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Your son or daughter has word problems for science homework. How do you help your children become successful word problem solvers? Help your child by developing a process that he can apply to a variety of problems. Recognize that effectively completing word problems requires a series of logical steps. The first strategy is to understand the language content of the problem. The second is recognizing that a science word problem is an application of algebra. Third, the values described in the problem are interconnected. Fourth, determine the appropriate algebraic equation for the problem. Finally, document the entire problem solving process.
1. Successfully completing science word problems requires good reading comprehension skills. Word problem solvers cannot effectively complete the word problem without understanding the problem itself. What information in the problem is important to solving an equation? What information can be discarded? Distance, time and speed are important quantities that would be listed in a problem about a car’s speed. The color of the car would have no impact in solving the problem.
2. Word problems in science are applications of algebraic expressions, or equations. Good word problem solvers distinguish between the givens in the problem and the value which is to be calculated. The givens always include both numbers and units. The value to be calculated only has a unit. The unit describes the measurement involved.
3. Successful science word problem solvers see how the mathematical expressions in the statements are interconnected to each other. How would such a problem solver complete this example?
Sam drives her green car at 40 kilometers per hour. How far will she travel in 2 hours?
A good strategy to use is to first look for numbers combined with science-related terminology describing measurements, or what is given, or known, in the problem. Speed can be measured in kilometers per hour. Time can be measured in hours. The phrases, 40 kilometers per hour and 2 hours, are given, or are the known quantities, in the example. The speed and the time are interconnected. Speed is a ratio of distance and time. The word problem will also include a value without a number, or the unknown. The phrases “How many” or “How much” or “What is” are good clues to this value. The unknown quantity is distance, distinguished by the phrase, “how far”.
The color of her car, green, is irrelevant to solving the problem.
4. Successful problem solvers determine the appropriate algebraic expression, or equation, for the problem. The appropriate equation to use for the example is: distance equals speed multiplied by time, or mathematically, d = speed * t. Now the problem is mathematical in nature. By substituting 40 kilometers per hour for speed and 2 hours for time, the problem solver gets an answer of 80 kilometers. Note that the answer includes both a number and a unit. Sometimes the equation needs to be rewritten by applying algebraic rules, so the unknown quantity is on one side of the equals sign all by itself.
5. Successful problem solvers document their thinking process by writing out each step that he uses to solve the problem. The example above is rather basic, which most students can discover without writing out their work. Science word problems are also applications of science content. With more challenging science content, the corresponding word problems may, at first, seem too difficult. Breaking down the problem into simpler steps, which includes writing out the mathematical work, often helps create success. By writing down each given, unknown, equation, mathematical step, and answer, more challenging science word problems are less difficult. By first applying the problem solving process to basic problems, the successful problem solver will soon develop a method to apply to more difficult science word problems.
You can help your children develop a successful process that they can use to solve science word problems and become effective word problem solvers. First, understand the problem’s language content. Second, recognize that science word problems are applications of algebra. Third, the quantities used in problems are interconnected. Fourth, decide upon the appropriate algebraic equation to solve each problem. Finally, document the problem solving process.
Lorie Moffat has 20 years of teaching experience in both public school classroom and science museum settings. Contact her about special summer online tutoring packages.
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I think I am going bald because my hair is thinning. Maybe it is because I am not as young as I used to be or MAYBE it is because I am pulling it all out as my daughter tries to master algebra. Yikes!
I hated algebra when I was in school, it gave me math anxiety, and we didn’t even begin learning about it until high school. Now, kids are introduced to algebra in elementary school. It’s probably just me, but I think that elementary is way too young to attack a subject that is a bit abstract. O.K., all you super genius algebra lovers don’t hate me because I think algebra is abstract. I am very black and white, so it does a number on me.
My daughter works better when she goes at her own pace. Online algebra will most likely work for her, especially since she doesn’t always like to learn from me, plus she feels like she is more in control of the lessons. That’s fine with me…whatever it takes to get the job done without me having to explain what X is and how you get the answer. Maybe my hair will start growing back in so I don’t have to order the Joan Rivers hair coloring stick thingy. Wish me luck!
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 Did you know food and learning math go together? We are going to use items in your kitchen to make learning math FUN.
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Have your child use gumdrops or marshmallows and toothpicks to create geometric shapes.
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Use pretzel sticks, popsicle sticks, toothpicks, and straws for addition, subtraction, and tally marks.
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Use pies, Hershey's chocolate bars, and pizza to teach the concept of fractions.
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Have your child use Teddy Grahams or Goldfish for counting activities. Tell stories while your child uses these objects to act it out, such as “There were a school of ten fish and three fish swam away. How many are left?”
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Use small objects, such as beans, raisins, and Cheerios, for counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In addition to these skills, you can use Skittles and M&M’s to create patterns.
