The first time I tried it, there was nothing--I got to doors, but nothing happened. Then finally a problem came up on the door, but I had no idea what to do after throwing the snail balls (I didn't know you were supposed to type in the number answer). It's pretty simple once the stuff works--you run into the snails, which then turn into balls you can throw at the door. Then you have to type in the numeral that is the answer to the problem on the door. After that, the door opens up and an ogre comes out. The multiplication problem(s) appear on his front and you have so much time in which to type in the answer. If you answer wrong, he blasts you with his club thing. After you give the correct answer(s) several times, he goes back behind the door and a key appears, which you grab by running into it. After you do this at several doors, you go on to the next level. That's as far as I know :) We've played this game with dd doing the keyboard and me manipulating the mouse. That has worked well so far. She's still trying to get used to pushing the right number key(s), which is hard for her to do quickly.

I have a problem with numbers. I can't remember dates or prices because they just don't have meaning for me. Letters and words have colour and feel and taste and sound, but numbers? Nada. I didn't take math until grade 5, and boy did it kill me. I had the best teacher who really tried to help me learn the times tables, but let's face it. When you can't even add single digit numbers, no way can you learn to multiply and divide without a fight. Math came hard to me, but it wasn't impossible. I took high school and university level math classes and passed, even got very good grades. But it just didn't come easy to me and was a LOT of work. I learnt a method of adding large numbers, called "chunking". You remove chunks of easily added numbers, then deal with the bits left over. So if adding 123 and 234, instead of starting with the 3 and 4, you start with the 1 and 2. I would do it this way: Three hundreds, fifty, and seven. 357. Multiplication can be "chunked" as well by memorizing just a few from each number, then working from there. I know what 6x6 is (36). So 6x12 is double that so 72 - 60, chunk the ten from 12 so 70 plus 2). It seems complicated, but I can do it very quickly, almost automatically. But I still don't know all the "times tables".

Lynda, I couldn't do Geometry. Nothing about it made sense to me until I took drafting in college. That's when the light bulbs turned on - waaay too late LOL. Kicky, I looked it up and find it very interesting. Thank you for the suggestion. My only concern so far is while the tips & tricks are great, they take as long or longer than factoring the multiplication problem. Only thing is I didn't read very far yet, but I don't doubt he will be able to find some of the concepts helpful in school. Others will be helpful just knowing them and to get the practice. I really find it all very fascinating. Petaloid, I'm going to look at that website, too. Thanx for the recommendation. Eliza Ann, show her the way Carla explained it. I showed Jordan how to follow the numbers through, and he whizzed through his homework that night. He can follow that way pretty well - 8, 16, 24, etc. or 9, 18, 27, etc. to arrive at his answer. I can't believe my daughter nor his teacher nor he had thought of doing that before. But, it's relieving him of the chore so that he's more comfortable that I want to try doing. Carla, I hadn't thought of some of those. Good idea for him to add rows and columns like that in every day life. I think we'll make a game of it. Will be lots of fun with the three of us. His brother, Aaron, is 19 mos younger and answers some of the questions I put to Jordan. LOL He's so proud of himself doing multiplication in 2nd grade. "Let me show you how I did it, Grandmere!" hahaha He tickles me.

We had the same issue with my oldest daughter. She skipped 1st grade, but 2nd grade was still too easy for her academically. She struggled with "executive function skills," though, like remembering which folder to use, where to turn in her papers, etc. At that age, her reading tests showed she was at the 8th grade level, but I don't know how much stock I put into tests. Mid year, I pulled her out to homeschool her. We homeschooled for a few years. I was very happy we did even though the social aspect was a HUGE struggle. We are surrounded by groups who HS for religious reasons. The co-op classes were either very far (and I had other young children) or based on religion (which affected everything, but esp. science). Same with the social groups-- they'd have you sign a statement of faith to join. My daughter isn't esp. social, though, and she loved being able to learn what she wanted on her terms. When I was pregnant with my 5th child, my daughter and I decided it would be better for her to go to school. She didn't skip when she went back, though she really regrets it now as a HS sophomore. (Her choice.) I knew that with so many young children, I wouldn't be able to give her what she needed, esp. since the social part was such a problem. She returned to school with zero issues and was still way ahead academically. Anyway, my point is that if 1st grade doesn't work out, you can always HS for a few years, even a year. For her, the benefits were tremendous. No one says it has to be forever!