singapore question

dcafamily · Post by **dcafamily** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:08 pm

I noticed that singapore is changing their books from us editions to standard editions. Will there be an alternate schedule available soon to corespond with their new textbooks???

Thanks!!

blessedmomof4 · Post by **blessedmomof4** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:08 am

I don't think they are getting rid of the US edition-it looks like they are newly adding the "standards edition" to be aligned with California standards-they still seem to be making the US edition.

dcafamily · Post by **dcafamily** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:15 am

it sounds like that they will still have the us edition for a period of time (how long they don't say, lol), but that will eventually be replaced with the new standards edition.

http://www.singaporemath.com/Pre_K_Math_s/20.htm

I would love to see the new version in person, just to see the difference. They also say on their website that their curriculum has been approved by they board of education in the state of california to be used in their public school system.

http://www.singaporemath.com/Homeschool_s/60.htm

blessedmomof4 · Post by **blessedmomof4** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:53 am

Ugh-I didn't see that link-I was just getting used to the US edition-not sure if I will like the new one

I hope they don't ruin it, lol!

Post by **Carrie** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:30 am

Dawn,

We have corresponded personally with the writers at Singapore, and they have really hustled to get the new "Standards Edition" out to get on the California list of approved math texts. So, with that in mind, we still prefer the more solidly developed "U.S. Edition" which they will continue to publish and offer as well. They also still offer the previous Singapore version that was published 7 years ago (prior to the U.S. version), so they are in no hurry to get rid of the U.S. Edition.

We won't be changing to the Standards Based version as it is more workbook, more drill, and less of what originally made Singapore different.

The Earlybird Kindergarten version, however, is going out of print and will eventually be only offered in the "Standards Based version" which is basically a compilation of the 4 previous Earlybird Math books (1A/1B/2A/2B). We will continue to sell Earlybird Kindergarten Math 2A/2B to go along with "Little Hearts..." as is currently written for at least another year or more. At the point it is no longer available to us, we will need to rewrite the math activities in "Little Hearts..." to correspond with a different K program, which at this point we are not sure which we will use.

At this point we prefer the solid track record of the Earlybird Kindergarten math 2A/2B and of the Primary Math series and are not in a hurry to change. The new version of K seems a bit more classroom oriented and lengthier, also containing quite a bit more workbook pages with more review. It is very pricey as well!

Hope that helps!

Blessings,
Carrie

dcafamily · Post by **dcafamily** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:43 pm

Thanks so much Carrie for answering that. I appreciate it!! Makes sense how you have it figured out.

Thanks for clarifying.

granolamom6 · Post by **granolamom6** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:46 pm

I am so glad to hear that they will be continuing to produce the U.S. version! Whew!

We love Singapore Math here and I would like to continue all my kids with them!

jg_puppy · Post by **jg_puppy** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:18 pm

Carrie wrote: We won't be changing to the Standards Based version as it is more workbook, more drill, and less of what originally made Singapore different.

I was just wondering why you felt that it was more of a workbook and less of what originally made Singapore different. Is it just because there is more review?

I noticed that they are moving several things from a higher grade to a lower grade. I want to make sure we are covering what we need to be covering in the right grade because of testing so I am considering switching to the standards edition. I want to gather as much information about the new edition as I can before I decide.

Jan

Post by **Carrie** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:58 am

Jan,

The new standards-based edition is very similar to the U.S. edition as far as 1A/1B, and 2A/2B goes. There are some changes of moving concepts down in 3A/3B and 4A/4B from the higher guides (not to match standardized testing) but to match some state standards of early introduction of concepts.

With the additional pages for review added, both the pace at which the assignments now need to be completed and the number of pages/problems that must be completed (to finish the book in a year) really change the overall feel of the original program.

If you have a mathy child who doesn't mind doing multiple pages of workbook daily then he/she will be fine with the new edition. Or, if you were a parent who added in extra practice, extra word problems etc. to Singapore, then the Standards Edition would work well for you!

However, one of the things that made Singapore math stand-out was its tight, concise presentation of topics without going on and on. So, that is not the same focus in the new edition. It is moving to more of a traditional workbook feel with more of what you see in typical math programs in the U.S.

We find that more is often just more, not necessarily better! This is true in regards to the new Standards Editions.

Hope that helps!
Carrie

jg_puppy · Post by **jg_puppy** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:08 am

Carrie,
Thank you for answering my questions. Your answers really helped me to understand what direction would be best for my family.

Jan