There are even books that combine food and math! Here are two of my favorites:
The M&M's Counting Book by Barbara McGrath is the tastiest counting book yet! This yummy little counting book teaches the numbers 1 - 12, colors of the M&M's chocolate candies, and three primary shapes: the circle, square, and triangle. Hungry learners are rewarded in the last section of the book, where they learn simple subtraction by eating the manipulatives, twelve M&M's. The review page at the end ties it all together and reinforces newly learned concepts and skills.
To balance the sweets with something healthier, Apple Fractions by Jerry Pallotta uses a variety of different apples to teach children all about fractions. Playful elves demonstrate how to divide apples into halves, thirds, fourths, and more. This innovative and enjoyable book allows children to understand fractions at a concrete level.
Tamara Chilver is an elementary teacher, home educator, speaker, author of Homeschooling with TLC in the Elementary Grades and Tutoring Your Elementary Child with TLC, and creator of the television program Flip Your Family. Tamara’s approach gives parents teaching tools to enhance their children's education and empowers them with confidence. For more teaching tips, visit TeachingWithTLC.com. Article Source
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If you struggled with Math at all when you were growing up, you probably don't feel adequate to teach home school Math. The truth is, though, that we use Math all the time in our day and you can use those opportunities to share Math with your children. Help your children develop a love for math using these tools:
1. Play games - Card games and board games are great tools to use to teach number concepts. You don't have to say anything about numbers or math, just play the game and have fun.
2. Use your time in the kitchen to work with numbers. Have your children count silverware, cut pizza into fractions, measure liquids and solids in a recipe, skip count items that come in packs, subtract items from a group as you eat them, and count anything else that they may see there.
3. Show them in daily life how math affects them. Show them how to look at a calendar and count the days until a special day. When they receive money help them know the value of the coins or dollars and show them how to count it. You can even divide the money into different envelopes with them.
4. Teach them that counting by one is not the only way to count. They can use skip counting to count by twos, threes, fours, fives and more. We have made up our own skip counting songs with popular children's songs that we know. Now my 6 year old knows how to skip count by two, three, four, five and six, not because he is a super intelligent child, but because those numbers have been put to music in a fun way.
5. Read books that enforce math concepts. Books like "How Much is A Million" and "How Much is a Billion" can show children how enormous numbers can be in a fun and entertaining format. For younger children there are many counting books that you can get from the library that teach them about numbers.
6. Use the calculator to show them how large numbers are added. They certainly need to know how to do the basic concepts of math operations, but they can also have fun using a calculator occasionally for large numbers.
Use as many senses as possible to teach math. Different children will understand certain concepts of math using different methods than others. You can use workbooks, manipulative, math games, real life, computer software, and more. Attitude is everything. If you have a positive attitude about Math, then they will be more likely to accept that attitude.
Do you want to know more about homeschool Math? Download the free homeschool eBooks How to Find the Best Homeschool Resources or How to Get Started with Homeschooling at http://www.homeschool-how-to.com/free-homeschool-ebooks.html
Heidi Johnson enjoys helping people find resources to simplify and improve their lives.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heidi_Johnson
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Logarithm, synthetic division, rational function, interquartile range, parabola, scalar, contrapositive, apothem, postulate… Is your head spinning yet? These are only a sampling of eighth grade math vocabulary terms a student must master in order to effectively apply them to math principles. It’s also important to know these term in order to begin transitioning into high school, not to mention how crucial they are to passing TAKS, CRCT, or whatever test your state requires.
I will just be frank with you, I don’t remember learning half the terms eighth grade students are required to know and apply today. I think we expect more of students earlier and earlier these days. I don’t agree that it is always good either. Lots of kids are just not ready when schools introduce some concepts, yet they are forced to continue in what is sometimes so abstract for them. I know that is what happened to me in middle school. It wasn’t until later that I was able to handle most abstract thinking in math.
It doesn’t matter if middle school kids are a product of public school, private school, or if they are homeschool middle school kids, most of the curriculum available today will at least expose children to terms they are not familiar with. Don’t allow frustration to set in. Head it off by having them play online math vocabulary games to learn or reinforce terms for algebra, data & statistics, and geometry. The kid will thank you while they have a bit of fun, I know I sure would have back in the day!
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Since, I had some pictures of my children doing math today and it happened to be their Teaching Textbook math. I thought the title should have Teaching Textbooks in it.
Brent, completed a few lessons today. I was really excited for him. I told Brent, I'd give him a candy if he did a lesson. He was already done with school, that's why the offer of a candy  .
I sat with Ethan, today. We did his math together. I wanted to use our rods to show him ten and ones.
His lesson included finding the days of the week. He still remembers them in order but thought it might help when there was a question like "Which day is between Monday and Wednesday?" or "What day is it three days after Tuesday?"
Joshua, we only have the book.
