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Hi,
I am using 1a right now with my 1st grader, after using Earlybird with him last year. I don't know if it's him or me, but we're both frustrated. I am not a mathy person so this area scares me a bit too. He flew through Earlybird no problems, but we are on number bonds and 1) I don't think I'm teaching it thoroughly and 2) he's not getting it. My question is, would you recommend I buy the textbooks, hig, or both? I feel like as a teacher I need a little more direction and my son may need more practice. I'm also not entirely sure I really "get" Singapore math and overall may need a little more guidance. What would you suggest I add to what is written in Beyond? Thankd!

Number bonds are particulary difficult. I would just keep moving forward. As long as addition and subtraction makes sense to them, I wouldn't worry that they understand number bonds. It will come, just later. Keep working, they will get it.

I would definitely buy the Home Instructors Guide if you need extra help explaining the concepts. My ds is only on Essential Math right now but I have looked ahead and also looked at the HIG for 1a/1b and it does seem helpful to me. You can view a few sample pages at Singapore's website to see if its worth spending the extra money. My son hasn't started number bonds yet but since I was fairly new to the concept and had never been taught that way myself, I have played around with the idea with my ds and he actually has done very well with them if I use cuisnaire rods. He can tell very quickly what number he needs to complete the bond by actually "seeing" the numbers. Then I have him write the equation down on paper to make sure he is understanding what he is building. I bought a small group set (155) of wooden Cuisinaire Rods off Amazon for like $17. They really, really help concepts make more sense, esp. number bonds.

I would just do a little extra practice with manipulatives and make it fun. Also, you can let him use manipulatives when working on the problems in the workbook. I frequently let ds use an abacus or math counters to complete his math assignment when he is learning a new concept. If your ds still struggles, then just make a note to revisit number bonds during a school break or when you start back up, but keep moving forward. Sometimes kids aren't quite ready developmentally for a concept and need a little time to mature for it to click. I know it took a few lessons for number bonds to click with my oldest and he needed a reminder when they turned up again in a review lesson. Not being mathy myself, it took awhile for me to get comfortable teaching the concept of number bonds as well .