4th grade math, what to use?

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kiloyd
Posts: 226
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:19 pm

4th grade math, what to use?

Post by kiloyd » Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:18 pm

I have done A Beka math with my son since kindergarten. I think he would really balk at changing to Singapore and I would have a hard time too I think.

Is there something else you would recommend that is "traditional" that might be a bit better than A Beka?

I plan on starting dd out with Singapore so we can both get used to it from the begining.

Thank you
Katherine
ds 9, Preparing
dd just turned 6, LHFHG
dd 3
and 15 mo old 3 days a week

kiloyd
Posts: 226
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:19 pm

Re: 4th grade math, what to use?

Post by kiloyd » Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:56 pm

I just looked at samples of BJU and Horizons. Think I'll just stick with what we know. Although I've heard very good things about Teaching Textbooks.

I don't really know why I want to change math for him. Each year I look at what's out there and each year I stick with A Beka. He does get 98 on his math tests. He does it well. It is a lot each day so I circle the problems for him to do, I figure if he knows how to do long division and does it well, he only needs to do one or two problems and not 8.
Katherine
ds 9, Preparing
dd just turned 6, LHFHG
dd 3
and 15 mo old 3 days a week

inHistiming
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Re: 4th grade math, what to use?

Post by inHistiming » Sat Aug 14, 2010 6:15 am

Sounds to me like you've worked it out. We have finally settled on Saxon and are enjoying it, but we did spend some time switching around. I can tell you from that experience if you are using something that is working, he's doing well with it, you are blessed! I would tend to stick with that (knowing what I know now :oops: ). You can also pick and choose which problems he does, as you've already mentioned, so that he's not spending a really long time on math or working problems that he's already mastered. My youngest ds 7 has also begun Saxon and is learning things (at a lower level of course) that my older two are learning and I can see how he will be 'ahead of the game' because of it. He enjoys his math and is doing great. So, just my 2 cents worth, hope that helps! :wink:

kiloyd
Posts: 226
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:19 pm

Re: 4th grade math, what to use?

Post by kiloyd » Sat Aug 14, 2010 6:27 am

I went on the Saxon website and couldn't find just a student book, I only saw packages.

yes, he does well with A Beka. He doesn't like math because he has to sit down and use his brain. And when a new concept is introduced he'll be like 'huh??!" and then he'll get it in a couple days.

So yeah, guess there is no reason to change. All math programs offer something different.

Why do people change math? Is it because the child is struggling to understand it? Why did you change?
Katherine
ds 9, Preparing
dd just turned 6, LHFHG
dd 3
and 15 mo old 3 days a week

inHistiming
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Re: 4th grade math, what to use?

Post by inHistiming » Sat Aug 14, 2010 2:41 pm

The first time I switched was because we were using LIFEPAC math for my oldest and it was like pulling teeth to get him to finish! e had been given Saxon 54 and since he was going into 4th grade we used that. I did use Horizons with my dd that next year (2nd) and she did great with it. If it ever becomes necessary to change programs for any of my kids again I will definitely look at Horizons again, because I think it is a great program as well....just takes more time like Saxon. The main reason we switched the following year was because I was trying to save money, plus I wanted to try Carrie's suggestions....and cut down on our math time....so we went with Singapore the following year. The kids enjoyed it because it was shorter and they did not have to write out the math problems. I however was not a fan...perhaps because math is a weak area for me, and I did not feel there was enough built-in explanation for me to be able to help them when they did not understand a concept. I will say, though, that I did not have the teacher's manual and maybe if I had it would have been easier. It works great for many other families, just not for us! :o :? So, we made the switch our 4th year of homeschooling, for ALL 3 kids, to Saxon and I am glad we did. Though there are many problems in each lesson, we are able to eliminate the ones they've mastered to cut down a bit. We don't do this with every lesson, but occasionally. It is a very thorough program, with explanations that I usually 'get', so that's great for me....I'm learning along with dd (dh teaches my oldest son his math each day), and I don't have to get familiar with several different methods of teaching. We have decided (and husband requires anyway) that we are sticking with Saxon....it's working and switching around so much has held them back a bit. I can definitely see how ds 7 is benefitting from having the same program from year to year.

I think for others, switching is necessary...and for our first year that was the case. If one is in a program that either the parent can't teach or the student just can't 'get' then it would be a good idea to try to find something that works better, IMO. Anyway, hope that helps explain things. :wink:

sw1ssm1ss
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Re: 4th grade math, what to use?

Post by sw1ssm1ss » Sat Aug 14, 2010 8:54 pm

I think they usually switch do to the child not learning the material well enough, the child struggling to complete the lesson each day, or pacing that is too fast or too slow. I think if your son is doing well, there is no need to switch. Other people have said you really don't want to tamper with or tinker with math if it's going well.

We are just at the beginning of our homeschooling journey--we did one year of Earlybird Kindergarten math. A friend later tried to pressure me to switch to Saxon--she had a few reasons for it. I said, no way. What we've done of Singapore is working so well, I barely have to teach it. She just absorbs it!
Married to beloved dh for 11 years
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kiloyd
Posts: 226
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:19 pm

Re: 4th grade math, what to use?

Post by kiloyd » Sat Aug 14, 2010 9:13 pm

sw1ssm1ss wrote:I think they usually switch do to the child not learning the material well enough, the child struggling to complete the lesson each day, or pacing that is too fast or too slow. I think if your son is doing well, there is no need to switch. Other people have said you really don't want to tamper with or tinker with math if it's going well.

We are just at the beginning of our homeschooling journey--we did one year of Earlybird Kindergarten math. A friend later tried to pressure me to switch to Saxon--she had a few reasons for it. I said, no way. What we've done of Singapore is working so well, I barely have to teach it. She just absorbs it!
When you put it like that it confirms we should stay with it.

DS is learning it well, I think the pace is fine. I wouldn't say he struggles to complete it, he just doesn't want to do it, I think that would be the same problem with anything else.

I just realized why I might want to change for 5th grade. As I need a guide as a refresher for me. I don't like A Beka's guide, I don't do half the stuff in it. So far we are fine with the sample problem, it's enough of a refresher for me that I can teach him. But as we get to a higher level I'll need a refresher. I had all A's in math but have forgotten a lot of it.

How is Saxon's teacher guide?
Katherine
ds 9, Preparing
dd just turned 6, LHFHG
dd 3
and 15 mo old 3 days a week

inHistiming
Posts: 1301
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:30 pm
Location: Central VA
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Re: 4th grade math, what to use?

Post by inHistiming » Sun Aug 15, 2010 4:35 am

I honestly have not seen a teacher's guide for Saxon 54 on up...not sure if they don't have one or if I've just missed it. There is the student book, solutions manual, and the test/worksheets book. The student's book, however, has great explanations for the problems, and the newer ones even reference the lesson where a concept was learned for each problem.

Example: (22) 12.

In parentheses is the lesson it was learned and the other number is the problem for current lesson, does that make sense?

In the younger grades the teacher's guide is a very thick book....explaining everything, very scripted. Again, if it's something your child knows already you, can skip it because it does make the lesson time more lengthy. I just look over the lesson, choose what I know he needs to learn or needs review on and skip the rest. Answers are included in the TG as well.

I would say, if you are happy with Abeka for this year, then begin researching over the course of the next year. You'll have plenty of time to look over different programs, look at samples of friends' books, etc. That way, by the time it is necessary to order for 5th grade, you will be very familiar with the various programs out there and better able to make a choice that's a good one for both your ds and you. :wink:

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