Singapore manipulatives??

[nowweare6]

Hello: While looking at the Singapore website for placement info, I came across a chart with manipulatives that can be used at each of the levels. I'm assuming that they are very optional as Carrie does not mention them in the catalog but wondered if anyone invested in any and if they were worth it. I am going to do Bigger with extensions. I have two kids that will be working on Singapore 2a and b and the other two I'll probably put into 3a and b. I think I am probably starting them at a level that is lower than they would perform on the tests but would really like to review and progress through the books so that I am confident they have mastered it. My kids range in age from 8-11. I like the idea of manipulatives to help them visual concepts but don't want to waste my money. Anyone use them? Thanks, Monica

[3whizlets]

Hi Monica,

I have been using Singapore Math for quite a few years exclusively with my oldest. She is now in 3A. I have to say that we have rarely used manipulatives. I will occassionally borrow her sister's (from another math program) just to mix it up but I don't think they are necessary. Now of course, if it helps your child, then by all means use them! Just wanted to say that we have not found them to be necessary.

[Kathleen]

I've been using Singapore 2A & B this year, and we're almost through it. THe activities that Carrie has written in the guide use things that you're likely to have around the house. There are several math lessons that double as snacks by using things like marshmallows, m&m's, goldfish crackers, raisins, pretzels... Now, I haven't always had exactly what was reccommended on hand, but it's so easy to sub and still get the concept. For example we didn't have fish crackers on the day they were in the lesson, but orange m&m's in our ocean were just as effective. I haven't encountered anything where I needed specific manipulatives at this level. And, once you are at the 3A level, the lessons are more pictoral and less hands-on, so it won't be an issue there.

Kathleen

[Tansy]

I had been using the M.U.S for my eldest who has a very concrete mind, no flexibility at all. So we have the manipulatives in the house and my younger one has seen them used for math so she kinda expected me to use them with her math. Its been fun we do the stuff on the pages with them and she loves it and gets it, but I don't think its necessary.

The nice thing I noticed about using uniform manipulatives with my eldest is that they are always the same. The never vary in size like raisins did. I did use cuisiner rods with my eldest with singapore 1a and 1b and it helped. They are very inexpensive, but are not marked with the number of units in each one.

There are all sorts of manipulatives around. You can get uniform circle counters at big box store (tarjay or stuff-mart) you can go to a education type store and get cuisiner rods, or base ten, even a used set of M.U.S. (don't pay full price if you can help it!)

I think its all up to your child's learning style. Do you have one that likes to have hands on experience, or thinks in pictures? Then they will help lots! If they don't then I wouldn't bother and just use the stuff the book tells you too.
Edit
I went and looked at the site.. and the base ten set is just like our m.u.s. set except our set has different colors for each block. The base ten set shown is more pricey than the Base M.U.S. (retail) set. and Cuisiner rods are under $15 most places I looked. hope that helps.