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I got the home instructor guide for singapore 3a, just to check it out. It seems a lil overwhelming to me. There are a bunch of manipulatives listed to be used and it just doesnt seem like it is "pickup and go" type book. Is it just me? I dont know exactly where hod stands on the higs, but I know I need as much help as I can get in the math dept. I was kind of thinking it would be a good idea to get a feel of how the higs work now because i am sure i will need them in the upper grades. Anyway, anyone have any insight for me on how to best use them or, really, if they are truly necessary?? I just thought having the extra help and practice there if I needed it would be a good thing...sure will miss Carries math box when we get to that point!!

Thanks for any thoughts!
Mercy

In grade 3, I would just start with the textbook and workbook and refer to the HIG's if we have trouble. I have the HIG for 3rd grade as well. You don't have to do all of the suggestions and often you can just use manipulatives you already have such as base ten blocks. I have a base ten starter set so most of the time our manipulatives are base ten blocks. A good set of counter chips come in handy as well. I remember the multiplication and division visualization from the HIG very helpful. I believe I used base ten blocks then. You can adapt it to work with what you have at the house. Popsicle sticks work well and bundle ten with a rubber band for tens, bundle ten tens for 100...
That is how I have used the Singapore 3 HIG as a supplement. I read it through and get a gist of the lesson. We do it with the textbook and then they are assigned the workbook. If we hit a rough patch, then we may go through the lesson exactly from the HIG.
Hope this helps.

Mercy - Here is a past thread on HIG's in case it may help...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9686

We are finishing up 5B with our oldest and have not used the HIG as of yet, but this is a personal decision each family can make for themselves. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you for the replies! We will just use them as we go, if we need them I guess.

Mercy