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Math woes

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:25 pm
by Mumkins
I've tried just about every math you could think of- saxon, horizons, BJU, Math Mammoth, Teaching Textbooks and MUS. Some twice. I also bought Singapore, but I just couldn't figure it out. It looked like all you did was look at pages.

Because I have switched so much, my 4th grade DD places around mid grade 2 in most math curriculums. I'm thinking of just putting her in TT3. Though I'm hesitant due to bade reviews. My oldest son is mathematically gifted. I want to put him in TT3 as well, but feel even more guilty cause I'm afraid he wont live up to his potential.

I resisted Rod and Staff English for a long time, but bought it for this year and it looks really good! Maybe I should just do Singapore too. But I just can't figure out how to teach Singapore or what they're suppose to do. Am I the only one who has problems with this?

I know whatever I choose, I must make this *THE ONE* and stay with it. I'm worried I'll never catch my oldest up.

What should I do?

Also, what math is recommended after Singapore?

Re: Math woes

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:48 pm
by blessedmomof4
If you are using the Heart of Dakota guides through Bigger Hearts for His Glory, with Singapore through 2A/2B, the daily lesson plans have short easy activities to teach the concept for the day's lesson. Then your student does the assigned workbook pages. This way, you only need the workbooks and not the textbooks. From Singapore 3A on, you need the workbooks plus the textbooks. You can use the textbook pages to work with your child to understand the concepts, then assign them the workbook pages independently.
Also, if you are not sure what level of Singapore to start with, the placement test is a big help.
http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_s/12.htm

Re: Math woes

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:32 am
by 1GirlTwinBoys
Have you tried CLE math? You could order a free light unit and see how that goes. I think there are placement tests to see where your child would be. That program gets GREAT reviews.

Re: Math woes

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:08 am
by my3sons
Math can be a struggle, and Carrie herself had been through many math changes with her oldest ds Cole. These changes and struggles she went through with him led her to research math possibilities for multiple years before choosing Singapore math. This research also resulted in her writing some excellent hands-on math plans in her guides from Singapore's Earlybird math through 2B. We've used Singapore along with HOD's plans from the start, and I can assure you Singapore math has much more to offer than looking at pages! :D It has mental math at its core, and that is what real life math is all about. Here are some posts that may help you think through Singapore math; on one of them Carrie explains her reasons for choosing it:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4271&p=31537#p31537
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=112

HOD makes sure Singapore math is written into their guides as an option, which is why it is one of the "choices" in the catalog and online. You are certainly welcome to research other math programs out there - and there are many! :) But HOD will be the best place to find out about Singapore, so if you have more questions about Singapore, be sure to ask away! :)

In Christ,
Julie