SAT Prep for the Math Strategy-Challenged

I know I can't possibly be the only person to have just one go-to math strategy to employ when solving math problems, right?

[crickets]

Okay, maybe I'm in the minority, but somehow I doubt it. In short, I tend to take the long route to problem solving, going through all of the standard arithmetic, although I didn't realize how long a route it was until beginning Gruber's Complete SAT Guide with my daughter.



Granted, we haven't been using this book very long, but already, I feel like I've had my eyes opened to so much. There's no wonder I struggled with the math portions on my SAT, because even if I could do the math, the time allotment was too short for me. First I had to decipher the problem, determine what was being asked, block out everything else that was going on in the room (distraction is a BIG problem of mine), and then go through all of the steps, employing lots of arithmetic, before arriving at an answer. And then paranoid teenage me (some things never change), would still second-guess my answers, and would attempt to check and double-check. In short, it was a HUGE waste of time.

What's neat about Gruber's book is that it teaches multi-level approaches to solving problems. There's one example in the book using a very simple problem, and the author goes on to illustrate seven different ways to solve it. I found that in that problem, and in subsequent problems in the book, I kept resorting to the "Rote Memory Approach" to solving them. Not only is this the least creative way to solve problems, but it's often the most time-consuming. I just want to add here that this realization kind of ticked me off. In truth, it did. And not just because I was frustrated with myself, but with the fact that this sort of stuff just wasn't ever discussed when I was in high school. Half the time, I just tried to figure things out myself. And there was no Internet to help either! I do believe that there are just some mathematically gifted kids whose brains are wired in a way that makes creative problem solving more organic to them, but if you're not one of the lucky few (my son just happens to be one of them, lucky stiff), then it really helps to have someone, in this case a book, point these strategies out to you.

In any case, I just wanted to put this out there for anyone trying to decide on materials to use for SAT prep. I do want to add that I also purchased a few other resources, namely the College Board's Official SAT Guide, thinking that my daughter could work her way through that one with the help of the oh-so-awesome Khan Academy video series.

Spring Planning

First a quick update.

My daughter's blood tests turned up no problems! Deo gratias! A follow-up appointment with her eye doctor turned up that whatever she had in her eye, at least this last time, was possibly viral. She was prescribed a combination anti-inflammatory / antibiotic drop, and we saw a big improvement right away. Go figure. She had been prescribed an anti-inflammatory drop one other time, and then an antibiotic drop another time, but what she apparently needed all along was a combination of the two. The doctor still believes what she had the first time was episcleritis, but this last episode was different. As part of her 2nd follow-up visit (there were 3 total), she had her vision re-checked, and was taken through various eye testing stations. The verdict? Her eyes grew and her vision worsened. She needed new lenses for her glasses, and all in less than five months' time! She's over the moon with her new lenses though. Apparently, it's made quite a difference for her.

So, things are finally getting back to normal. School is coming along fine, but I've completely neglected to do all of my school planning for next year. I was so exhausted over worrying about everyone, and getting used to the increased exercise, that I just didn't get to it earlier. So today, I've been hitting the catalogs and message boards, seeking suggestions. The kids have expressed a desire to learn Korean, so my current task is finding adequate resources for that. I'm hoping for something they can use independently, as I cannot fathom my learning another language right now. Knowing myself however, I will no doubt partake, but possibly not regularly.

My son (10), has been really eager to learn Algebra lately. He's very driven and interested, so we're having lots of success with it. I started to use some of the Key to Algebra workbooks with him, but he's starting to get a bit impatient. He just wants to jump in whole hog. Thankfully, we already use Singapore Math, so what I've been doing is having him do his word problems twice--once using the Singapore method of drawing models, and once using Algebra. So far so good. Hindsight is 20/20. I should have done the same with my 14yo when she was using Singapore. I do often resort back to the pictorial method even now with her, particularly when faced with an especially difficult or confusing word problem. That usually does the trick in helping her understand. Now more than ever, I'm really and truly appreciating Singapore Math's methods. I'm seeing the big picture, and it makes sense. Better yet, it sticks.

