Template design Copyrighted
by My God Given Mission Field
All Rights Reserved
© 2006.
|
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - Jury, math and anxiety
|
The good news is that I didn't have jury duty. The bad news is that maybe I should have had to go to jury duty. I made my phone call last night and there were no cases scheduled today so I didn't have to go. I was kind of hoping to have a chance to experience it. Maybe next time.
Unfortunately, today with the kids and school created a very frustrating day for me. One child in particular was causing problems but the bigger picture is that somehow their behavior has gotten away from me, meaning they are not being diligent in their work and they are not obeying me. Ugh! So there was a moment today (I am being very candid) where I really wanted to find an object to through and scream like a wild woman. In that moment as I looked for something to throw and what to scream I had an opportunity to make a different decision and in that second I chose to close my eyes. I just stood there with my eyes shut and I took several deep breaths and I just whispered "help me". When I opened my eyes I was much calmer and the impulsiveness passed. Thank you Lord. After about 5 minutes I started getting a bad stomach ache. Then hubby called. I told him what happened and started crying. My stomach was so upset and my chest hurt like it was going to explode. I realized that I was having an anxiety attack. While I was able to control my outward behavior in my anger I had internalized it and it came out physically. My stomach hurt until the evening time. I am feeling better now, but that was just a strange experience. Can anyone relate? Any tips on how to handle this better?
What to do about math? Princess is 9 and in 4th grade. I just don't know what to do about math with her. I am so frustrated. I am using Developmental Math with her. It is a good program. She is stuck right now with division with remainders. I don't know how to move past this point. She doesn't get that division is the opposite of multiplication. She knows her multiplication facts, but she isn't fast at it. It still requires some thinking. I have used manipulatives with division and she can do it. She understands the concept doing it that way. She is already behind in math and I am not sure how to help her anymore. Do I need to change curriculum? I don't know. Any words of wisdom?
Susan
|
| • Leave a note! |
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - Screaming on the Inside, Too! |
| Posted by Mileshouse |
I had one of those days the other day - screaming and throwing things internally, while trying to not lose it in front of the kids. PRAISE GOD you were able to take a breath, pray and get control. I'm not always so in charge. I'm always grateful when He meets me in my humanity.
As to math, I also have a daughter who is 9 and in 4th. She doesn't know her multiplication facts well at all. In fact, neither does my 10 year old son who is even worse at the facts than she is! We have just started division and that seems totally perplexing to her. I'm going to try Math-U-See this week (we have the stuff from the ps virtual school, but I'm using this other program since it didn't seem to make sense). I know some people say to just plug away at the same program, but we were using RightStart Math before and it just didn't get the facts memorized. It was great for laying the foundation in a fun way, but we weren't consistent enough with the games for the kids to relate that info back to facts.
So, pretty much I don't have any advice! Just wanted you to know that we're in a worse boat. Try not to stress out about it. Perhaps you could search online for another way to present the info and try another approach rather than replacing what you have? I don't know. Just some rambling thoughts. Have a blessed day!
Melanie |
| Permanent Link |
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - Quick Question |
| Posted by Mileshouse |
Did the Times Tales book you have on your sidebar help with the Mult. facts? We're going to have to try a different approach...perhaps you'll have the answer to my problem instead!
Thanks,
Melanie |
| Permanent Link |
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Rebeca |
I hope that today goes better for you, and I will pray for you.
Rebeca |
| Permanent Link |
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Anonymous |
Hi Susan,
I've stopped in here before, and just wanted to let you know you are SO not alone! I went online at Amazon to get the Turansky/Miller parenting book (the "agruing/whining" one) and the same authors have apparently written a book about anger and our parenting (I think that's what it seems to be about, at least). It is called "Good and Angry" and I ordered that too.Can't recommend it yet obviously but it intrigued me enough. I don't know if that would be helpful to check it out? I think there are times we just all need REFRESHING in our families and in our parenting and relationship with the Lord. We are covering the school "basics" right now, but are trying to positively "rally the troops" to clean up some of the sloppy behaviors we have all gotten into around our home, especially in the ways we are relating/speaking to one another at times. We are going through "our 24 ways" by the Clarksons, and taking lots of time to role play in a fun way, and talk about how we will all be HAPPIER if we treat each other as the Lord intends us too. It is taking ALL the energy and diligence I have to do this in a positive and instructive way but I know He will strengthen me! I pray the Lord's blessings upon you as you look for answers.
