Math supplementation

[Anonymous]

Both my kids attend Mathnasium but we have mixed feelings about it. They are both in advanced math with FCPS but I wouldn't say they are passionate about it. I've heard good things about AoPS on this website but only if your kid excels in math and really loves it. So I am not sure that would be a good fit either. Any suggestions? Keep giving Mathnasium a chance? I think having a solid in depth background in math is important.

[Anonymous]

We gave AoPS a go this year and DS has been loving it. I have to say, I was surprised. I didn't think he would enjoy almost 2 hours of additional class and then homework but he does. The approach is different and it moves more quickly. He is learning a ton and is excited about participating.

You do not have to sign up for a year, you can sign up for a quarter and see if your kids like it. If they do, you will be automatically charger for the next quarter. If they don't, you can withdraw them.

Be careful with what class you choose because you are not suppose to change classes due to other conflicts. We choose a class on Sunday because we knew that DS would not have any baseball or basketball games on Sunday. It will occasionally conflict with Scouts, when he has camp outs, but it was the best fit.

[Anonymous]

What grade are your kids in?

[Anonymous]

Is AOPS in person or virtual?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What grade are your kids in?

What grade?
If your kids are in elementary, you are wasting money on those classes when you can teach them yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If your kids are in elementary, you are wasting money on those classes when you can teach them yourself.

Don't knock them until you've tried them. The approach is completely different for AoPS than any regular math supplementation program. Also, some kids learn better in a class with other kids and a teacher than they do with their parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is AOPS in person or virtual?

Currently virtual, but generally both. Pre and post-covid, they had and will have in-person classes in Vienna (near Tysons). Currently, the classes are over zoom. There are also permanent virtual classes for those who prefer virtual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If your kids are in elementary, you are wasting money on those classes when you can teach them yourself.

Don't knock them until you've tried them. The approach is completely different for AoPS than any regular math supplementation program. Also, some kids learn better in a class with other kids and a teacher than they do with their parents.

My kid is in third and no I cannot teach him. I have dyslexia and dyscalculia, I struggle with math. I cannot teach him at a level that meets his needs. AoPS is more structured and teaches him different approaches to problems while encouraging problem solving. He really enjoys it. It also helps to have a different Teacher then his parents. We teach him a lot. He plays games with us, he gets help with homework from us, we teach him life skills. It helps him to learn from other people who teach in a different way and it helps him develop a better sense of self and independence.

[Anonymous]

I wonder what the substantive difference between doing AOPS books at home and taking AOPS virtual class. Our son is third grade, we have done APOS books 3A-D and 4A-D at home. It seems the AOPS class uses the same books, so I am wondering if doing AOPS clases can be duplicative.

[Anonymous]

^There isn’t a substantive difference between the classes and books. If the parent has the math knowledge, time, and patience to help their kids through the books, and if the kid is receptive to working through books with parents, then there isn’t a huge need to take the in person classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^There isn’t a substantive difference between the classes and books. If the parent has the math knowledge, time, and patience to help their kids through the books, and if the kid is receptive to working through books with parents, then there isn’t a huge need to take the in person classes.

OP here and honestly i don't think I can do it. It's just not the same as having an experienced person teach them. I've tried and there is lots of arguing. My kids are 3rd and 5th.

[Anonymous]

I have been using AOPS books for the last few years. My child even took a class one year and is fine with the class. But child preferred to do the books with my help. It allows a more tailored and a more flexible schedule. A parent can definitely teach it just as well or better than AOPS because of the individual attention. The books are very well written. AOPS is also pretty good and have no issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What grade are your kids in?

What grade?
If your kids are in elementary, you are wasting money on those classes when you can teach them yourself.

I disagree. My 1st grader is prepping for Math Kangaroo and the way he has learned math is so very different than mine (or DH's). He understands and solves the problems in a much more intuitive way. He's doing RSM online and I love it. I do also teach him myself but the way they are learning at RSM (or the other supplemental places) is much different than the way we learned to do math.

[Anonymous]

I am glad to know that we are not substantively missing anything by just doing AoPS books. But yes, I am good at math, and spend time to solve questions myself beforehand so that I can navigate our DC as needed. By the way, I thought that Singapole math books (challenge version) are tougher.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I requested more info from AoPS and I’m waiting to hear back.