opinions on online math resources?

[Minmin]

My 8-year-old 3rd grader is having some difficulty with math and some difficulty focusing. I would appreciate any opinions and experiences with Kumon, Huntington Learning Center, or Beestar online math. I heard Beestar is good. Does anyone know about Beestar? Give me some suggestions for at-home to help her.

Thank you.

 

[sk!mom]

In all honesty, I would address the difficulty focusing first (pediatrician or pediatric psychiatrist). Once that is addressed, look into math helps. If she can’t focus, no reason to spend money on math programs that she can’t attend to.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I don't know those programs specifically, but any time a kid is struggling in school, part of my advice is to try to figure out how they learn best - do they remember things better if they see rather than hear them? put them to music? involve movement? etc. - Then help them "translate" the material into the "language" that works best for them.

Times tables, for example, can be practiced to the old Schoolhouse Rock songs, or by bouncing a basketball, or writing them in rainbow colored pens, or with your finger on a tray of shaving cream (or sprinkles) or writing them in chalk on the driveway and jumping on them... Whatever matches the way the child naturally interacts with the world.

 

[snowwite]

I don't know those programs specifically, but any time a kid is struggling in school, part of my advice is to try to figure out how they learn best - do they remember things better if they see rather than hear them? put them to music? involve movement? etc. - Then help them "translate" the material into the "language" that works best for them.

Times tables, for example, can be practiced to the old Schoolhouse Rock songs, or by bouncing a basketball, or writing them in rainbow colored pens, or with your finger on a tray of shaving cream (or sprinkles) or writing them in chalk on the driveway and jumping on them... Whatever matches the way the child naturally interacts with the world.

My daughter had a teacher who recommended using colored pens and it worked!

 

[Smugpugmug]

My parents sent me to Kumon when I was an early preteen and it was my personal hell. I have ADHD (which was undiagnosed until I was college aged) and Kumon did nothing to help me with math since you are put into a room with other kids and are doing independent work vs. having 1 on 1 time with a tutor. I could not focus on that work at all and felt that it didn't help me, especially since I struggled with the worksheets. Whatever you couldn't finish in the sessions was "homework" which was basically everything for me since you didn't really get help if you were confused on something. I ended up getting a math tutor for middle school and junior high as I really needed that 1 on 1 help. I agree with PollyannaMom in trying to find out the way your kid learns best. Not every kid learns in the same way.

 

[barkley]

In all honesty, I would address the difficulty focusing first (pediatrician or pediatric psychiatrist). Once that is addressed, look into math helps. If she can’t focus, no reason to spend money on math programs that she can’t attend to.

I don't know those programs specifically, but any time a kid is struggling in school, part of my advice is to try to figure out how they learn best - do they remember things better if they see rather than hear them? put them to music? involve movement? etc. - Then help them "translate" the material into the "language" that works best for them.

very good advice.

i'm not saying your dd has any kind of a learning disability but finding out the best manner of learning for a student of ANY age is SO beneficial. my youngest DOES have learning disabilities and when we finally learned the best manner for him to learn it was the difference of night and day. the younger this can be determined the better b/c then learning doesn't become a struggle and something a kid dreads dealing with.

p.s. with my oldest (no learning disabilities-just struggled a bit in the younger grades) we looked into kumon. as a former teacher i was not a fan of their methods so we passed on it. funny thing is i recently read that there's a current wave of former kumon students about my oldest's age (28) that are flooding social media with negative memories of their experiences.

p.p.s. smugpugmug posted while i was typing mine up so....

 

[MillauFr]

I always used the Khan Academy YouTube videos.

 

[Caseheidi]

I agree with looking into their focusing issues first. My DD 14 is also having focusing issues and we are addressing them with her doctor.

Other ideas that might not be so stressful and could give her math experience is looking into some of the math games. Prodigy is a popular one for that age, and give math experience while they are having fun playing the game. It could help keep and tone some of their math skills during the summer break.

We have also done some of the Khan math, and found them good.

Good luck. I know it is frustrating, but sometimes it just takes a little time and kids will get it. And sometimes they never do. Hope you find something that works.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Kahn Academy is really good IMO & free.

Sal Kahn started the free program to help a relative and it just caught on, I find him to be an easy person to listen to and a good teacher, the range in his program is extraordinary from the smallest basics to really advanced topics. He helps parents remember long ago forgotten things, helped my kids catch up if they missed school from being out sick & was useful as just a supplement. We never paid for anything & did this instead. My kids school district had a program they paid for and worked with for extra though, I would check with the school before going on your own.

 

[sk!mom]

My parents sent me to Kumon when I was an early preteen and it was my personal hell. I have ADHD (which was undiagnosed until I was college aged) and Kumon did nothing to help me with math since you are put into a room with other kids and are doing independent work vs. having 1 on 1 time with a tutor. I could not focus on that work at all and felt that it didn't help me, especially since I struggled with the worksheets. Whatever you couldn't finish in the sessions was "homework" which was basically everything for me since you didn't really get help if you were confused on something. I ended up getting a math tutor for middle school and junior high as I really needed that 1 on 1 help. I agree with PollyannaMom in trying to find out the way your kid learns best. Not every kid learns in the same way.

Exactly why you should address the focusing issue first.

 

[PollyannaMom]

...looking into some of the math games. Prodigy is a popular one for that age

My friend's son mentioned playing that when I asked about school! He seemed to love it.

 

[nyy]

I am a third grade teacher. My advice is to talk to your child's teacher, if you have not done so already.
They can give you insight into many of the suggestions already mentioned by others, including attention and focus.
They can also tell you if your child is struggling with the concepts and applications of math or if they are struggling with things like fact fluency. The strategies to address these would not be the same.
You should absolutely try to find what works for your child and also strive for a balance of what is already being done in school.
Unless you are a home schooler seeking opinions on these programs? I can't tell exactly by your post.

I do not have any experience with the programs that you have specifically asked about.

 

[barkley]

Times tables, for example, can be practiced to the old Schoolhouse Rock songs,

it's almost 4 in the morning, i've got insomnia and now i have the 'figure 8' song from schoolhouse rock running over and over in my head

 

[unrequited23]

Graph paper is really helpful when working with place value and multiplication/area. There was a stretch where I would need to be at the table with my oldest vs making diner/putting away dishes to keep him on track. I wouldn't be actively helping him, but doing other activities at the table like paying bills, making grocery lists, reading, playing wordle unlimited. I found Zearn to be a nice balance of instruction, practice and fun elements. My kids love Prodigy, but spend more time customizing their character & load outs than doing actual math.

 

[livih99]

I definitely recommend Kahn Academy. It's free, has resources for all different levels and types of math and has written resources, videos and practice problems so there is help for different types of learners