Early Bird Math or Horizons?

[shaffer96]

Hi I am so excited to have found HOD! I have been researching curriculum for weeks trying to find something like this! It seems to be exactly what we have been searching for. I love the way it is centered around Christ! Our daughter will be 5 in June and we have been researching the LHFHG curriculum for Kindergarten. I was wondering if you can substitute another Math program in or is it best to use the Early Bird Math? We had already decided on doing Horizons Math before we found LHFHG. Now we are trying to decide what would be better. I can't view sample pages of the Early Bird Math, so its hard to compare the two. Would the Horizons Math be ok to use with the program? Any thoughts on the Early Bird Math?
Thanks for any input! I can't wait to research more about the curriculum!
Laura

[Mom2Monkeys]

I highly recommend the Earlybird Math!! Horizons is a great program, but it's very step-by-step, formulaic, and time consuming. It also jumps around A LOT. It's not strong in mental math or teaching to think mathematically. Earlybird math is a great foundation the leads into a very strong, conceptual math program that teaches mental math and how to think mathematically. HOD also has awesome and easy activities planned for each lesson. The activities and lessons are quick and hold kids' attention and are very effective. It would make your day much easier to do what's in the guide, and give your little one a very solid and enjoyable start in math!!

On a side note, I did Horizons with my dd who is now 8 and we are having to go back and relearn everything we did with Horizons b/c she wasn't getting concepts, even though she could do the work...it was the step by step and after a while, the steps get blurry and there's no concept to fall back on.

[Kathleen]

Hi Laura!

Welcome to HOD! You are going to have so much fun with LHFHG. I am thoroughly enjoying the beginning of it this year with my kids! I love the focus HOD has on the Lord and our relationship and response to Him. AND, we're having a whole lot of fun ...and the kids are learning a lot. Perfect fit for us!

HOD's programs will most definitely work with whatever math you choose. You will either do what the math box says, or complete a lesson of math from the curriculum of your choice.

I do have to agree with Tabitha, in that I'm a big fan of Singapore math after using it with my kids. I didn't start out with Singapore, but switched my oldest to it last year. It really does an excellent job of helping kids learn to think mathematically. My kids "get" what they're doing and it seems to make sense. Besides doing a good job, the math lessons in Singapore (with Carrie's hands-on activities in the beginning guides) are very time-conscious. This may not seem as important when you're just starting out...but if you can look down the road to having 3 kids to teach math to, it will be very important! We went from spending an hour on math in 2nd grade to 20 min in 3rd grade - and Grant was learning WAY more with Singapore! When we were spending an hour a day with Saxon, it was all easy for Grant, too. He understood everything, it was just time-consuming. For me, spending 3 hours (or more) with my kids in math was not going to fit with where I wanted to invest my time in teaching them as the years went on. I love math, but didn't want it as the hub of the school day. Using the HOD guides as-is keeps the balance that I wanted.

Anyway, I'm a math-lover, and I'm sold on Singapore. I'm really enjoying starting out with it with Allison this year.
Kathleen

[SoaringEagle]

I love Singapore's Early Bird math. It is fun, short and kids learn a lot. I recommend it.

[countrymom]

I am not familiar with Horizons, but I am very impressed with Singapore's Earlybird math. Our son started LHFHG early (4 1/2 yrs) and has done very well with it. I really like the way it is laid out and the step progression from hands on to pictures, preparing for eventual abstract. Also the activities Carrie provides that go with Earlybird are a great supplement. I struggled with math, although I can do it now, so I am very particular when looking at math programs. So far Singapore is a winner for us.

[my3sons]

Hi Laura, and welcome to the HOD Board! I have to say ditto to what's been said. Earlybird combined with HOD's hands-on lessons just can't be beat. We've done it twice now, with 2 very different children, and loved it. Plus, you'll get to enjoy continuing with HOD's hands-on plans and Singapore in the subsequent years. Have fun with LHFHG - it's such a super way to teach!

In Christ,
Julie

[shaffer96]

Thanks for all of the input. I have been researching Singapore Math and it does look great. My only concern is that it doesn't follow state and national sequencing standards for teaching concepts. Does this mean that if my child were to have to go to public school for some reason in the future that she may be behind in some areas not yet covered?

[Mom4Him]

Hello Laura! I just wanted to say hello & welcome!!
Last year around this time, I too had been researching for hours & hours & weeks & weeks trying to find the perfect curriculum... I wasn't finding it- so I started researching materials & writing down my favorites for everything in order to put together my own homeschool for our kiddos ... it was taking FOREVER , but then I found HOD - it has almost all the materials I had come up with & in such a perfect layout- far better than I could have ever come up with on my own- & it's all done for me!! And everything is centered on Christ- what a blessing!! I am so glad you found HOD too.
We will be using LHFHG at our house next year too & are very excited! I will look forward to sharing stories with you about our year!
Jessica

[Mom2Monkeys]

Thanks for all of the input. I have been researching Singapore Math and it does look great. My only concern is that it doesn't follow state and national sequencing standards for teaching concepts. Does this mean that if my child were to have to go to public school for some reason in the future that she may be behind in some areas not yet covered?

Singapore math is generally rather advanced compared to pub school math. If anything, I suspect she'd be ahead if she had to go into pub school. I seriously would not worry about that at all!! Many kids coming to SM from pub school will place 1-2 or more levels below their grade level.