Q: My teenager seems to have a mental block regarding negative numbers. No matter how many times we review this, or how many times she does well for a period of time, it seems she always ends up confused about them again. It's frustrating for me, because I'll think we've solved the problem and it will crop up again. She's beginning to think she just can't learn these, which I know is not true. Do you have some tips to help us deal with this?

Thank you!
Christine

A: One thing that may help is for her to design a number line on a a strip of card stock to use as a book marker in her math text. On the back of the number line book marker, ask her to copy (and work toward memorization for a quiz) the rules for manipulating negative numbers. She could then refer to it with each assignment.

You can find the rules and detailed explanations (with illustrations) at this great website: mathisfun.com. Click on "numbers and algebra" and look for "adding positive and negative numbers" and also "multiplying negative numbers."

Algebra requires some level of abstract thinking. Kids develop the ability to think abstractly at different ages. So, please encourage your daughter to keep trying; one of these days, it will just "click!" Also, encourage her to just memorize and apply the formulas, and not to get frustrated if she doesn't "understand."

It's kind of like memorizing a Bible verse. You can memorize John 3:16 and recite it when you're 5 years old, but it doesn't really make sense until later. Algebra can be the same way. Keep memorizing, using and practicing the formulas, and eventually, it will make sense. I honestly didn't "get it" when it came to algebra until I was 18 and in college. I was always able to earn a "B" in math, but that frustrated me, because I was an "A" student in everything else. So, I understand how she feels, and hope that she will remain confident in those subjects in which she excels, and pray for patience and understanding in those she doesn't.

I hope this helps! If I think of other tips, I'll add them soon.

Happy Home Schooling,
Mrs. Sherry

Q: Help! What can I do to help my child memorize math facts? We're way behind.

A: The keys to memorization are repetition of small bits of information at a time, and variety in presentation. Here are some tips and techniques to try:

1. Work on math facts by families. Sometimes seeing a relationship between numbers makes it all come together.
Example: 3+4=7, 4+3=7, 7-3=4, 7-4=3

2. Find a good CD with the facts set to music. It might be a little corny (especially for older kids), and they might think it's uncool, but it often works! There are some newer versions, including rap, that might go over better with your kids. Play the CD every time you're in the car.

3. Practice skip counting by 2's through 12's (introduce just one number to count by at a time). Make and post a long number strip to use initially; encourage your child to find patterns. After a week of daily practice, cover every other number. Finally, require your student to recite and/or write the numbers without help. Do 10's, then 5's, then 2's; proceed to 11's, 3's, 4's, 6's, 7's, 9's and 12's.

4. Using flash cards and timed drills are oldies but goodies. The key for the student who's behind is to use just a few at a time, and build upon what he learns. Going through a whole stack of flash cards he doesn't know, or putting a whole page of math facts in front of him that he doesn't know and setting a timer will only lead to stress and frustration for both of you.

5. Use games to manipulate numbers. Here are some simple ones to try: roll two dice. Add, subtract, multiply or divide the two numbers rolled. OR... Play a regular game of dominoes. When the game is over, ask your child to add, subtract, multiply or divide the number of dots on each domino as he picks them up to put them away. There are also lots of computer games out there; if he enjoys them, let him use them!

6. Allow him to use a calculator to check his work, but not to do his work initially.

7. If he's really behind, take a break from the curriculum once per week, or for a pre-determined period of time, and devote an entire math period to facts practice.

8. Post a "fact of the day" or "fact of the week." Make it fun. Ask your student to solve the problem, and then use the answer to determine the number of blocks to build a tower, the number of M&M's he gets to eat, or the number of push-ups he does for P.E., etc.
Again, repetition is key. If you use the same problem every day for a week, he'll remember the answer because of the activities he associates with it.

Keep at it, and you'll see progress. Math was a challenging subject for me, and I didn't memorize the multiplication table until I was through the sixth grade. I did, however, with the help of a great teacher, get an "A" in my first college level math class! Now I even enjoy teaching math, and find that I can usually help the troubled student because I've been there myself.

