Switching from R&S Math to Singapore

[Tiffini]

Please give me your advice if you can help me with this dilemma. I am currently using R&S Math for my twin 8 yos. We aer finishing Grade 2 books this summer and are almost done. R&S Math is almost all fact memorization. It works just fine for my oldest dd. However, my 8 yos hate math. In fact, my ds cries whenever we have to do it. He is actually quite bright at real life math problems, for instance in the store and figuring out cost of things. But, page after page of math facts absolutely cause him great distress. He can't face it. My dd does better than he does, but she struggles with just memorizing facts as well.

I have the Bigger guide and I love the activities Carrie includes. I think just those would add some fun to the math lesson. R&S doesn't really use things like that. My question is - at Grade 3 is it too confusing to switch to an entirely different kind of math approach? Should I continue with R&S and just try to add some fun activities? Is it possible that my ds's brain just doesn't work with only facts and he would respond better to the Singapore approach? I'm nervous about switching math again. We started with BJU, then went to R&S, and now ???? I just want to find what works, but don't want to totally confuse my kids in the process. Do you have any advice for me? We are starting back up in 3 weeks and I'm trying to get everything ironed out.

[Jen in Va]

It sounds like you have given this type of math instruction plenty of time to see if it will work for your child or not. I have had similar decisions to make with my children. My eldest is a math whiz--he finished algebra in 7th grade and did AP calculus and calculus independent study his last two years of high school (engineering student now). He probably would have flourished under any math program I gave him. With him we used Horizons in the very early years, followed briefly by Saxon, and then BJUP. I had my daughter in similar textbooks, just not as advanced as early as with my son. She hit a wall with BJUP algebra 1. I searched and searched and finally decided to give Teaching Textbooks a try--I was reluctant due to the price, but had to make a change as BJ was just not working for her. TT has been a real blessing for her and me.

All that to say, if you have given a curriculum an honest shot, and if it isn't working out--make a change. Math is math, especially in the early grades where they pretty much learn the same things--the method of teaching the concepts is what is different. If you are thinking about switching to Singapore, which I am loving with my youngest, btw., have your children take the placement tests from the Singapore site. This should give you a fairly accurate picture of where they would place in the program. I, too, love the activities that Carrie includes with the math lessons--she takes concrete activities and shows the children the why and how of math rather than relying strictly on memorizing facts. Now fact memorization has its place, but imo, it shouldn't be the only way a child learns math. Be aware that Carrie does not include these activities for levels beyond Singapore 3a/3b, I believe, so you will need to buy the Singapore TM/guides after that point. Of course, you would need to do this if your child doesn't line up with the math level covered in the Bigger manual's math activities, as well.

Hope this helps!

[inHistiming]

Tiffini,

Again, it sounds like we're doing similar things in this area. Hailey used Singapore for 1st grade/my son LifePacs that year, for 2nd she used Horizons 2 because it was left-over unused/son Saxon 5/4, and next year we're switching all the kids to Singapore.

I've wondered myself if we should just stick to what they've been using, but I really wanted to have them all in the same program if possible. I had DH look over Saxon 6/5 and Singapore level 3 that ds will be using. He gave his approval to go ahead with the Singapore, because he thinks our son will learn and retain the concepts better than he did with Saxon. I know all kids are different, and it may not be a fit for your dc, but I say give it a try. All the curriculums cover the same things, just not necessarily in the same order. By taking the placement test, your dc will start in the right spot, and I'm sure they'll do fine.

I also like the more economical price of Singapore when compared to Horizons, Saxon, and many others. The Math activities that Carrie places in the manual are great...but you should be able to use the workbooks without them if you need to. Since I have Beyond...and Hailey will be in level 2, I plan to still have that out to access the Math activities. And we'll do the ones in Bigger...with ds for level 3b.

Anyway, I hope I've been able to encourage you a bit. There seems to be a lot of adjustment the first few years...I've only done this for 2! I don't know how long you've been doing this, but I've also seen veteran homeschoolers who find the best fit after years of searching...so I say keep on looking 'til you hit what works best for your dc.

[Tiffini]

Thanks, gals, for your advice and encouragement. Still working through the whole math thing. This will be my 6th year of hs'ing and still trying to figure out Math!! I'm actually considering getting really crazy and putting my oldest in TT where she fits which is level 6. Just the thought of only having to teach the younger two math sounds so nice. I checked out the samples of TT online with my dd and she loved it and so did I. The price is really up there, but when I consider that I wouldn't have to teach math at all to her and I can reuse the program for the next two, it doesn't sound like that much money! Since I already own R&S 3, I am thinking I will try it with the twins again next year. I mentioned to my ds about switching and he flipped out. He absolutely hates change. Even if he doesn't like what he is doing currently, he would rather do that than change things.

[MamaBear23Cubs]

You can still do the math activities along with the R&S math. We have stopped now but when we start back up (we been stopping and going like every other week) we will be doing division. I will be using candy instead of the rasins. DD cannot wait for math, though I think it's more because she gets to eat the candy.