Student does well on standardized tests but failing in class

My understanding is that NLD children learn best with a highly verbal approach to math (rather than working with manipulatives, for example). I’m not sure how this would relate to his class or his after-school tutoring.

You might want to consider purchasing Classmate Algebra I for him to use at home. This is a computer CD program that uses short video clips, audio and visual solutions to problems, etc. The program is divided into subject areas, so it might be possible for you to use this program to supplement whatever topic is being worked on in class. I’m not positive this would work, as the program is designed to be worked through from beginning to end, but perhaps your son could use it that way also. A good thing about this program is that it breaks topics down into small units of information. Each lesson has a self-quiz, and you can print out extra problems if the child needs more work on a topic.

The website for this program is http://www.classmatemath.com. They prefer people to buy their online service, but the program is also available on computer CDs (which is what I would recommend). They recently upped their price to $150 per course, but you can still purchase it for about $89 by following the directions in this post: http://wtmboards.com/HSboardFeb06/messages/2989.html

If you have high-speed internet service, you can sign up for a two-day trial so your son could try out the program before you purchase.

Nancy

I’m just a mom who has read alot about NLD and has a child with many NLD traits. This is my first guess.

Is it possible that last year’s pre-algebra teacher was more verbose in explaining the math concepts allowing your son’s verbal skills to help him understand the math concepts and procedures? This year’s algebra teacher may not use as much language to explain the topics or may use extremely complex language which can loose NLD kids in a second. It may just be an incorrect fit for your child.

My child has teachers which he cannot understand very well because of their teaching style. The teacher is not a bad teacher, it is just a bad fit.

Would it be possible to see if last year’s pre-algebra teacher can explain a concept or two in algebra to see if your son understands?

My second guess. Algebra is much different from pre-algebra. (According to my child who is taking algebra this year) There are many more steps and procedures to remember. It is a more complex type of math.

These are just ideas off the top of my head.

Thank you both for your responses. Nancy, I’ll check out that website; at this point, I’m willing to try just about anything.

Always Wondering, I appreciate your insight. I’ve often wondered if the teaching style made the difference for him. I’ll have to do some investigating. I also hadn’t realized that there was such a difference between Pre-Alg and Alg I - it’s been a long time since I took either! ;-)

Thanks, again, to both of you!
Liz

Teaching style can make a ****huge**** difference. I spend most of my day figuring out which style a studnet needs and working with that.

One common difference in learning in math is whether somebody is “whole to part” or “part to whole” in how they learn the concepts. If you have a strong preference for one way, and the teacher has a strong preference for the other, you really can go from being in control and performing excellently to being confused and overwhelmed. (It doesn’t happen all that often, but of course AS/NLD is likely to put a kiddo far enough down that spectrum… tho’ I’d be curious as to which direction).

I work as a math tutor, and believe me he is not the only person to be lost in Algebra 1. Many things can go wrong, from poor teaching style to badly-organized textbooks to a gap in expectations between the two levels (one level is all about “helping” kids by spoon-feeding them, and the next is about high standards and independence — a recipe for collapse.)

I also personally meet nine out of ten criteria to be NLD, lack of directionality, no time sense, difficulty with reading social clues, etc etc — but I’m a math major! Yes it can be done, just need to get the skills all working together.

If you can get hiom a good math tutor, that can make all the difference in the world. A good algebra tutor will be a math major, NOT an elementary teacher who thinks she can cover the book with him. A good tutor will also be able to give al sorts of explanations, verbal and visual and concrete, and show him how they all tie together. Big centers are in general poor places to find someone like this; better to try your local college and your town or city websites.

It will take time to teach him the skills of algebra. You don’t expect a big change on the first test, just steady improvement over several months.

Hi Sue and Victoria, I’m so sorry — I just noticed your replies and want to thank you both for taking the time to respond. Teaching style definitely makes a difference for my son; I will have to work at finding the right tutor for him. Then we try to get him to buy into the extra work! I’m not sure which task will be the more difficult one! ;-)