A Gap in Singapore Math

[all4memories]

I was just wondering if anyone else feels like there's some sort of gap between Primary Math 1B and Primary Math 2A? I'm using Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory again this year, and I'm following the appendix math for 2A and 2B. My daughter was doing well with 2A until today, and I realized she's not made the connection that once you count to 100 to 199 then you move on to 200 or from 299 to 300, etc.. We've worked on counting by 1's, 5's, 10's, and 100's, but something is just not clicking. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you so much.

[Daisy]

I'm a bit worried about the step from 1B to 2A. I bought the Practice Book for 1 and figure if we need to we can take a breather and cement the concepts from 1A/1B before moving on. Don't know if that is an option for you or if it is even necessary but my kiddo is only 7 and I'm not in a huge hurry.

[Carrie]

all4memories,

I agree that there's a jump in skill level from 1B to 2A. We've found each of the 'A' books to be a bit of leap, as they don't review first like U.S. based math programs (but just jump in where you left off in the previous book). I think this is why it feels like a jump, as we're so used to the beginning of a new math book being mostly review here in the U.S.

With that being said, at our house we truly just follow the math schedule without extra review and find that our kiddos do learn the concepts and move forward just fine (even though they're relieved to move on to a new section after that first initial push into new material). Thankfully, Singapore has a good ebb and flow following tough concepts with easier ones.

I will say that it's normal for kiddos not to know that the number '200' automatically comes after '199'. It's pretty much the same as kiddos not knowing that the number '100' comes after '99'. It takes awhile to grasp the patterns in counting. So, be encouraged that your child would be in the majority with that particular skill.

Blessings,
Carrie

[NicoleJ]

Hi - I have found that using the MAB blocks have really helped my dd learn the jump from numbers like 99 to 100 and 199 to 200. If you can get a set of those, they are invaluable. HTH. Nicole

[kiloyd]

Good post, this helped me. Thanks

[all4memories]

My daughter impressed me the next day. She did much better than that first day, but she wanted to demonstrate how she figured a particular problem out. She was struggling with the problem "What is 10 less than 800." She used play money to help her!!
I leave the play money in a jar on the table, and she asked to use it. I think there are 8 half dollar pieces so she had 400 cents. There are 12 quarters, so that gave her a total of 700 cents, and then she used 10 dimes to make up the last 100 cents, and she took one dime away, and counted the money to come up with 790. I thought that was a pretty smart thing for her to do. She was tickled to figure it out all on her own.

[my3sons]

I haven't noticed a gap, but I have noticed they don't backtrack to review. We just jump right in, and I've grown to like that. I think it cuts down on the time math takes, and it keeps things moving along. When we start "A" books in Singapore, there's always a feel that this is new and this is going to be a bit harder at first. My ds anticipates that now, and I do too - so my teaching time is more focused beginning "A" books then doing "B" books. At least that's been my experience thus far (through 3B).

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

all4memories,

What an impressive way for your little girl to figure out her math problem. I loved to see her thought process in the example that you shared. The way that Singapore fosters mathematical thinking is one of my favorite parts of the program! Thanks for sharing.

Blessings,
Carrie