Use Singapore and TT for my 4th grader?

[Michelle]

Hi! Another thread is going around about Singapore math being "enough" and I saw a reply by Carrie that made me think I should pose this question. Rather than just go ahead with my own thoughts.

My dd will begin Singapore math 1A in the Fall with LHFHG. My ds will be doing Preparing... then and will be considered 4th grade. He can't test higher than level 2 in Singapore in the mental math portion. So... I was thinking that I could just start him at square one with Singaore math and my dd and ds could do math together (level 1 for both). Now, since I don't want him to fall behind in learning new concepts (ie. division) I was going to get him Teaching Textbooks to do on his own also. So he will basically be doing 2 math programs- Level 1 in Singapore and also level 4 or 5 in TT.

Does that sound too weird? Any thoughts on the matter?

Thanks! Michelle

[inHistiming]

Maybe you could start him with Singapore now (or once you're finished with what your using now) and do that over the summer. Then, once the new year gets here, start him in TT at the 4th grade level. Or, you could use both and only do TT 3 days a week and Singapore 2 days a week? I think it could work, but you'd want to make sure you're not doing two full math programs ever day or you may both get overloaded. My two cents, anyway. I'm sure others will be along to offer their thoughts.

[Mom2Monkeys]

If you do plan to do TT, I'd look at the TOC for 4 and 5, b/c most kids will do well in the level up from their grade.

Also, if you plan to do the regular pace of Singapore starting at 1A, I don't see why that would be a problem to add in for him on top of TT. It's a different method, but will be quick easy for him and not take long. If you plan to go through rather quickly, you could do 1A and B first semester, then move on to 2A and possibly some/all of 2B for 2nd semester and start on 3A in 5th moving slightly faster if you wanted to "catch up"- maybe doing 3A/B and 4A in 5th and 4B/5A in 6th. You'd be getting a solid program in 6th with 5B/6A to move into Pre-Alg/Alg 1 with Carrie's rec in 8th (I think she is leaning toward VideoText which will cover Pre-Alg.) If you did this, I don't see a need for TT unless you have to test each year (or really, you could still relax about it if you don't have to answer to anyone like here in Arkansas). Also including math in the summer time can help slow the school year pace and still play catch up.

Clear as mud? LOL
Just trying to throw out some more ideas. I think if it were me, I'd likely do it without TT and go at a faster pace in order to avoid teaching him to do something one way and then getting to the same thing in Singapore which will teach him a new way...

[Carrie]

Michelle,

I would definitely test your son first to see where he's at before beginning him along with your younger son in Singapore. The Singapore placement tests really do give you a very good feel for where kiddos need to begin. Pulling him all of the way back to 1A wouldn't be necessary and could really be hard on his confidence (to be in the same program as little brother).

We've had our own issues with TT this past two years, so I'm definitely leaning toward recommending that you do Singapore with your oldest son instead of TT.

Here's a link to the placement test. Make sure to give the U.S. Edition test: http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_Test_s/86.htm

Blessings,
Carrie

[MamaBear23Cubs]

I am doing two programs. Singapre and Modern Curriculum Press.