So, there is hope even for those of us who take a little longer. Hang in there! Don't allow the frustration you feel to stress everyone out; keep it positive, and focus on the effort and the successes.

Happy Home Schooling,
Mrs. Sherry

If you live near the Des Moines, Iowa, area, don't miss out on the "Motivation 101" Make and Take Workshop coming up through Home School Solutions next month. To register or request more information, you may select "comment" at the bottom of this blog message, then send your contact information to me by selecting "private" when you finish your message. Neither your message nor your contact information will appear on the public post if you select "private." If you are a member of HEED, you will be able to find location and other details on the HEED forum.

If you do not live in the Des Moines, Iowa, area and would like more information about Home School Solutions "Make and Take" workshops for your mid-west home school group, again, click on "comments" and send a private message with your contact information.

Motivation 101 Make and Take Workshop

When: Monday, January 15, 7:00 PM
Who: Busy moms who want to steer their children or teens toward self-motivation and excellence; primarily a home school focus, but all moms are welcome; we'll be busy, so please plan to leave children at home with dad or a sitter.
What: Learn the differences between bribery and motivational rewards, threats and consequences. Discover how to overcome road blocks to motivation including perfectionism, failure to plan, and failure to follow through. Learn to use milestones as motivators, and be encouraged to use "pre-motivation" strategies to develop godly character in the hearts of your children. Following the seminar portion, participants will be able to create motivational tools to use the next day in their homes. No crafty skills required; all supplies provided!
Class Size: Limited; spots still open
Registration: Required by Thursday, January 11.

In December, I enjoy departing from my prescribed curriculum a little to celebrate the season. As promised, here are some more ideas to use during advent.

Choose a list of Christmas words for your student that's appropriate to his/her reading level (see suggested lists below). Use the words for spelling, vocabulary, journal prompts, bulletin board or learning activities.

Sample Primary Activity: Purchase a small notebook or mini-scrapbook with blank pages; or, print a mini blank book from billybear4kids.com (click on "tiny titles"). Provide your child with a list of words and colored pencils. Ask your child to copy the word, then illustrate it to create a Christmas picture dictionary. My 5 year old LOVES to do this (and we don't stick to level one words; I do provide a word list, but he may choose any holiday word he thinks of, and I help him spell it correctly). I adapt this project for my three year old by giving her a Christmas sticker for each page; she chooses a colored pencil and I write the words for her. She loves "reading" her book to Daddy at the end of each day. These can be beautiful keepsakes!

Sample Intermediate Activities: Assign your student to complete one or more of the following activities:
1. Write a holiday journal entry (fictional story or reflective essay) using at least 10 holiday words; underline the words in red or green as you use them. If desired, ask your student to edit and create a final draft to illustrate and share.
2. Create a word puzzle (crossword or seek and find) using 10 words. NOTE: You can find an AWESOME free online puzzle maker at http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com. (You can also find holiday word lists and other themed vocabulary lists among other free teaching tools there.)
3. Alphabetize your word list.
4. Look up and write out dictionary definitions for selected words.


Level 1
hat
elf
bell
hill
gift
trim
ball
star
tree
red
green
yellow
gold
Jesus

Level 2
angel
Santa
lights
advent
stable
manger
bow
merry
Mary
Joseph
wisemen
sheep
holly
ivy
sugarplum
nutcracker
elves
presents
stocking
candle
carols
snow
snowflake
ice
candy cane
tidings
joy
Christmas
Frosty
mittens
scarf
gloves
boots
snow pants

Level 3
yuletide
carolers
ornaments
holiday
tinsel
icicle
gingerbread
awe
festivities
glistening
mistletoe
decorate
splendor
wreath
bough
joyous
glorious
reindeer
Rudolph

Level 4
hallelujah
Emmanuel
Incarnation
Nativity
Bethlehem
frankincense
generosity
Messiah
myrrh
prophecy
salvation
creche
Epiphany

Hanukkah Words
menorah
dreidel
gelt
latkes

Please let me know if I've forgotten any good words!