I think the big challenges for me this coming year, will be how to handle the sciences, particularly for my high schooler, and find the right fit for Geometry. I did find that David Chandler, the man who put out the companion CD for Foerster's Algebra, also has a CD for Geometry. I haven't heard much about the main text he recommends, i.e., Geometry: A Guided Inquiry, by G.D. Chakerian, but I'm pretty much sold on this option based on the availability of Mr. Chandler's CD alone. The sciences are always challenging for me, especially at this level. I'm not convinced that we can get away with doing just paper labs. I noticed that some correspondence schools offer these "paper labs" in lieu of the more traditional labs most of us went through in high school, but I'm still not convinced they'd be adequate enough, even though my daughter doesn't plan on majoring in any of the sciences. We've done Chemistry this year, and bought a decent home lab kit for that. Next year however, I plan on Biology, and those labs, at least to my memory, were much more complex, particular in terms of supplies and specimen. My daughter is not exactly looking forward to having to do dissections, but I'm assuming these are still required, or at least encouraged, in most high schools. While our chosen order of science topics may seem odd to some, it made sense to me to start with Chemistry. I figured it would help in the understanding of Biochemistry later. I still believe this to be true, but I guess I'll know for sure when I get there.

Also on our list of supplies this year--a globe. Our old globe, at least a gazillion years old, was barely legible, and had already fallen off its base. It badly needs replacing. Also, the atlas and Google maps just aren't cutting it. I wanted a more tactile option, and it's my one back-to-basics purchase for this next year. It feels good to have a non-techy, basic, classic item on our list. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I'm still coming up with our literature selections, and I'm still on the fence over one elective. My daughter most certainly has a choice, but she's as indecisive as I am. I'm also looking into the Didache series for religion for next year, but we didn't start the series this year, and I wonder if it's something best done in order. It makes me all anxious to think that we will not be able to complete all four volumes.

The Joys of a Productive Day

While I love the holidays, it often takes us a bit longer than most to get fully back into the swing of things. But I'm glad to report, that we're officially back in business. Yesterday was possibly one of the most productive days we've had in weeks. Not only did I manage to keep everyone on task, but I managed to keep the apartment in order, make healthy (vs quick) meals, do three loads of laundry, and start planning for next year.

In other news, my 14 year old daughter, who had been considering trying high school last year, recently informed me that she no longer wants to go at all. I'd be jumping up and down with excitement, except she's been known to change her mind easily. And frankly, this propensity of hers to change her mind so readily, has been the biggest sticking point for me, in "allowing" her to go to school. "Allow" is not even the correct word to use here, as I've always maintained what I feel is an open-door policy with regard to where my children are educated. It's just that as a Mom, I could tell she was just thinking out loud regarding the going to school thing, perhaps even feeling me out on the issue. I want for her to understand that if she does go, she has to stick with it, for at least a year. If she was younger, I'd likely not have the "try-for-a-year" requirement, but at her age, and in high school, I think more time to test the waters would be more fitting. She has assured me (this week) that she feels that she no longer needs school, as her schedule is fairly busy now as it is. Last year, her schedule was much lighter, with only about 2-3 outside activities per week, and she felt a bit of a void of sorts. Now, that's not the case. So, I'm planning on her school stuff for next year, but between you and me, I'm not purchasing anything until August, just in case she changes her mind again--a likely scenario.

Tangentially related to the whole high school thing...

I just wanted to rave again about our Algebra program! Parents out there struggling over your Algebra options, I'd strongly encourage you to check out Foerster's Algebra I: Expressions, Equations, and Applications. Not only did it receive high marks at the Mathematically Correct site, but it can be done independently with the help of some really great supplements, such as David Chandler's Home Study Companion CD (available through Math Without Borders), and a very helpful full solutions manual you can purchase through Pearson. If the Mathematically Correct review doesn't sway you, I don't know what will, especially when you see how it ranks in relation to other programs in use out there! In general, I have my daughter watch the CD for the day's lesson, and then she goes on and does the corresponding exercise. I usually have her do just the evenly numbered problems, as several of the lessons are very lengthy, and save the odd numbered problems for use in quizzes. All I can say is that I am so very appreciative that these materials are out there. I certainly hope that I'm as fortunate in finding a Geometry program that works just as well for us.

Speaking of Geometry, I wonder if it is necessary to do Geometry first before jumping into Algebra II? I'm assuming that what is learned in Geometry may aid in understanding the material in Algebra II, but I cannot say for certain if that is the case. I'll have to add that to my list of things to research for next year.

Happy homeschooling, everyone!