, look online (mathsisfun etc.) and see if any games on CD look good.

[mrz]

If she's still counting on fingers I would focus on instant recall of number bonds to 10 plus times tables. Does she understand that subtraction is the reverse of addition? If she knows the addition fact she can apply it to subtraction and likewise multiplication & division (factor families)

[Goldmandra]

Sumdog is a very enjoyable way for children of this age to practise mental arithmetic. My DD loves it. You can use the free version or pay to upgrade I think.

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

Thank you all some great ideas here. Thanks.

[mrz]

www.newoscott.bham.sch.uk/our-school/curriculum-areas/maths-zone/number-club

[Ferguson]

You have had a lot of useful replies, but I will also add my standard numeracy info; it is really intended for younger children, and is quite basic, but you may possibly gain some ideas from it:

?QUOTE:

Practical things are best for grasping number concepts - bricks, Lego, beads, counters, money, shapes, weights, measuring, cooking.

Do adding, taking away, multiplication (repeated addition), division (sharing), using REAL OBJECTS as just 'numbers' can be too abstract for some children.

Number Bonds of Ten forms the basis of much maths work, so try to learn them. Using Lego or something similar, use a LOT of bricks (of just TWO colours, if you have enough) lay them out so the pattern can be seen of one colour INCREASING while the other colour DECREASES. Lay them down, or build up like steps.

So:

ten of one colour none of other
nine of one colour one of other
eight of one colour two of other
seven of one colour three of other

etc, etc

then of course, the sides are equal at 5 and 5; after which the colours 'swap over' as to increasing/decreasing.

To learn TABLES, do them in groups that have a relationship, thus:

x2, x4, x8

x3, x6, x12

5 and 10 are easy

7 and 9 are rather harder.

Starting with TWO times TABLE, I always say: "Imagine the class is lining up in pairs; each child will have a partner, if there is an EVEN number in the class. If one child is left without a partner, then the number is ODD, because an odd one is left out."

Use Lego bricks again, lay them out in a column of 2 wide to learn 2x table. Go half way down the column, and move half the bricks up, so that now the column is 4 bricks wide. That gives the start of 4x table.

Then do similar things with 3x and 6x.

With 5x, try and count in 'fives', and notice the relationship with 'ten' - they will alternate, ending in 5 then 10.

It is important to try and UNDERSTAND the relationships between numbers, and not just learn them 'by rote'.

I am sorry it seems complicated trying to explain these concepts, but using Lego or counters should make understanding easier.

An inexpensive solar powered calculator (no battery to run out!) can help learn tables by 'repeated addition'. So: enter 2+2 and press = to give 4. KEEP PRESSING = and it should add on 2 each time, giving 2 times table.

There are good web sites, which can be fun to use :

//www.ictgames.com/

//www.resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/index.html

UNQUOTE

[babasheep]

I d encourage her to know her timestable as well the basics. For those who manage maths well without knowing times tables luck for them. However for those who are not naturally good at maths then learn the tables will a lot.

[babasheep]

I mean it will help a lot. ( not a good idea to use phone)

[mummy1973]

Sounds just like my dd who is ahead in reading/writing but is less confident and doesn't enjoy many aspects of maths (she is 3a so on target now for a 4 in year 6). School have been great and she has had extra small group help once a week. A lot of it is lack of confidence but also can't be bothered. Securing tables and number bonds does help.