Math frustration & missing recess

[Shandawn]

We are in the middle of a dillema here, I'll try & explain it best I can. My DD has a math LD along with the ADD & so she has to work very hard at math. Yesterday at the therapists office she told us (the therapist & I) that she has not had recess in a month because the math teacher is keeping her in to work on missing/incomplete math papers. Well, naturally, I wasn't very happy, as its my feeling that kids (ALL kids) need recess to unwind a bit & be better able to concentrate. At the same time, I want my DD to get the help she needs to pass 4th grade! She won't let me help her because she says I do the problems different & she doesn't want to get in trouble.
I went in this morning & talked to the math teacher (who also happens to be the principal--different story) and she says that she does not keep DD in EVERY day, but that this is the only free period she has to help her with math. She also related that she sees that my DD does know the process, but the problems take her SOOO long to do & she has problems remembering math facts.
I don't really know what I'm looking for here. Any suggestions would be appreciated but I guess I just needed to vent a bit & tell someone that would actually know what we're going through here. She missed 3 days of school due to illness & the make-up math papers had us fighting & reduced to tears!

[Mayleng]

This is not right. If she has a math LD, than she needs resource room help. She should not be missing recess for this. Does she have an IEP? If not request and evaluation. If she needs help with math, than she should be getting it "formally" in the resource room, not doing it during recess.

[Shandawn]

Mayleng, She goes to a private Lutheran school. They don't have to do IEP's & there is no resource room, although she does get math help from an independant Title I teacher 2x a week. Luckily, the school has been extremely willing to try any modifications I find & suggest & the teachers are pretty flexible. I'm sorry, I should have pointed out the private school aspect before.

[Mayleng]

Then there is really not much you can do legally but raise your concern with the teacher/principal.

[Shandawn]

Now that I'm thinking of it, It really seems unfair that the "No Child Left Behind" act doesn't cover private schools. I mean it says NO child, right? The public schools in my district are horrible & theres NO WAY I'll send her there, even for the benefits she could get for ADD & LD's. m*d

[Mayleng]

Yes it is unfair, but unless the school receives federal funding they are under no obligation to follow the NCLB.

[Shandawn]

Well, then I guess I'm pretty lucky that my DD's school will at least bend a bit & give her extra help. They really CARE about the students. Anyway, Thanks for the advice, it helped to just complain about it a bit!

[dmom32002]

First, they can do some accomodations for just
the math homework. I would suggest that you
recommend something like this.

1. If she has 30 things to do, that she does
15 - 20 of them. It can be every other one
or the ones the teacher picks.

2. Request that any timed test not be timed.

3. If there is memorization of add, subtract
multiplication or division. She is allowed to
have a chart.


If they use Saxon Math there are special sheets
for usage. See if you can get ahold of these.

When it comes to missing recess find another
way to do the homework.
ITs to important for the child.

donna

[Shandawn]

dmom, TY for the suggestions. Actually, they do them to some extent. Since talking to the math teacher, my DD is a little happier. The teacher agreed to keep her out of recess only 2 times a week. It is the only free period she has so I guess we can live with that. I explained to DD that if shes unwilling to let me help her, then that is the only recourse & she was happy enough to compromise (for now anyway).
By the way, what exactly is Saxon math? I looked it up but couldn't get a clear understanding.

[dmom32002]

Oh man you would ask what Saxon math is,
its what most of the public schools in my area
use now. I personally don't care for it for a special
needs child. But its something that you do one
side in lower grades at school and the other side
is homework. In the upper grades, its just both
sides started at school and its like a continuance
of the lessons from the beginning to were your
at. Not just one concept. THis is were Derrick
has the most trouble, he has no memory.

donna

[LurkNoMore]

I googled "saxon math" here's a link to the publisher's website. www.saxonpublishers.com/school/math/index.jsp

there are some on-line examples/tests etc. (on the left side of the page, click on your child's grade).

I may try some of the math drills with C...might be more fun for him then doing them on paper...I'll let you know how it works out.

[RobbysMom]

I work in a special needs classroom and we use Saxon math. I like it for my group of kids for the reason you gave -- the lessons are a continuance from the beginning to where they are now. I like the constant review, so the kids don't forget what they have learned.

[kc4braves]

Both schools we have been involved with use Saxon math. The first school only used through 2nd grade but i do like it that we use in 3rd here. If nothing else, it keep me informed on exactly what they are covering in school. The homework sheet, which is not required at his school, gives me an opportunity to review anything I see that he is missing.

Reviewing helps him alot in English/language but not always so much in math. We have been working on telling time and counting money since kindergarten and he still isn't good at either. I think his school does supplement the Saxon, though, because it seems to move along so slowly. Anyway, I think it has a place.

KAthy