I started Josh on Chapter 3 Simple Multiplication and Division. I read the lectures from lessons 13-17. Joshua is going to work only the multiplication and division problems.
This book (TT6) was Annette's. She has completed lessons 8-25, so I'm erasing what Josh, will use.
That was our first day with three children using Teaching Textbooks.
The kids will work through the summer with math. This is one subject that I don't let slide during summer time. I don't mean the children have to do math every. single. day but at least three times a week (maybe four)
This post was transferred from www.homeschooling6.com. Click on the link to read more about our school days 
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Making those final decisions for next year. I was almost 100% sure I'd use Bob Jones Math 3 for Ethan, next year but now I'm thinking maybe I'll go with Teaching Textbooks 3. I like that Ethan, can use the computer to get math done. This will free me for Lance, my last little guy. Poor thing seems to get ignored school-wise these days.
Next years scoop on math:
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Joshua, Bob Jones Math 7 via Distance Learning (DVDs)
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Annette, Saxon Math 7/6 with Art Reed DVDs
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Caleb, Bob Jones Math 5 via DVDs
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Brent, Bob Jones Math 4, mom teaching.
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Ethan, Teaching Textbooks 3 via online (Cd) or Bob Jones Math 3 with mom teaching him.
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Lance, Bob Jones 1 or Saxon Math 2 and DreamBox Learning.
All children will continue to use Math Rider and/or Math-Whizz or DramBox. The four older using Math Whizz and the two younger using DreamBox.
With teaching six children I need all the help I can get. Having the option to use the computer or dvds is a huge help. Especially when I am trying to teach little ones how to read and spell, teaching the older ones more formal grammar and writing skills.
Of course I'll be there to help when the children need me. Currently there are times when they don't 'get' something from Math Whizz, so I'll sit and go through a lesson with them to help them understand (I try so hard not to over explain 
Blessings,
Linda
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Math was never an easy subject for me in school. It didn’t seem to matter how much I tried I never seemed to understand what the teacher wanted and I dreaded when we worked out problems on the board, I always made a mistake and the other children always snickered or had hurtful comments to make. The teachers always seemed at a lost of what to do to help me or any other student who could not keep up with the schedule they had written down at the beginning of the school year. I didn’t want my own children to experience the dread of learning math; determining that things would be different for them I came up with some tips and now I hope that these suggestions might offer help and guidance if you know a child who struggles with their math skills.
My first tip: Make sure that your child has a breakfast before they start their day. Research has shown that your child will be more ready to learn if their nutritional needs are meet. It is hard to concentrate on learning anything if their belly is rumbling with hunger.
2nd tip: Introduce the history of math to your child, when certain math inventions were made and by whom, what were the circumstances or need for the invention. How is math used through out the world.
3rd tip: Make a game of learning facts. There are a lot of math games that will help your child enjoy learning, helping with the fundamental facts that they will need to know. Using games reduces the stress of the learning process and makes learning fun and not so boring nor intimidating.
4th tip: Use math in real life situations. Take the facts that your child is learning and bring it into situations that your child is in every day. When cutting a pizza talk about the fractions you are making. If they are making a purchase show them how to figure tax into the price. How many cookies will they need for each of their friends to have two? These can be ways to use math in their every day lives.
5th tip: Use visual aids or manipulatives when teaching math. For some children using visual aids can be the catalysis between understanding and not understanding the concepts that are being taught. As your child learns the skills they will become less dependent on the manipulatives.
6th tip: Using food to teach math concepts. Weather it be candy, cereal, popcorn or pizza simple math facts are easy to manipulate so concepts can be seen. This also puts the child at ease which helps make the learning easier.
7th tip: When learning math there are many patterns but sometimes those are hard for a child to see. Pointing out these patterns can making math easier, this can be done using manipulatives such as money. Also helping the child to memorize the patterns such as 2s, 4s, 5s, 6s, 8s, 10s and working up from there.
8th tip: Use music and songs to help your child with memorizing math facts. This tip was used by each of my children. They sang their way through their multiplications tables, square roots and there is even are even little ditties that help in Algebra and Geometry.
9th tip: Mix it up. Use different medias when learning and doing math; computer software, worksheet pages, time races, are all great ways to keep learning varied which will help the student from being bored and help with the learn process.
10th tip: The buddy system is a great way to learn math facts. Kids can sometimes explain things to each other so they understand it better then any adult can. Plus as they help each other learn solidifies the facts for each child.
As you read over these tips I hope that you see at least one or two that you could implement to help make math fun for your own child.
Shawn Snyder is a WAHM with 3 grown children and a loving hubby who gives her the freedom to follow her dreams. She has an online business selling personalized children’s products. And a passion about raising the next generation of adults with love, respect and some good old fashion work ethic. Visit her blog at The Odd Couple Blog. Article Source
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