Happy Home Schooling!
Mrs. Sherry

Q: My daughter is a seventh grader this year. What recommendations do you have for us as we prepare for high school during her eighth grade year?

A: I'm so glad you're thinking about high school before your daughter starts eighth grade. Here are some basic tips to get you headed in the right direction.

1. Get a good grasp on the laws for your state regarding high school education including the number and type of credit hours required to graduate. You can find help at the [[Home School Legal Defense Association: http://hslda.org]] or you can do a Google search for your state's high school graduation requirements. You will also want to investigate the admissions requirements of a few colleges in which your child might be interested. Sometimes admissions requirements are different for home school students.

2. If you aren't associated with a good network of home school families, or don't know another family who has already graduated a student, NOW is the time to network and connect with a mentor who can walk you through the next few years. Having a relationship with a good high school teacher or home school supervising teacher can also be a big help.

3. Treat 8th grade as your "last best chance." If there's any remediation that needs to be done, do it now. If there are any gaps in your child's education, fill them now. (I actually recommend doing this in seventh grade.)

4. Treat 8th grade as a trial run for high school. Keep grades and other records like you will for high school. Prepare a transcript. If you plan to use a video curriculum for high school, try it out in the eighth grade. If you think you might use a local co-op for science classes, sit in on a few classes first and preview the text books. Eighth grade is the year for the learning curve; make your mistakes now, and correct them before you officially start high school.

5. Plan with the end in mind. For example, don't spend time running back and forth to four music lessons a week if your child has no interest in studying music in college. Ask your child to choose her ONE favorite instrument to study, then she will have her time freed to study those things that will be most helpful as she prepares for her next phase of education. (This same principle can be applied to dance classes, sports, or anything else that eats away at your academic time.) Or, if your child wants to become a missionary, language, Bible and cultures studies should be given priority. Design a curriculum that fits your child's future as best you can discern it at this time.

6. Think through your options. You may want to do a little study regarding the following: traditional home study, correspondence courses, options for dual enrollment (at a public or private school for extra curriculars, sports, music or general education courses), advanced placement courses at home or at a school (AP courses), video courses, local high school co-ops, and on-line options for high school or college studies. Choose the route (or create a custom combination) that's best for your child's learning style and will lead to her accomplishing her goals.

7. Consider how long your child will need to complete her high school education, then design a course schedule to fit her needs and the anticipated time frame. Determine now (but remain flexible) what classes she will take each year in each subject area. Perhaps your child is highly motivated and could finish high school in three years. She could then devote one year to working in an internship, doing missions work and/or completing community college course work. Or, she could enroll in the college of her choice a year early. Think through the advantages and disadvantages of early graduation. The main thing is to PLAN AHEAD and WRITE DOWN YOUR PLAN.

A book I recommend to all of my pre-high school parents is Home Schooling High School by Jeanne Gowen Davis by Emerald Books Press. It's the most comprehensive book I've found to prepare students for college admission. The link to the right for Oklahoma Home School also has some of my favorite high school resources and sample documents.

One note: For above average to advanced students, I typically recommend only two years of "middle school." I've found, over and again, that three years at this level is often a waste of time. So, for those of you who can take this option, you would need to follow my advice for eighth grade during your second (and final) year of middle school preparation.

As your child enters high school, there are additional areas for consideration:
1. College prep testing (ACT/SAT)
2. Scholarship availability
3. College admissions essays
4. CLEP tests for college level credit
Just keep these things in mind as you begin.

I'll add comments soon regarding adapting high school plans for at-risk students and students who do not plan to attend college. Also, look for tips about home school students taking college courses during their high school years in upcoming blogs.

If you have more specific questions, I'd love to hear them!

Happy Home Schooling!
Mrs. Sherry