Introduction & Math Question

[Kristen]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the board and wanted to introduce myself and ask a question. I've been reading some of the posts for a few days and it seems like a really supportive and caring group.
I have three boys - 8 (9 in April), 7, and 18 months. This is our second school year using Beyond. We've sort of been taking our time because our little guy was born right before we started. We really enjoy it - they love the history and activities. It is so good for boys because they love to move around! Someone else mentioned the high retention and I've seen that too. Even though we've spread it out they have learned so much about the pilgrims and are always able to recall things. It's really neat.
We decided to add our own math and language arts (some basic workbooks and reading our own stuff) when we started which was o.k. at first. (This is where my question comes in.) But this past year we needed something more for math so I ventured out to find some better stuff. I ended up choosing Saxon (I checked it out - another hs mom who used to teach math recommended it). Then I figured I needed more structured language arts too so I went on a search and ended up choosing Horizons for my 7 y.o. and Lifepac for the oldest. (Both Alpha Omega). Anyway, trying to make this short.... Somewhere along the line I forgot all about Beyond and ended up just being able to do math and lang. arts all day - yeah, it took about 4 hours or more (!!) Well, considering the baby took some time and with distractions it was probably not a solid 4 hours. The kids were miserable and I was miserable. They didn't mind the math so much but it took so long. I had my 7 y.o. who is a kinesthetic learner all the way trying to sit and do this workbook (lang. arts) and me just getting frustrated. So I remembered Beyond and (lightbulb!) yeah, they loved this stuff. So the last couple weeks I just sort of stopped the workbook stuff and have been doing Beyond and reading (which we always did). Now I feel like I wasted a whole year on their math because I got it late in the year and it was all review. I don't know if any of you have used Saxon, but it's a lot of review and drill and there's oral stuff and it's spiral learning so they introduce things slowly over time and review as you go along. It's just sooo time consuming. Have any of you used Saxon? I'm realizing maybe I should just go with what's recommended for Beyond but I don't know anything about Singapore. I also don't want to keep switching and spending money on things. I want to find something I can stick with.
I'd like to use Bigger next year with all the recommended stuff and maybe I should order it early and start this year to make up for lost time. ???
Sorry this is so long and I feel like I've rambled. Thanks for your time!

Kristen

[Tansy]

Hi Kristin,
I love a rambling note like yours! Digressions are my forte, let me see if I got this right...
Your frustrated with work books and vast quantities of math work.
You really don't want to spend $$ on a new math program if it isn't going to work for you.
But you want to give your children a break from the grind math has been, and the math needs to allow for differing learning styles.
You want to hear success stories or "lack there of" over Saxon math.
Is that right?

Are you open to other math suggestions or just want to know more about Singapore?
here is a link to a singapore discussion currently going on.
http://heartofdakota.com/board3/viewtop ... f=6&t=2856

I can't really answer your questions but maybe someone else can jump in.. Don't fret review is good for their math souls.
hugs,
Tansy

[inHistiming]

We used Saxon last year for my oldest ds. While he learned well, and I liked its thoroughness, he did not enjoy copying the problems out of the text onto his page (we had an old edition, not the workbooks they have now) and we often had mistakes due to improper copying. We decided to switch to Singapore this year, and he loves it! So far, we have not had near the struggle we did with math last year. The workbook format has been a big help, so if you like Saxon you could stick with that and make sure you have the workbook format. However, Singapore has shorter lessons and has been very thorough in my opinion. It would be worth checking out the books on their site and giving a placement test to see where your children place. One 'warning', just so you are aware, is that Singapore is more advanced than other maths. My ds used Saxon 54 last year and placed in Singapore 3B for this year. DD had already done SIngapore 1A/B in 1st grade, but after doing Horizons 2 for math in 2nd still only placed in Singapore 2 for 3rd grade. Here is a link that will take you to the SIngapore web site; you can look at the table of contents of the levels and see samples, as well as look at the placement tests and print them out.

http://www.singaporemath.com/Mathematics_s/1.htm

I also want to add that we have found the L.A. recommendations in the HOD guides to be a great fit. My dd did well with the spelling method and the laid-back grammar in Beyond...and now this year is excelling with R&S 2. DS is in R&S 3, about to start level 4, and is also doing extremely well. It is very thorough, simple, and easy to understand. Many do a lot of the work orally, so if writing is a concern you could try it that way. I highly recommend trying R&S because I have been very pleased with my dc's progress this year.

I hope that helps some...and I'm sure others will chime in soon with their opinions and suggestions.

[Kristen]

You've both been very helpful. It's great to be able to discuss. The thing I forgot to mention is that the Saxon has to be done with the student. So I had to do math with one, then math with the other, then lang. arts with one, etc. Only my oldest could really work somewhat independently on lang. arts.
I'm going to check out the Singapore placement tests and the R & S.
Thank you!
Kristen

[Carrie]

Kristen,

Here's a link to the Singapore placement test: http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_Test_s/86.htm

I also wanted to mention that Rod and Staff English 2 is scheduled in Bigger Hearts, so when you get there that is a great way to cover English in a short fashion (doing much of it orally). It is also very solid English, mechanics, usage, etc. coverage and is economical!

Depending on where you are at in Beyond, you may want to finish it before moving into Bigger Hearts (unless you check out the placement chart, and it solidly appears your kiddos are ready for Bigger Hearts). Here's a link to the placement chart:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

I'd love to hear your thoughts if you get a minute.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Kristen]

Thanks Carrie. I will have to have the boys do the Singapore placement tests when we have a chance. Then we'll take it from there. My oldest could do Bigger now, but my second (7) is not quite ready. I think waiting until next year is probably best, that way I can still teach both together. Another friend reminded me that time and the things we do with the kids is never wasted and review is good! I never much believed in "grade levels" so I have to always remind myself not to get caught in that trap. I guess there is a middle ground between pushing too much and not doing enough.
Thanks again for all the feedback. I look forward to more discussions.
Kristen