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Does anyone use any Singapore Math "extras" with the text and workbooks? I'm talking about the Challenging Word Problems, the Intensive Practice or the Extra Practice workbooks. They aren't part of HOD's packages, and I am also wondering what the reasoning is behind that. Just curious, TIA !

I use the "Intensive Practice" a level behind. So we're in 2A right now and using 1A IP. It provides great review as well as being great for independent work.
I would use the Word Problems books at least a grade level behind as well...they are VERY challenging especially as you move up into higher levels. I haven't used the EP books, but would guess those would go hand in hand with whatever level you are on.

ETA: I should note I have a child that NEEDS extra practice. If she didn't I would use SM alone as it dosen't really need anything else.

Amy,

The CWP, IP, EP etc. were all things that were added here in the U.S. to the originally outstanding Singapore math program used in Singapore. Here in the U.S. we tend to "supersize" everything, even when it's not needed. Singapore is already a strong program on its own and doesn't require the addition of extra materials. If you love alot of practice and feel you want more, then you may choose to add the extras if you desire. Don't feel that it is necessary though.

Blessings,
Carrie

Fabulous! Thanks so much!

I use the Intensive Practice book (along with the workbook) for my 3rd grade son who is in Singapore 3B. On some days, I only use the workbook because the work is plenty challenging. For example, multistep division was quite difficult for him, so we just focused on the basics that were in the workbook. Other days he already has a good understanding of the topic or he masters it quite quickly, so I will give him the IP work to do instead of or in addition to the workbook (or I'll pick some problems from each). So, in the end we don't do every single page of either book but I'm okay with that since they're reasonably priced. The workbook pages that I felt were too simple are skipped and the IP pages that were way too challenging (there are definitely some of those!) I am saving to do over summer or as additional practice next year. I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but there are pages in the workbook that I often skip because they are pages with a riddle or similar type of thing where getting the correct answers will then result in the answer to the riddle or question. Well, normally I love these type of self-checking type of activities. However the ones in Singapore are sometimes designed in such a way that the answer is very obvious and the child doesn't even really need to think in order to figure out the answer. Now, if they are problems in which the work needs to be shown in order to solve the problem (e.g. multistep division or multiplication), then these are great. But if they're mental math type problems, then I just skip these pages and use the Intensive Practice instead because my son would just fill in the letters to the answer and not necessarily figure out the math problems. (I hope that makes sense!)
We love Singapore and have used it since 2A, and we have found this approach of picking and choosing between the workbook and Intensive Practice based on ds's needs regarding his mastery of that particular topic has worked really well. I've been so pleased in his ability to apply the math skills to higher-level problem solving. So, I do love the Intensive Practice, but I can definitely see that it's not a "necessity." If you have a child who could use some additional challenges and situations in which they need to think "outside of the box" while reinforcing the math skills they're learning, IP is definitely worth trying.

Hi! I love Singapore so far. I have a child in 3B, a child in 2B, and 2 children in 1A. One of my kids in 1A definitely needs extra time and practice with even simple math. Recently, I bought Math Mammoth to give him a slightly different approach to learnning the "how" and practicing. It is working very well for him. It seems good for filling in gaps and is very inexpensive as well. Singapore by itself has been just right for the other 3 children, however, with no extra practice other than some math games for drilling facts.

Blessings,