Dawn |
| Permanent Link |
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - Encouragement |
| Posted by Anonymous |
Hey, Susan!
Just a couple of ideas ~
When we start having days like that, where the behavior is spinning out of control and making me feel out of control, I break out the "penny cups." Each child has a clear, plastic cup with his name written on it, placed in a prominent place. Each cup starts with ten pennies in it. I have a pocketful of pennies. At the beginning of the day, I remind them of the behavior I expect and tell them that we're having a "penny cup day." Every time someone misbehaves, I can calmly take a penny from his cup. Every time I see someone doing something well, I can joyfully add a penny. It's a very simple exercise, which helps the children to be more aware of their behavior and gives me a very quick, easy, unemotional tool for immediate reinforcement. It might be worth a try! =)
Second, my kids have made the most progress in learning math facts by using a flashcard website. Currently, we use this one:
http://home.indy.rr.com/lrobinson/mathfacts/mathfacts.html
and each child does 50 problems a day. I reward sets of 50 correct answers. So, sometimes they do extra to earn extra rewards.
Most of all, hang in there!! God is using you to bless your children, even when you are less than perfect. AND He is using your children to shape you in ways nothing else can. He loves you and wants you to succeed!
Blessings,
Brenda on the S OR Coast |
| Permanent Link |
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by nsremom |
Two things:
One, I have had what I would call a panic attack before, and for me....the ONLY thing that comforted me was to read the Bible. Not even prayer would help me. I needed something concrete~outside of myself~ to cling to. I related prayer to more of me and my ability to mess it all up.
Second:
One of the best things I've ever read/learned since I began homeschooling also applies in other areas. It's simply this........If it doesn't work.....change it.
If you don't like your curriculum.......you're not a slave to it. Change it. There's no shame. What's with us moms thinking we need to finish everything? I used to beat myself up over a workbook that didn't get finished to the very last page. REALLY.....who cares?
I remember I posted last year about my son and fractions. I was sooooo frustrated because he simply was not getting it. What helped me is to stop trying to complete the book any further. I had to literally STOP. HALT. Just quit. (Remember, I like to complete things)
I then did nothing else with him in math except for worksheets that I downloaded off the internet, problems his dad wrote down for us to work out. And just random fraction related work. And I stopped worrying about the future and how far behind he was falling. (doesn't your daughter zoom through some subjects while lag in others? Don't we also?)
I just love reading your blog.
You are so open and fresh. there is no fakeness to your tone and your openness with your weakness only makes you STRONG. Remember Christ said it, not me. :) |
| Permanent Link |
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by nsremom |
Your comment made me smile.....now we're even.:)
We use Singapore until 4th grade, then Saxon 5th (which I don't love at all, but it's what we're doing as of February 28th! LOL). Singapore was amazing in my ever so humble opinion. The kids really enjoyed it as well. It's a really good choice for the lower grades.
But, it's not really about curriculum.
I think the stop/halt advice is what worked for us. (in fact I used that recently with my 2nd grader who decided she couldn't remember how to count by 10's past 90......*sigh* We then worked SOLIDLY for days on a counting by tens chart.....(I used a piece of copy paper, nothing exciting)
Hey, the stop/halt thing can really help us moms too! We have to be creative and think through our teaching methods. I mean, how many different ways can I explain fractions? ugh. I used pictures/graphs/manipulatives/daddy/me/computer/white board games/prayer......
oh, and he eventually got it. It was the combo of mass amounts of different ways of teaching the same thing.
