Is Singapore enough?

[Mumkins]

I'm just finding there's hardly any work to do. And I'm so use to scripting. It's only 1A and 1B and it's freaking me out! It just seems like we're not doing enough.

[netpea]

If you are doing the activities in the guide, it should be enough. If your child does need extra practice you could just get a basic math workbook at walmart for extra problems.

[Mumkins]

We've only tried one activity cause there's only been one thing he didn't get, fact families. He didn't understand even with the activity. He already knows everything else. I bought the textbooks, but they don't seem helpful either. We've slowed down now cause we've hit the point where I think he's actually learning. We'll be doing the activities now. I'm just concerned about the lack of work.

For those who've used it for years with nothing else, do you find your kids have a firm knowledge of math?

[netpea]

For those who've used it for years with nothing else, do you find your kids have a firm knowledge of math?

Singapore is all we've used. My son is now in 3A and is very good at math. He hates math, but he is very good at it. I thought we were supposed to like the stuff we were good at?

[my3sons]

We're getting ready to start 4A, and my ds is really great at math thanks to Singapore. He just scored a 99 on his math on his standardized testing, and we've not added anything to Singapore (I guess we did math flashcards off and on one summer, but otherwise, nothing else). We did make sure we did the HOD hands-on math along with the workbooks up through 2B, and the textbooks for 3A/3B. That is the teaching part, so you want to be sure you do that. Otherwise, yes - that's enough!

In Christ,
Julie

P.S. Did I mention I LOVE math, and could do math myself all day? Hence, I'm quite picky when it comes to math, and Singapore has wowed me. Having been on a bunch of math textbook selection committees for our school district of 28 elementaries (back in the day when I taught public school ), I've been impressed with Singapore. It is heads above all of the math I spent weeks pouring over at math conventions when I had to fly to those. How I wish Singapore math had been there! It really is that good.

[Michelle]

Hi! I am not a "math" person myself, but my dh is an Actuary and he is "wowed" at Singapore also. I wanted his help picking out a math curriculum and he loves the look of this one. Although we have yet to begin it, whenever he looks at it he says, "I love this math!." That is coming from another "math guru". I'm going to trust the math people and "go for it!"

[momofone]

I have found myself asking the very same question! However, I'm gonna trust you math gurus!
Math is not my thing! However, this is encouragment for us to continue. I really like all the little pictures and all that is in the books. I have found things looking "simple", but when we get to working through it, it's not as simple as it looks!
Thanks for posting about this! We just made the switch and we're enjoying so far.

Oh and Julie those scores are terrific!! That is very impressive!

Tina

[Carrie]

I'd encourage you to trust the design of the program, as the Singapore math resulted in Singapore leading the world in math scores when comparing standardized test scores around the world. That is the why the program was brought to the U.S. (in order to give the U.S. a different type of math from what we're used to having here, which as a nation continues to leave us behind in math when compared to other countries).

While test scoring is not the end all, it does give a comparison among other kiddos in the U.S. and other countries. So, in my mind if we want a different result in math than we need to do something different from what everyone else is doing.

Our standardized testing at our house is now complete for our sons as well, and my son who is going into 5th grade next year (and has used Singapore exclusively) also scored in the 99th percentile in math. For what it's worth, my older son (who has never used Singapore in math) has much more difficulty reasoning and thinking mathematically than my second son right now, although my oldest son had always scored very high in math as well. His standardized test scores in math have dropped this past year more than I'd like (while he still pulled straight A's all year in TT) and the step-by-step approach from Teaching Textbooks the last 2 years seems to have made my oldest son drop a step back in his mathematical thinking, teaching him to rely heavily on the steps involved to get an answer rather than thinking through what is really needed to solve the problem more quickly. I truly wish I had used Singapore with him, but as an 8th grader he is ready to move forward into Pre-Algebra now. The rest of my boys other test scores remain in the 99th percentile for their cores, however the math area is one of unease for me with my oldest son right now. So, I just want you to know that our recommendation of Singapore does not come lightly or without experience with most of the math programs out there.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Mumkins]

I'm am going to stick it out with Singapore.

What will you be doing with your oldest in the fall?