Switching to Singapore...now???

[tiffanieh]

I have been using Saxon math for both of my boys, and while it's "okay" I'm not crazy over it. I ordered the remainder of the curriculum from Carrie today what I'll need for next year and went ahead and ordered the Early Bird Math for my youngest and 1A/1B for my oldest.

My questions are:

1. Should I just finish out Saxon until the end of the year and start fresh with Singapore at the new school year or should I just get started now since we have until the end of May for this school year?

2. Will my children ever "catch up" in Singapore since they are both going to be a year behind according the the skill level (For example, my oldest will be in 2nd grade next year, but he needs to start at 1B, so he'll always be 1/2 year behind and my youngest will be in 1st grade next year but I'm going to have to start him probably in the middle of the Early Bird program)

Thank you so much for all your advice~~

[Mom2Monkeys]

They aren't behind at all! Many kids start 1A in 2nd grade...Singapore children start 1A when they are 7. No worries!

[netpea]

You might find that sometimes you go a little faster than the schedule in Singapore and sometimes you slow down a little, but it will all work out. No worries.

[tiffanieh]

Thanks for the two responses so far! So do you think I should switch right now or just wait until the new school year?

[netpea]

If you are sure you want to switch, I would say just go for it now. Box up the Saxon and break out the Singapore....

[water2wine]

I am only just finishing 1B level with Singapore but I am finding my two little ones love Singapore so much they are sailing through it. So we kind of started out behind with my first grader but now we are going to be at least a half a year ahead by the end of the year. I think you will be happy with the switch. Math is one of those things that I think you can change any time as long as you are matching up well where to start with your child's skill levels. Enjoy it!

[Kristen]

I was in the same boat you are right now! And I stopped the Saxon and switched to Singapore just a couple of weeks ago. I have three boys (almost 9, 7 and 19 mos.) and I was so frustrated with Saxon. (I had posted here and got some great advice) We all were just dreading it each day because it took so long and there was so much review they got bored. I decided to give Singapore a try for the rest of this year, since it is so economical ($9 a workbook). And all the activities (Carrie's "teachers manual") are in the Beyond book that I'm using this year with both boys. I started them in 1A (7 yo) and 1B (9 in a couple weeks). It might be a little easier than where they should have started but I wanted to get a feel for the books and have them feel comfortable with them. I figured it was o.k. if they got some review this year since our math's been somewhat spotty, and if they sailed through it that would be good too since we don't have a whole year to do it.
So far they love the Singapore! I feel like it is more of what I'm used to and doesn't require so much energy from me (not a math person ). The lessons are short and sweet and they can go ahead if they want to or we can review more if needed. I would encourage you to give it a try!
Kristen

[my3sons]

I say "Goodbye Saxon" and "Hello Singapore!". If you are going to make the switch, you might as well do it now. If you haven't had your dc take the Singapore Placement test, you will want to do that. It's usually very helpful in getting the correct placement. It doesn't take long to to do - here's the link:
http://www.singaporemath.com/
Just click the "Placement" tab at the top for a free placement test.

I think you'd love Singapore. If you are doing any Singapore Levels up through 2B, be sure to utilize the hands-on HOD math plans with them. They're just great - our dc LOVE math because of the happy start we had to it with the HOD hands-on activities!

In Christ,
Julie

[dale1088]

I agree that they are not "behind" at all! Many, many opinions will tell you that Singapore is about a grade level ahead, and I can attest to that because my dd is in 2A and getting into multiplication and they are just now doing that in 3rd grade math in ps. Of course, all programs are different and we don't always want to hold ourselves accountable to the ps system , but as far as being behind, they won't be!