Singapore with special needs?

[water2wine]

Thanks Lisa I really appreciate all your encouragement and advice! Isn't it funny how they learn those survival techniques. You know sometimes I think they really think that is how reading works that there is some kind of magic trick to it like that. My dd is the best little narrator. I know it is because she has to be to survive because she can't read proficiently. It's wonderful when they show a clear talent as well that they can rest on and know they can do. My daughters is a little less visible but it works with what she wants to do. She really has a gift with people. She has a lot of empathy for people and she wants to do children's ministry so I think that will be good. That and the fact that she has a big part of her I can see that will never grow up. I think that will help her working with kids.

We actually took the placement test for Singapore. I did not want to post on it because I did not want to throw anyone off who it might help. But perhaps my results could help someone that has a similar special needs issue. First let me say that my dd has brain damage in her language area and the area that does complex reasoning. Her IQ is normal but these areas are affected. We were told early on that reading and math would be a struggle for her. I tried the Singapore test at a level where I knew she had done the things it was presenting to try to see if it would work for her. At least that is what I thought I would be testing. Anyway it was odd but it completely baffled her. I think the reason is that she struggles with language. To me (and I am not Singapore expert having just done K and part of first grade ) it seems part of the thinking that goes on in Singapore is the way things are presented. Anyway for whatever reason she had issues with the placement test which I realize is not the actual text but I figure if the placement test is really throwing her off at the level she can do then I trust them it is designed to see where you can actually do the text. At any rate we also tried the placement test with CLE and I was surprised she did about as well as my other kids relatively speaking. For her she has issues with long term and short term memory. Things that she absolutely has nailed down she will forget them like she has never learned them. So I am hoping a spiral math might do well for her. At any rate we are going to take it slow with her.

I think CLE would have worked if she did not have the language and the math issues going on. I really wish it were a good fit for her because I love the way Singapore teaches. My two little ones use it and I am amazed at how well they are able to apply what they learn. So naturally I want that for her as well. If CLE is not a hit for her I think we will go back to R&S for good and I will have to try make that more spiral for her so she does not forget things and just review a lot. It would be nice to have that all done for me though so we will try CLE first. I am happy to be able to have the freedom to make these tweaks for her. Luckily whatever I use will work well with HOD. I love having that freedom!

[erdrmom]

I want to jump in and comment here about the placement in Singapore. My sister switched to Singapore this year with her kids, one in 6th and one in 3rd. Her oldest struggles greatly with math. I think she's been convinced she can't do math. We were looking at several different math programs at the convention last year and she wanted my opinion since I am an engineer and have done advanced math. Anyway, we talked with a lady at a display of Singapore books who had used all of the levels of Singapore. When we described my neice's struggle, she recommended that my sister go back to the 3A/B level. She said that because of the way that Singapore teaches the concepts, a struggling math student might become discouraged and completely give up. So, that is what my sister did for this year. My neice is flying through the problems, picking up the concepts and is almost back up to her grade level (she will be by the end of the school year). The biggest thing I think here, is the fact that she now has confidence that she can do the math, and is not overwhelmed by the shear number of problems on a page. She still doesn't "like" math, but now she doesn't fight it.

[water2wine]

Cindi that is great! It is amazing how well they do with it and how fast they can move through it as well. We actually love Singapore and use it with two of our children. It just did not seem to be a good fit for our child with cerebral palsy who is more than a struggler but actually has brain damage in the area of the brain that controls math. But we love Singapore and really wish we had used it with all my kids except for just this one. But it's kind of too late now. My youngest two use it though and we plan on using it all the way through. It gives them the most amazing thinking skills. They can divide a cookie like nobodies business, hahaha!

I will share though that the reason we did not use it was because we were pulling them out of public school. I felt like it would just blow them out of the water since they really had a lot of holes in their math knowledge. In hind sight I wish I had put all but my special needs child in Singapore and just traced back a few years. By now I know that we would be so much better off and we would have caught up. I really do think Singapore is an amazing math program. And to anyone that has to go back just to use it I really think it would be worth it in the end. Unfortunately only my two babies use it. But they are very smart at math and I know that is due to using Singapore. Anyway just want to make sure that everyone knows that the program is great. I just found of my one daughter that has cerebral palsy it was not a good fit for her. But I do not even think that another child with CP could not use it since CP is not actually a predictable disease it is a brain damage event caused by different things happening in many ways, it might be great for another child with CP. I just think for my dd that even if I took her through the 2 level I don't think she could make it through the 3 level on her abilities even knowing the techniques. She just can't get the language poor thing. I wish she could but it comes down to having to accept things sometimes that I can't change. I know God has an awesome plan for her. She has many other precious gifts.

[erdrmom]

water2wine,

I am sorry if my comments came across wrong. I wasn't trying to imply that you should have chosen Singapore for your special needs child. I totally get that the two situations are completely different. My main thought was about the placement tests in general and trying to share what we had learned from the conference. My brain is so groggy from all of the allergy medications I am taking that I think my thought process wasn't clear. I am not in your shoes, and can't even know all of the factors of your situation. You are being very wise in looking at all of the things out there and also considering the younger siblings "passing her up" and the emotional toll that could take on her and her learning. I pray that the program you choose will be the one that makes it easier for her.

[water2wine]

Cindi you did not say one thing wrong at all and I appreciated your comments, really. I was just wanting to make sure that people in general understood that we still think Singapore is great. And I appreciate so much your kind words and prayer. We will get it figured out. It's times like this that I really just need to step back and realize we really have come a long way. You just want so much for them and I want so badly for her to have a "normal" life with "normal" opportunities and you know what being able to do basic math turns out to be a big part of that. But please don't think you said anything that I took as bad. I was just making a blanket statement to sort of make sure nobody took what I was saying wrong. That is all. I appreciate your kindness.