Reply to AOPS - why didn't it work for you?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]AoPS is asking the kids to think independently about creative ways to solve problems using all the prior skills they may or may not have learned. For example, in pre algebra, there are problems where you have to realize that you can substitute unknown variables for other unknown variables and get an answer that way. Your child has to be creative enough to take risks and think. Many of the questions have multiple solutions but many also incorporate strategies that are not taught. My DC struggles because she wants rules and is afraid to be creative. She will say, but we never learned that! And my answer is, that is the point. To think with logic, using what you know. Net: it is not something to MAKE your child do to get ahead or catch up. And yes, there are questions that took me hours to figure out![/quote]
most kids struggle with the basics so this isn't all that helpful when they can't add or subtract[/quote]

The OP was asking why AoPS did not work for some kids. Part of the answer is that AoPS works for kids who have strong fundamentals and enjoy "playing" with math. AoPS would not be a good program for a kid who is struggling with the basics. It sounds like RSM is a more flexible program because it has different levels for each grade and would be able to focus on the basics for kids who need the basics.

I don't believe that anyone in this topic has said that AoPS is a good fit for all kids but for a specific subset of kids. Listening to my sons sessions, he is in 3rd grade, it is clear that there were kids who understood the concepts with little effort and were enjoying the various puzzles and strategies. There were other kids who needed some time to talk to the Teacher when class was done to make sure that they were understanding the concepts. I could very easily see how many kids would not do well in the program but it was a great fit for him.

If a parent is looking for a math program to build basic skills they should probably be looking at Mathnasium, Kumon, Sylvan, or RSM. If parents are looking for a math program that is focused more on creative problem solving, it sounds like AoPS and the high level RSM sections are a good fit. [/quote]

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