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I'm really pleased with LHFHG, and I just had a couple of questions for "informational only" purposes.

I keep reading that with Singapore math "you need to add drill". Is this true? Does HOD add the necessary "drill" (I know they add activities with the math for the earlier programs, but what about with later programs?). Is a resource suggested for the "necessary drill"? OR, is no standard extra drill needed in the opinion of HOD? Just curious where HOD stands on this exciting issue. I have absolutely no opinion and just wondered.

Second, I read a review that was posted here and at HSR(annegirl or something like that) and it said one of the reasons she liked HOD because(and I am paraphrasing here) she never had to worry about covering what was required for each grade. I own a book that tells you what you "should be" learning for each grade level, for every subject. I'm not saying that you have to learn certain things every year and we all have to agree on everything, but it doesn't hurt to follow some sort of guideline IMHO. I had some idea that I should pull my book out and compare it against HOD every year, but do I really need to? (Because, I am lazy and don't want to bother!) Does Carrie have some sort of "list" she uses when she's writing each program? IE, you should cover such and such in K, and then she writes those "skills" into LHFHG etc? Again, I am just curious because I am going to throw my book out the window and just believe Carrie has it covered (if that is the case).

These questions are probably really silly but I am interested in learning all about HOD.

Thanks for any input in advance!

You do NOT have to add math drills. Singapore math is an excellent math program. Some parents wish their children to do math drills, if you want that, you will need to add your own. However, the student does not have to have math drills to be successful at math. I only added time drills biweekly because my 7yo tends to dawdle and poke around and I'm tired of spending extra time to get through math (and other subjects) because he will not try to do it. He can do it, he just doesn't want to. (We have attitude issues)

While Singapore math does not focus on drills, the students will pick up the basic math facts after a while from doing the exercises instead of from rote memorization.

HTH,

Drills are just a personal decision. Singapore will teach your children how to think about math. If you want them to be able to have quick recall of basic math facts, drill doesn't hurt them.

Just make sure they understand the concept before you begin the drill. Like WHY 1+1=2.

About drill, I don't use Singapore, I use Saxon but I use it lazily--- ie, I just have my children do the worksheets, I don't "teach" using the teacher book. I know I SHOULD, but I don't. Anyway, for drill, my DS did NOT like flashcards, he felt too much pressure and I didn't help----so I wanted to pass along my trick. I got MATH WINDOWS. They cost about 1.29 each, and are by Carson Dellosa. It is a sheet of cardstock with 100 addition problems (also one for sutraction, mult, div) and a little cut out window where the child writes the solution for each equation. So you paper clip a piece of writing paper on the back, and have them solve the equations in the cut out window, and it is reusable forever! They can flip it over to correct their own work. I usually give my son a few columns (or rows---I choose randomly) a day to do, and when he has them down, I do them less frequently. My son loves it! A cheap, effective, easy way to add drill to any program!

Amy,

Here's some past threads that are similar and may be of help to you:

http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=379

http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=492

http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=951

http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=112

Blessings,
Carrie