Repeating a level of Singapore...

Leslie in TN · Post by **Leslie in TN** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:18 am

(cross-posted from another board)

I would appreciate some help in formulating a plan for dd's math next year..

As background, I have twin girls (9) who have always worked at the same level. We have used SM 1A-3B along with another program to supplement. We finished 3B about 2 months ago, and have been doing other math activities since then.

My second dd has difficulty concentrating.. is the "spacy type," but has always seemed to do okay on the material as long as I am available to help. I gave both girls the 3B placement test the other day, to see how much of the concepts have "stuck" and determine their readiness for 4A. First dd did fine, about 80-85%. Second dd, well, bombed.

Some of her mistakes were simple calculation errors, but she made so many content errors and seemed so lost that there is no question it would be good to redo 3B. Yesterday I had her take the 3A test, and to my surprise she got about 70% on it, however nearly all of her errors were calculation-based (within the word problems).

So all that to ask.. what would be my best course of action for her? Should I repeat the 3A and 3B texts this year, maybe using Extra Practice instead of re-doing the workbook? Adding in IP in places? Or perhaps there are other SM materials that I don't know about that would be more suitable for this type of thing.

Thank you so much in advance for any help you can provide!

lovetobehome · Post by **lovetobehome** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:00 am

Hi Leslie, I wish I had more helpful advice....I don't use SM, but when I thought my son needed some more review before going to the next level in the math we were using, I decided to switch to another program just for that year. I thought it might be painful for both of us to re-do the same thing we had just done. And I didn't feel he was ready for the scope and sequence in the next level. So, we found another curriculum that was kind of middle of the road, and did that for a year. Then, he gained confidence and mastered skills, and the next year he was ready. So, maybe this would be an option?

Sandi_NC · Post by **Sandi_NC** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:42 pm

Hi Leslie,

We are just getting ready to start 3A/B ourselves, but I was thinking you could either work through the Extra Practice, Intensive Practice or I see that RR carries Singapore Word Practice books (Challenging Word Problems) for add'l practice with the Word Problems.

We faced the same sort of problem while working through R&S. We got about half way through the 4th grade math book and hit a brick wall. We practiced and worked through our problem areas, all to no avail. So we put R&S away and I bought Singapore. We started back at 2A/B and worked through them pretty quickly but they needed the exposure to a different 'type' of thinking. Singapore is working so well for them that we are sticking with it for however long it continues to work.

If it were me

I'd consider picking up some of the extra Singapore books (EP, IP and/or CWP) and work through those, using the texts as necessary. Maybe your girl(s) just need some extra practice and add'l exposure and eventually it will 'catch'.

HTH,
Sandi

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:52 am

Sandi_NC wrote: If it were me I'd consider picking up some of the extra Singapore books (EP, IP and/or CWP) and work through those, using the texts as necessary. Maybe your girl(s) just need some extra practice and add'l exposure and eventually it will 'catch'.

HTH,
Sandi

Hi there, Leslie! It's great that you are so on top of knowing how your dc are really doing in math! Good job, Mom!!!

I'd say I agree with Sandi. I think it would be a good idea to do some of the extra Singapore books and work through those instead of repeating the same math. One thing I've learned the hard way is to never make children feel like they are bad at math - not that I have ever said that, but just them picking up on my frustration with things, or them noticing they're repeating a level, could be enough to give them a lasting impression that they are not good at math. So, your just being very positive and encouraging about this (and I can tell you are already very much that kind of person naturally)

will help them feel that this is just the "natural" thing you do next in math.

The younger HOD guides have great hands-on math activities that you could use to reinforce concepts that they're finding harder to understand. Beyond... has hands-on activities for 1A/1B, and Bigger... has hands-on activities for 2A/2B. If you own either of those guides, you may want to repeat any of those hands-on activities that match the concepts in the extra practice books of 3A/3B. The "key idea" in the math box would help you match them up. Even if you've done the hands-on math activities with these HOD guides already, repeating them would be a great way - and a very fun way - to review them! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Sandi_NC · Post by **Sandi_NC** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:14 am

my3sons wrote:One thing I've learned the hard way is to never make children feel like they are bad at math - not that I have ever said that, but just them picking up on my frustration with things, or them noticing they're repeating a level, could be enough to give them a lasting impression that they are not good at math. So, your just being very positive and encouraging about this (and I can tell you are already very much that kind of person naturally) will help them feel that this is just the "natural" thing you do next in math.

Julie,

You brought up an excellent point! This is an area *I* have struggled with greatly ~ I am having to work very hard not to show my frustrations when we are struggling with an area (math, reading, comprehension etc). I never realized how my emotions actually showed on my face, in my motions and in my voice.

I'm very much looking forward to starting HOD, especially for the hands-on math activities. We've done so much book work that we never really got a chance to 'play' together and I feel that HOD is going to help us learn those things together.

Blessings,
Sandi

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:23 am

You and I are 2 peas in a pod, Sandi!

I have never had a "poker face" - it doesn't take my dc long to be able to read my real emotions just by looking at my face. This has been an area of struggle for me too - especially in the area of math flashcards and phonics.

I have to make myself be patient and cheerful, when I'm sometimes really feeling impatient and frustrated.

You're going to love all of the fun hands-on "play" in HOD, and I can't wait for you to start!

In Christ,
Julie

Leslie in TN · Post by **Leslie in TN** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:51 am

Thanks for your replies, ladies! I believe I will do the Extra Practice/IP combo for next year and just give her some time to "grow" a little in math.

I was pretty sure that was the way I was leaning, but it's great to get some confirmation from you wise ladies first!

netpea · Post by **netpea** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:00 am

Another thought.

after my son completed 1A/1B, he wasn't really ready to move on to 2A/2B yet, so we got the book Total Math, Grade 2 and worked through that then went back to 2A/2B. It is a big math workbook, I bought it for $5 on clearance at Walmart, I don't know if they still sell it.

You can get it online from School Specialty publishing here:
http://www.schoolspecialtypublishing.co ... d=157&pg=3

They have books for Grades PK - 6. He is almost done with Singapore 2B now and I think we may do some of the Total math grade 3 over the summer before starting Singapore 3A/3B in the fall.

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Repeating a level of Singapore...

Repeating a level of Singapore...

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