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I'll be doing Bigger over a 2 year period with my daughter who will be a young 7 in second grade next year. I will be going full speed with literature, grammar, spelling and math, but half speed history and science. My biggest concern is math. My background is as a history and English teacher and I feel incredibly confident teaching those, but math...well, let's just say math was always a struggle for me and even now I have a hard time teaching 1st grade level to my daughter. I know how to do the math, but teaching the concepts beforehand is often a struggle.

I LOVE the math activities Carrie has written as they help me so so so very much, but once I reach the 3rd level in Singapore it looks as if I'll be on my own. I perused the 1-week sample of the Preparing guide and I don't see any activities. My question is, WHAT WILL I DO? How can I possibly teach her using just the workbook? Is the textbook necessary at this level? What about a teacher's guide? I know it's still over a year away, but I'm already feeling anxiety about this. I don't want my precious girl to struggle as I did simply because I'm not adequate to teach her math.

Thanks in advance ladies!
Melissa

I believe in Preparing we will need to get the math texts as well as the workbooks. In the younger guides we don't need the texts since Carrie has activities written out. You can do it!

I agree. The textbooks are needed for 3 on up. I think doing it from the beginning you won't have any trouble explaining things from the textbook. So once you reach 3 you will need textbook & workbook. You can do it!

The ladies are right - in 3A on up you use the Textbook to teach. I wouldn't worry - it is not hard if you just sit right by your little honey and talk through the textbook. I keep the math answer key in hand as I work with the older dc in math, and it works just fine. I thought maybe this thread may be helpful...

Singapore – how do you teach a lesson for 3A on up?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10836

HTH!
In Christ,
Julie

Thank you for your encouragement ladies I feel like I'm struggling to teach math even now in level 1A-1B! I often defer to my husband in this area. I'm so blessed to have a husband who not only wholeheartedly supports our homeschooling but also happily teaches her when the need arises! That's a great idea to keep the answer key beside you! I think I'll be investing in that Maybe I'll learn a thing or two while I'm teaching her. I just feel so inadequate in this one area. I keep reminding myself that if God called us to this place, He will be my adequacy. I was reminded of that at our missions conference today.

Thanks again ladies. I needed your encouragement today

Okay so I read the thread Julie linked. Just wanted to make sure I am understanding correctly. Added practice and drilling is NOT needed with Singapore? If that is true than I will love teaching Math!

Melissa and Samantha,

This recent thread should be of help to you as you ponder too. Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11312&p=82424

Blessings,
Carrie

The upper Singapore levels also have a home educator's manual that you can purchase. I would really recommend it. I was a fourth grade teacher, but was never strong in math as a student. There have been times when the textbook was not very clear as far as how to present the concept. I don't refer to the home ed. manual often, but it has come in VERY handy this year! We are now in 5B, and I've been glad that I've had it for a few of the lessons.
Laura

Carrie, Thanks for the link I have read, and reread, and reread that post already several times because of my lack of confidence in math. I shared my fears with my husband who basically said, "Don't worry. I'll teach it to the girls if it's easier for you that way." What a man!

Thanks also for the home educator's guide suggestion. I didn't realize that existed!