Nervous about math...

[hs.mama07]

Before discovering HOD, we had planned on using a popular homeschool math program that included an instructional dvd—they teach you how to teach your child. Now that I’ve fallen in love with HOD and have read all the wonderful reviews about the hand’s on math projects in the early years, I’m torn. I don’t want to miss out on HOD's curriculum, but I’m concerned about teaching math in the older years without the use of the instructional dvd. If I only have a textbook and a workbook, I may understand how to do the math myself, but I’m afraid I won’t know how to present it in a way that will make sense. I realize we could always switch programs if something wasn't working, but it'd be nice to stay put if possible. I'd happily start with Singapore in kindergarten, if I felt confident about it. Any words of wisdom or reassurance for a non-mathy mommy?

[pjdobro]

I will just say that I think the Singapore text does a good job of presenting the information, but I am a mathy person. There are always other helps later on if you feel you need them like the home instructor's guide or the regular teacher's guide. We're enjoying Singapore here and I'm really liking that it presents a lot of the information the way that I think, maybe that is one of the reasons I like it so much.

[OneFunSon]

We have used Singapore from 1st gr, currently doing 6B. We have loved it and I think it is a really great program! I understand how it may not be for everyone though. I would really try to research it as much as you can. Have you been to the singapore math site to look at samples?
A couple thoughts:
1. There are Home Instructor Guides to help you. I did not use these much but I can see they would be useful in about 3rd or 4th gr when you are learning to use the bar diagrams to solve word problems. I believe they do give extra help in presenting concepts. Also, I haven't used this, but there is a discussion board where you can ask questions and get help.
2. Singapore is not easy to switch into after about 3rd or 4th grade. So it would be better to try it, and if you didn't like it to switch to something else, than to decide you want to try it later.
3. If you start at the beginning you will be learning the Singapore way of looking at math right along with your child and I don't think you have to be really mathy in the early elementary years to teach the concepts. Singapore uses pictures to present concepts which you can easily translate into phyical objects if you want, and maybe Carrie does this in the early guides. I didn't find HOD until later so I'm not sure how math is presented/scheduled in the early guides.
3. At least in the later guides the math is scheduled separately in the back of the guide so you can easily choose to use another program if you decide Singapore is not for you.
Hope this helps!
Karen

[jenntracy]

many like Singapore but you don't have to use HOD suggested math. if you were happy with what you were going to use before finding HOD you can still use it. we use a math that has DVD instruction but it also has teacher manual. We are very happy with it.it doesn't affect any of of the guide. we just skip the math box in guide and replace with our own. that is what is great about HOD. The flexibility.

Jenn D.

[Daph]

I don't know how all the programs in that particular popular homeschool program are - but I know of a mom who uses it and her daughter only watches the instructional dvd one day out of the week. I decided to not use it because I want instruction on more days, so we went with a different one.

[Carrie]

One thing we've found is that it is easier to start out with Singapore than it is to transfer into it later. So, if you're thinking you may like to try it, it would be good to do it in Kindergarten along with the hands-on in the LHFHG guide. Another thing that we've found to usually be true is that if a parent does choose to move their child out of Singapore into a different program later, the child can typically transfer out of Singapore very well into another program without much problem and the child is almost never behind and is often ahead. So, this makes the risk less in trying it from an early age.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Daph]

I have to agree with Carrie. As someone who has switched from Singapore to another program, the transition was very easy, and a lot of the program was review (which wasn't a bad thing). I'm starting out my youngest in Singapore, even though I plan to switch her to the same program (if need be) that her sister is now using. We loved SIngapore and we were very sad to let it go.

[hs.mama07]

Thanks everyone! That was exactly what I needed to hear and I do feel much better about trying Singapore to see if it works. Can't wait to get started!

[Daph]

One thing we've found is that it is easier to start out with Singapore than it is to transfer into it later.

I agree. Singapore is a more mental Math, and it's different from a lot of other programs. It also goes at a different pace. In second grade, they're already learning multiplication. We switched over from another Math in second grade, and had to start with 1B. The way that it teaches kids to work the Math problems is really brilliant.