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Hello again! My daughter will be in 1st grade (6 yo in June) this fall and I've decided (with your help!) to use LHFHG as her core program, with the emerging reader schedule from Beyond. I also thought I'd use the 1A/1B math schedule from Beyond, but now I wonder if it would be better to start at the beginning and do the Earlybird books so that she really gets the right foundation. She has had a year of math in ps kindergarten, so she's not starting from scratch. She understands basic addition and subtraction although she needs a good amount of coaching to work through things. Also, if doing a problem like 3 + 4, she doesn't yet grasp that she doesn't have to actually count the 3 as "1, 2, 3" before she adds in the 4. It's a little thing, but it shows me that she still has some growing to do conceptually. I hear from you all that Singapore gets harder quickly, so I want to make sure we're ready when we get there. However, I don't want to bore her either if she's ready for more. Any thoughts from those of you who have used these levels?

Thank you so much for your help!
Erica

Hi Erica!,
I would take a minute and go take a look at the Singapore placement test. I've read here before that Singapore can be very hard if you try to place above their level, but perfect if you use their test to pick a level. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to link you to that.

Hmm.... She could probably do Singapore 1A. It's what they use when starting children at age 7, I believe, in Singapore. So I don't think you would miss anything. It does pretty much start at the beginning. That being said though, I don't know that there would be anything wrong with going through the Earlybird math at a quick pace if you think she really needs that review. You could do a couple of lessons a day this summer, just as something fun to do (because it is definitely fun!) Then you could get through most of it before starting LHFHG in the fall. But again, you would probably be okay jumping right into the 1A. I hope that helps a little!

I used Singapore's Essential Math (I think it's pretty similar to EB) last year with my DS and I've also used 1a/1b with my DD. I think your child would be fine starting with 1a, as they cover the same topics. I think it would be okay to do either really...EB would give your child an extra year to practice those math facts.

I forgot the placement test starts with 1A - thanks Kathleen for reminding me of that! I changed my post here to reflect that, and I'll just agree that looking at the skills covered in each, and then either beginning with EB 2B and finishing with 1A, or beginning with 1A and finishing with 1B would be good plans.

In Christ,
Julie

Hi Erica!

I'm thinking that the placement test for Singapore won't help you at all. The 1st level that they have the test for is 1A...and it would tell you if she's done with 1A which I know is not what you're thinking. Sooo, if I were you, I think I'd just look through the list of math concepts covered in each guide (listed in the introductions of both LHFHG & Beyond), and use that to help decide. If I were wavering between the 2, I think I'd opt for the easier one which in this case would be to just use LHFHG. I haven't used 1A & 1B yet, but have used all the other Singapore levels up through 3B...and it does get harder quite quickly! I think the idea to start with the EB 2B book is a good idea here. Then you won't have all the practice of actually forming numbers at the beginning, but you'll have more time before the concepts get harder. (You'd need one extra sticky tab in the guide to keep your place - but that's super-easy to manage! )

Kathleen

Erica,

The ladies are doing a terrific job of helping you talk through your options! From what you've shared so far, I'd lean toward having your daughter begin in EB2B and do it along with the hands-on activities in the LHFHG guide. Then, I'd move onto 1A for the last semester, using the activities in the Beyond guide. I wouldn't worry about rushing, as it will get tough soon enough. This may mean that you'll always be in a B book first each year and an A book after that, which is no problem if it fits your child best. We do it with one of my sons this way too.

Blessings,
Carrie

You definitely could begin with EB2B. My dd just turned 7 and will be in first grade as well. When I read the description of EB, I knew dd needed some of that stuff, so I went ahead and bought both EB books. I got 2A out today and let dd do some pages. Most of it will be easy for her, so we are moving quickly through it without doing Carrie's activities, unless we come to something that she needs a little extra practice. Along with a good number of pages of counting and writing numbers, 2A also includes some greater and less than, showing tens and ones, measuring, and making halves and quarters. It will be something fun to do over the summer, just to keep some things fresh in her mind. So, more than likely, we will end up beginning the year with EB2B. I know that one definitely has things in it that dd needs, like counting money and telling time, as well as the basic addition and subtraction review. HTH

We opted to use Earlybird 2A and B with Little Hearts this year for my 1st grade ds (turned 7 two months ago). For him it was a good choice, even though it was really easy. He has struggled a bit with learning to read, so it was nice to have Math be a breeze. It moved quickly, so just around his 7th B'day he started 1A and loves it.

So just a thought to consider how your child is doing in her other subjects, and whether it might be nice to have Math be easy, or whether she is ready for a challenge.

Thanks for all of your thoughtful replies. What great ideas! I do think I will start with EB 2A over the summer, moving quickly until we hit anything that needs more time. I'm fine starting each year in a B book if that is what works! There are so many little things to figure out being new to HSing, but it is all so exciting too. Thank you again! This is such a helpful board (and thanks, Carrie, for being here giving more of your time and wisdom!).

Blessings,
Erica