Beyond Little Hearts

[Jennifer]

We have finished our second week with Beyond and I am so happy I chose this curriculum this year! I love the way it is laid out. We had an issue last week which made doing our school work difficult for a couple of days. However, with Beyond it was not an issue. I did not feel like a needed to double up or we would not be on track. One day all we did was review for about a half hour in math, phonics, and spelling, and one day we did not have school at all (Labor Day).
I have always hated playing catch up and really feel Carrie has put this together so well it is not necessary.Thank you so much!!!

I do have one question for all of you. At what point in Singapore 1A/1B do your children need to have the facts families mastered? From looking at the books, it seems that at least through the first book the concept of addition and subtraction are taught using hands on activities and pictures. Are they just expected to know all the facts to 10 by heart sometime before they complete these books, which for my 6 year old would mean by the end of 1st grade? In my opinion it looked like by the end of book 1A they have been practicing so much using pictures and such that the memorization would have just come naturally!? If anyone knows the answer I would appreciate it.

[jensmom]

I am certainly no expert here - we are in Unit 4 so we are just a bit ahead of you. I am starting to notice that dd-6 is actually "getting it" slowly but surely. Just yesterday I noticed that she is starting to remember that 3+3 always =6 and that 7+2 AND 2+7 actually =9. It is coming....and when the light bulb flickers it is a beautiful thing. I can't wait for the bright flash of the bulb when it all comes together!

Judy

[Jennifer]

jensmom... Thank you so much for your reply! That is kind of what I am expecting to happen. It seems each day he gets a little quicker and understands more.

[anointedhsmom]

Jennifer,

I am certainly no expert on math or Singapore for that matter but I have researched Singapore a decent amount and owned some books. Singapore is great but should probably have some drill added to it. You can use flash cards or any other fun way to do the drill. I'm sure your child will pick up the skills needed if you don't do a bit of extra drill also. I don't think hard cold memorization is necessary by the end of 1B either. I'm sure if you keep working it will come.

HTH,
Paige

[annaz]

I did some research on Singapore and found that the workbooks aren't meant to be used alone. Singapore has extra practice sheets, drill sheets and mental math drills in their TM that are supposed to make the program more complete. Some kids need them, some don't. My dd needed tons of review, so we're using something else, even though I like Singapore. My dd is just not real good at math, so we opted for a different program, because if it's not scheduled, I don't do it. So check out Singapore's site. To me it looked like the mental math drills from the TM would do some good. Otherwise, if you're good enough in math you can do them on your own.

[Jennifer]

Thank you Paige and Ann for your answers. I have been adding the extra practice because I too read that the books used alone may not be enough. I ordered the extra practice book for 1st grade and have additional workbooks from the store for 1st grade math. If I feel it is something that needs further review we do extra workbook pages. I also try to quickly review previous lessons from the week. Carrie does a great job with the hands on activities and I love that the workbook pages are short. My son does better with the oral and hands on then workbook pages. I just wanted to make sure that by the end of this year we are prepared for next. Abeka (what my older son used) expects math facts memorized by heart by the end of 1st grade. I am glad Singapore takes more time with the pictorial part and doesn't just put fact after fact to answer. Thanks for all your help!

[Carrie]

The ladies are doing a wonderful job of talking through the math fact memorization question with you! I'll link you to a previous thread that may be of some help here as well: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1318
viewtopic.php?t=379

viewtopic.php?t=492

viewtopic.php?t=951

viewtopic.php?t=112

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1311

I did also want to mention that the original Singapore math series (written and used in Singapore) did not have Teacher's Manuals, so all that was required to teach the program was Textbook/Workbook and Answer Key for each level. The Teacher's Manuals were something that was added when the Singapore series was brought here to the United States, so anything in those manuals (mental math drill, extra practice sheets, extra drills) are not necessary or required to complete the program. In the U.S. we tend to add on much more drill than needed. I just wanted to clarify those details so each of you understand that you are not using just a portion of the Singapore program. You are actually using the Singapore program as it was written. If you ever desire to add on additional practice or drill, you can certainly add on the additional components that have been tacked on here in the United States, but if your kiddos are thriving with the program as is there is no need to add anything else.

Blessings,
Carrie