Math Dilema for Bigger

Bonnie A · Post by **Bonnie A** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 3:09 pm

Well, I can't seem to decide which math program to use with Bigger for my 9, soon to be 10, year old daughter who is going into 4th grade. We have been using CLE for 3rd, which I love, but she seems to be struggling with, mainly her math facts- addition, subtractions and multiplication, yikes! She is a very distracted learner and can easily get overwhelmed by the amount of problems CLE assigns. Also, I think she may benefit from the visual and pictoral descriptions from Singapore. So I am wondering, should I just give Singapore a try, even though I like the systematic nature of CLE, and see if it might suit her better? She could use the review from 3A to help build her skills and confidence and continue with 3B or I could use 3B and 4A. Also, will Bigger's math activities work with 4A, as I only saw that it had a schedule for 3A and B?

I look forward to hearing any and all advice

Bonnie

pjdobro · Post by **pjdobro** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 8:22 pm

Bigger has math activities for 2A and 2B. After that it is suggested to use the textbooks in combination with the workbooks. You can follow the schedule for 3A/3B in the appendix of Bigger. You can give your daughter the placement test for Singapore. Here is a link to that: http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_Test_s/86.htm It's important not to help your daughter at all with the test in order to get an accurate placement. Singapore is really nice in that it is short without tons of repetition so your dd might really like that.

Bonnie A · Post by **Bonnie A** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:12 pm

Thank you for the information- I will have her do the test and see where she falls! This may be the answer to prayer we have been waiting for!

netpea · Post by **netpea** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:15 pm

You don't really need a schedule for 3A and up. We just do a lesson a day on average. If they are short, we often do lessons, if they are very long, we might only do 1/2 lesson, but it's 1 a day on average.

pjdobro · Post by **pjdobro** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 8:53 am

As I was thinking more about your dilemma last night, I had an idea. If you really like CLE math and your daughter is learning it well, you could just do less problems. It goes against everything in my being not to do all of the problems on a page, but if the concept has been grasped then it isn't necessary to do tons of problems. I'm not familiar with CLE so I don't how it is set-up but perhaps you could do just the odds or the evens instead of every single problem. That could lighten the load work load and perhaps make her more attentive. I just had that thought in case you decide you don't want to change math programs.

That being said though I love Singapore math and think it is a great math program. It really is great in teaching dc how to think mathematically and really learn the concepts not just a method. It's great for mathy people like my ds and I and even for those who aren't thrilled with math like my dd. It is quick and to the point so even though dd doesn't love math, she does well with Singapore. So if you are up for a change, I would definitely give Singapore a try.

Bonnie A · Post by **Bonnie A** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 6:51 am

Patty,

Thanks for your recommendations. Even with cutting down her work problems with CLE math, it is still a lot for her! So I have decided to give Signapore a try for this year. I am hoping for a better math experience!

Bonnie

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Math Dilema for Bigger

Math Dilema for Bigger

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