More on math....

 Well, I have had a "Thunderbolt Moment" regarding math. I will share that in a bit but first I want to share a little of what I have learned in my research (not that any of you care to know but I will remember better if I write it out :o). My research indicates that there are 2 primary methods/types of math curriculum available. There is the Spiral method and the (forgive me here I can't remember exactly what it is called) Mastery method.  When the Spiral method introduces new math concepts it only has the student practice a few of the new problem at a time, actually of any of any given type of problem at a time. For instance, if the new concept is carrying then the student is given maybe 6 of these problems to practice. The rest of the page is filled with various problems the child has learned in the past and there is never more than about 10 problems of each. With the Mastery method a child is given a new concept and given many problems of the same type. There is little repetition of  old concepts. Each method has it's "selling points". The Spiral method, which is found in ABeka, Horizons, etc....., is loved for it's emphasis on review so that the child doesn't forget and for the reason that kids are less likely to get frustrated and bored because there is so much variety on each page. The Mastery method, which is found in Saxon, Singapore, etc....., is loved for it's emphasis on making sure the child masters each new concept before moving on.  They often have reviews every so many weeks to make sure the student still remembers the mastered skills.  There are many variations in each group some of which are  heavy on manipulatives, video interaction, games, etc.... and you will find that people tend to either love or hate them.But, as LEAT pointed out in the comments on my last post, each child is different and what works for 1 may not work for another.
    Now for my "Thunderbolt moment" :o)  As I was assessing what about our math program I was unhappy with and why I didn't think it was a good fit, it occurred to me that the problem was not the program. J is not struggling in math, she is doing quite well even BUT she is frustrated. I finally realized the frustration was not with the type of math, with the program we have used, or with the difficulty of it. Her frustration is because I am so limited in how I can help her with school. Because of my current health issues, I am not able to sit with her, be in the same room the while she is working, or go to her when she needs help. When she has a question or a problem she has to come to me. That may seem small but my girl is very social and does her work best and fastest when I/someone is near. I think the stress of our current situation is wearing on her too. School is much less structured and consists of fitting in the bare necessities whenever we poss can.  Anyhow, I may still change brands but probably only if the other comparable one is cheaper than what we got this year.  Being able to really look at the root of our frustrations has really helped me be less frustrated with the math we are using.