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Hi Everyone,

I am trying to wrap my head around the Singapore Math curriculum that the Heart of Dakota guides recommend. I have also been on the Singapore Math website looking at placement tests and I have a few questions that I was hoping you could clarify for me so here goes...

• 1. It appears that each level has a textbook and workbook. I am assuming that the workbook is consumable and the textbook is something that can be passed on to younger siblings. Is this correct?

• 2. I understand that the guides use the Primary Mathematics series. Is it the United States or the Standard version? According to the website, the standard version appears to be the newest editions?

• 3. How much "review" is given with Singapore each day/week? Are the new concepts introduced and then you move on to another new concept the next day or is it a week of review on the new topic?

• 4. One last question... Does the Singapore curriculum use quizzes and tests as a way to grade the student?

Thanks so much for taking time to help out this HOD newbie!! I am really, really excited about our school year coming up.

Jamie wrote:

• 1. It appears that each level has a textbook and workbook. I am assuming that the workbook is consumable and the textbook is something that can be passed on to younger siblings. Is this correct?

It is intended that way but many people use the textbooks as consumables and let the child write in them (note with HOD you don't need to buy the textbooks until 3A/3B unless you don't have the guide with the math plans for that level - i.e. your child is at a different level than the guide you are in). I can see how using the textbooks as consumables would be beneficial and make it easier, and really they don't cost that much.

Jamie wrote:

• 2. I understand that the guides use the Primary Mathematics series. Is it the United States or the Standard version? According to the website, the standard version appears to be the newest editions?

They use the U.S. version

Jamie wrote:

• 3. How much "review" is given with Singapore each day/week? Are the new concepts introduced and then you move on to another new concept the next day or is it a week of review on the new topic?

You might spend a few days or a week on one concept and then when you have the reviews, 3 or so times in each book, it will repeat it again. There is not a LOT of review in Singapore but there is a lot of building on concepts and a lot of story problems as well that will test the child's knowledge of the concepts.

Jamie wrote:

• 4. One last question... Does the Singapore curriculum use quizzes and tests as a way to grade the student?

As far as I know there are not quizzes or tests. You could use your review exercises in this way if you wish, but I just feel like, as a homeschooler, I don't need quizzes and tests because I know how much my children know as I am generally doing it with them or reviewing it with them each day.

I hope this helps!

Melissa - Thank you so much!

The sections that are labelled Revisions like Revision 1, 2, ... are reviews and I used them as our "quizzes/tests" to see if my kids had the material mastered.

Tidbits - Thanks so much!! That does help. I was hoping to start recording grades for my oldest next year for his transcript.

Thanks!
Jamie