Math question

[PoppyD]

Hi ladies
I have a math question.
My oldest daughter is using CLE math. We formerly used Horizons but switched to CLE and it's working great for her and for me as well. I learned that way in school. Very traditional math.
My 2nd daughter doesn't like CLE or horizons. We tried Singapore and math mammoth briefly. They both were difficult for me to teach but my daughter loved Singapore. She's in horizons now and dreads math each day. I should add - she's very good at math. Very quick. Very sharp. I think Singspore could be a good fit for her but I just didn't feel super comfortable teaching it. Any suggestions or thoughts?
Thanks!

[MelInKansas]

What level of Singapore does she place in? It would be hard to switch mid-stream to a new program you haven't taught and aren't comfortable with. My suggestion would be maybe find someone you know who has been doing Singapore and ask for their help. See if they are willing to do a few lessons with your daughter while you watch, or find her a tutor who's familiar with Singapore or can work with another program your daughter seems to like more. I do think Singapore works especially well with kids who pick up on the concepts easily. They don't end up doing a lot of problems or exercises in one concept at once. But it "spirals" back around and they end up covering it well in the end. I do find the materials pretty easy to use, but I have been doing Singapore since the beginning and I like math.

[PoppyD]

She would place in either 2A or 2B. I'd probably start 2A just to be safe. I actually don't mind math. But I just learned it more the Abeka or Saxon way.....

[MelInKansas]

See now with 2A and 2B you can still use Carrie's activities to go along with it and I find those easier to follow and use than the Singapore textbooks. I think they are in the Bigger guide. My kids love them because many of them involve food.

The "Mental math" is different and would take some getting used to. My father taught me math that way so it makes so much sense to me. Starting back that early though, you'll pick up on it quickly. And really, by 4A or so, Singapore starts looking like every other math book to me - lots more problems and the more traditional way of introducing concepts - it's been heavy on fractions and decimals anyway which it seems there are fewer teaching methods for those, again to me they all seem about the same.

[Nealewill]

I agree with Melissa, the hands on stuff that is in the guide is great and very helpful. If your dd is mathy, I would definitely switch to Singapore. I actually can't remember how I learned math but I am very good at math and know lots and lots of tricks. My oldest was terrible at math at first and she really struggled. We tried a traditional approach and that went terrible. We switched to a very hands on method (not Singapore) and that was much better. She actually struggled with math until this year. Last year we ended up switching to Singapore because the other math program remained too hands on and it just wasn't efficient. Plus she started struggling significantly all over again. After we switched to Singapore last year, we struggled some more for the year but it was MUCH better. This year she is doing 5A and she is flying through it. We haven't had any days with tears. With my younger two kids, my youngest has used Singapore and other workbooks from the start along with the other hands on program. She loves to do "school work" so she was always begging for more stuff. She completed 1A and 1B on her own. Over the summer I gave her 2A to do alone. She soared with it. But last year I decided that she just didn't need a tedious program. My youngest will be finishing 2B right after Christmas. It has been wonderful. She is already ahead and Singapore has done a great job of giving her tools and thought process she needs to succeed. My son switched from the hands on program last year in the spring because he was bored. He is mathy as well and doesn't need so much help. I was really worried about switching him because I was so used to the other program methods and worried that he would struggle if all I had was the Singapore Student Text. He has done great!!!! I couldn't be happier with using it. I can't believe I didn't start using it earlier LOL.

I think that since your youngest is starting off so young in the program that you will be fine using it. It will teach new ways to see information and she will be learning all the tools and concepts pretty much from the beginning. Also, I do think that one thing that does somewhat set Singapore apart from texts is that you don't need to do so many review problems and you don't have nearly as much calculations. Also, I love the fact that Singapore focuses on thinking about things. With other programs, they spend a lot of time teaching rote memorization. I personally struggle with memorization in general. For me, I have really enjoyed teaching my kids how to think about things. Plus, I have learned a few things on my own as well.

[my3sons]

You can also double-check placement by giving the Singapore math placement test here...
http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_Test_s/86.htm

Be sure you use the Primary Math U.S. Edition's placement tests. We also have loved using Carrie's hands-on math activities - using them the third time right now with our son in 2A/2B. You can check out some of my weekly check-in posts to see pics of some of them if that is helpful - just scroll down to my3sons Bigger Hearts for His Glory posts...
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=16772
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=16792
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=16800

We love Singapore! It's tough, but it is an awesome math program! I love that it's strong on mental math, it doesn't take long to do, it makes our kids think about "why" they are doing what they are doing rather than just trying rote steps to get the answer, it has fun fantastic hands-on math activities that the kids love thanks to Carrie/HOD, and it has helped all of our dc become excellent at math! (And not all were so naturally.) HTH!

In Christ,
Julie