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We've been using the U.S. edition of Singapore and love it so far, I have no complaints! But lately I've been thinking about switching to the Standards ed. because my state requires annual testing for homeschoolers and the Standards ed. seems more in line with state standards than the U.S. ed. Is anyone else in a similar situation? My main reason for NOT wanting to switch to the Standards ed. is because the workbooks and textbooks have more pages and I'm hesitatant to add to my kid's math workload. I'm just not sure what to do. I realize that I wouldn't be able to follow HOD's schedule with the Standards, but that's fine, I don't mind scheduling it out myself. Has anyone switched editions? What do you think?

I have switched editions and there is more review more often that we have found helpful.I can not speak on state requirements, they are not an issue for me but I do not think the extra expense of the standards is worth it. Furthermore, I have been disappointed many, many times with the "editing" of the new standards editions. We have found many mistakes throughout, especially when checking answers. This has been frustrating at times. I had used the US Editions thru 4th grade with my eldest and I do not remember anywhere near the amount of mistakes in those editions then in the new standard. Hope you find the info you need to make your decision.

Sara,
We have used Singapore (U.S. Ed from K through 3A). I own 3B of both Standards and U.S. because I was curious in August about all the hubbub regarding the new Singapore edition. The workbooks are identical in appearance but with some additional review work (the review basically occurs more frequently but the type of review is the same). I was hoping for the addition of some simple drill pages but none of that. Many (most) pages are identical to U.S. ED but with different looking cartoon people.

I was also curious about the TM's and bought the Standards one. It overwhelmed me (just like the U.S. Ed's even though they are easier to follow---but I don't use them unless I really am lazy that day and use them for checking dd9's work, I don't find them getting used any more often than my U.S. Ed's did, which is maybe every other month for one lesson). Yet, it is nice to have them when you can't remember conversion rates or want some help on how to explain a math concept.

The Textbook is what looks so very different. Basically...it has more color and a LOT more work each day. We are using 3B Standards because I let dd pick and she wanted the color text. She has begged me to go back to U.S. Ed since September because the text work (traditional blackboard type teaching work) is so much longer. The other difference is scope and sequence to a small degree. This year we are doing some $ work and graphing work that we wouldn't otherwise be doing but dd had that in a different (earlier) Singapore book and, besides, she is using this in the "real world" now for purchasing dollar store toys every so often. She is breezing through all that "extra" work (and I'm not even making her do it now). She'd all ready done graphing in earlier Singapore books and it is self-explanatory, anyway.

We will be going back to U.S. Ed. for 4A. We spend about 15 additional minutes a day doing math now PLUS there are about 50 extra pages in each workbook so we have to double up on Exercises (that are LONGER). I've done a lot of comparing as we've gone along through 3B and many times one exercise in Standards is 2 exercises in U.S. (my dd gets weary doing so much work all at once). I end up having her do odds or evens and help a lot more with word problems to get the work done since there are more. In U.S. Ed., she did ALL problems independently as possible. I don't see the need for the new scope/sequence and hate skipping a bunch of pages in the text and workbook of Standards ED (somehow, it makes me feel like I'm not doing my job well). The extra 15 minutes could be used on math flashcards or some fun computer drill that would probably be time better spent then more of the same problems. The text, if done as written can take at least 20-30 minutes to present (this week we had some 40 min. lessons!), then the workbook would take an additional 30. That's too much for mental math type math work in my opinion for a 9 year old. I think Singapore U.S. Ed. is a lot more concise and gets the job done just as well. If your child NEEDS extra work and you find yourself making up additional problems during your textbook explanations then Standards might be perfect. I wouldn't use it if U.S. ED is going well.

I'm pretty opinionated about this after a lot of wishing that I wouldn't have made the switch. I thought it wouldn't be THAT different but it's really been challenging in not such a positive way. If you are in any level prior to 3, I would definitely not miss out on Carrie's math boxes. I think it would be hard and often frustrating to try to keep on schedule while using Standards. My dd misses those boxes a lot now that she's in Preparing and is enjoying my 6 year olds math box time wishing she could go back to fun math. Those boxes have very positive memories in our homeschool!

Amy

Wow, thank you *so* much to both of you! You have no idea how helpful that was! My gut instinct is just to stay with the US ed. since it's working and I know I already like it. I do not want to add extra work to our math...I like how our lessons are short and sweet!

I think if dc are doing well with Singapore and are placed according to where they should be within grade level, they will do well with testing. Our dc have - with some other math programs, I know my friends have said their dc had never been exposed to some of the concepts on the standardized test. Not so with Singapore! It covers everything. I just wanted to reassure you that Singapore was brought to the U.S. because of its outstanding standardized test results. Your dd should be prepared if she's doing well and on grade level for Singapore (keep in mind Singapore is one year advanced).

In Christ,
Julie

my3sons wrote:I think if dc are doing well with Singapore and are placed according to where they should be within grade level, they will do well with testing. Our dc have - with some other math programs, I know my friends have said their dc had never been exposed to some of the concepts on the standardized test. Not so with Singapore! It covers everything. I just wanted to reassure you that Singapore was brought to the U.S. because of its outstanding standardized test results. Your dd should be prepared if she's doing well and on grade level for Singapore (keep in mind Singapore is one year advanced).

In Christ,
Julie

Yeah, I think you are right Julie. And with our state's testing, I don't have to report their scores, I just need to keep them in my files. Thanks so much for thinking this through with me!

Sara,

I'm so glad that the ladies on the board were able to help you process through this question. We had similar thoughts as those the ladies already shared when we compared the two programs as well (as you can see by my response on this thread when the new editions first came out): viewtopic.php?f=6&t=727

Blessings,
Carrie