Reply to Russian School of Math for average math kid?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Do people do RSM only if their kid is super good at math? Our DC is in 3rd, very bright but doesn't love the academic aspect of school and scores in the lower "at grade level" range in math. We think it might be a self-confidence issue (gets bored/doesn't try very hard/refuses help from us). Looking for ways of making them feel better about their academic skills. [/quote]

I would consider Mathnasium. They gameify things and give out awards. I don't love that aspect of it in theory but can't dispute that it turned my kid's enthusiasm for math around as well as her confidence. And it didn't create a situation where she now only needs rewards to do math. She's an enthusiastic above-average student now who will hang in there through the struggle of a math problem, where this really frustrated her before because she wasn't used to struggling in anything academic. [/quote]

+1  I wouldn't put an average math kid in Russian School of Math.  RSM classes are large, and while they're well-done, they're not *fun*.     Mathnasium is much better for a kid who is looking for basic enrichment, and they have a much smaller student: instructor ratio and prizes and ice cream parties and stuff.[/quote]

+1 these are challenging classes and the homework is time consuming. It’s great for kids who really excel at math and are not getting enough of a challenge at school. It’s just not for your average kid.[/quote]

If your child is struggling with the RSM lower level class and the homework is taking a long time you should be seeking help from the school. AoPS is not for most kids, it is meant to be a challenging class for kids who are advanced. There were kids in my son’s class who needed help after class on a regular basis, you could see that the class was not a good fit. Beast Academy is not for every kid, it is for kids that are more advanced or have parents who are able to help them.

RSM has a level for the vast majority of kids. I will agree that it is not fun for most kids, it is a math class, and the the kids in the lower level classes are probably kids who need to improve in math, not kids there for the challenge. The advanced class is the class that does not fit most kids needs, it moves quickly and touches on material that is not taught at school. I do think that they are moving too many kids into the advanced group, DS’s 6th grade class spent weeks on concepts instead of days, he was bored and dropped the grade level class that year.

The thing is, RSM, while not cheap, is less expensive than tutoring. I kid who is struggling with math and needs help might be able to attend something like RSM and not pay for tutoring. Mathnasium of Kumon might be a better fit, parents should look at all of the options.

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