Can't wait to hear about the post on how well she's doing a few weeks from now....:) |
| Permanent Link |
Thursday, March 1, 2007 - hey. |
| Posted by jen@hm |
hey suzquz ;)
Yeah I know I haven't blogged in 4eva. Just haven't been inspired!
funny I just was rehashing the dividing w/ remainders with someone...oh yes it was my FIFTH grader, lol. And i'm just starting that with my almost 9yo too. If your dd needs more concrete examples/hands on for the concepts to stick then I recommend Making Math Meaningful. It's completely scripted too! But does take mommy time.
Then there's always MathUSee that I haven't personally used but heard about.
|
| Permanent Link |
Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by StillHisGirl |
My fourth grade daughter just didn't have her multiplication facts down very well at all a few months ago. A couple things that really helped us:
I ordered a Multiplication song CD off Amazon. She rolled her eyes, but it helped! Learning Wrap-Ups are great; lots of people say that is how their kids learned their tables. And I also found a book Ten Days to Multiplication (put out by Learning Wrap Up people). She'll get them eventually! |
| Permanent Link |
Monday, April 28, 2008 - Math |
| Posted by Anonymous |
Math-U-See is wonderful. It uses these "block" type manipulatives that are great. This program is listed in Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks. There is always road blocks along the way - don't give up - just find another path!
Good luck - rebecca |
| Permanent Link |
|
|
Times Tales
Little Bitty Baby Learns Greek
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Photo Sharing
Video Hosting - Upload Video - Photo Sharing
• frogiggie89
• TOSPUBLISHER
• ByHisGraceInColorado
• spunkyhomeschool
• spunkyjunior
• ClassicalEducation4Me
• leebenvic
• LaurieBluedorn
• KeepingtheHome
• RedHeadRyann
• JeannieFulbright
• eyecorn
• LaMereAcademy
• SBadgley
• DMalament
• MySmokyMtnHomeschool
• wardssward
• HSBCompanyBlog
• DandelionSeeds
• takingthechallenge
• tryoneverything
• SteveWalden
• drewsfamilytx
• MomToTwo
• jayfromcleveland
• MrsMiz
• TNMOMTOMANYBLESSINGS
• hmschlmomto2
•
• lullab14
• goodnews
• cappuccinosmom
• bensrib
• armoorefam
• KindredHeart
• wakeforestmommy
• Douglas
• Aligirl
• FaithfulGrace
• mommatolittleones
• Honeybee
• boo4baby
• JavaMama
• Pattycake
• hsmomof2
• iluvtheland
• Trish
• Confessor
•
• ccmmum
• TC
• prairieprimermom
• mommainoregon
• sagerats
• JennLovesJesus
• mctenpenny
• Janne
• Momof5littlewomen
• Happyhome
• mominpa
• Kristal
• Serenityel2
• quietcajun
• KimMC
• Amber
• Titus2v5
• DuctTapeDad
• whirlwind
• chickadee
•
•
• hsdazed
• MommyOAnna
• harvestmoon
• giggles3
• HeartForHome
• PreschoolersandPeace
• Suzie
• keldaris
• OreoSouza
• JeanaG
• jaminacema
• vibrantfaith
• HomeForHim
• Rebeca
• Oregon
• mizmunce
• Mileshouse
• Heidistjohn
• Fletch
•
• JudeThree
•
•
• EEEEMommy
• mom24boys
• 3menandalittlelady
• SandBetweenMyToes
• Jocelyndixon
• SuperAngel
• barbieheart
• WopandI
• MarlaMom
• amada
• Canadagirl
• RugbyHS
• SingingANewSong
• TrainUpAChild
•
• Dad2Three
• Edelweiss
• AHappyHome
• TwaddleMeNot
• gardensong
• servingtheKingofkings
• Angelheart
• my6davidsons
• jailkmess
• bassethound
•
• BChsMamaof3
• youngmommy
• katesty
• smokeybutter
• homeschoolhighlites
• ChrisBryant
• Brenda
• bookgirl
|
|
| 
