Singapore math - a few ??s about HOD's approach

[Kathleen]

These might help you, too. Carrie gives her reason for chooising Singapore Math and some other info on how Singapore teaches in these links. While glancing at the workbook may look simplistic on the surface (due to the lack of a HUGE amount of problems), the ones that are there require thinking. I am a math-lover, and am sold on Singapore's approach. I want my kids to learn to think, and be able to really understand math. This thinking aspect of math is much harder to find in a curriculum...and to figure out how to add in if your chosen curriculum is weak on it. While some families might think that Singapore is weak on drill of math facts, that's so easy to add in if you'd like. Just grab or make some flashcards and drill away.

viewtopic.php?p=431#p431
viewtopic.php?p=48196#p48196
viewtopic.php?p=48199#p48199

Kathleen

[tnahid]

We are using Beyond, but my son is already in Singapore 2A. We don't do any hands on because the guide is written for 1A and 1B. Are we missing out on something by not using the hands, or will it be enough just going through the lessons in the workbook and textbook? My son is doing very well so far with it.

Also, about math facts. Does Singapore discuss these at all? What is the best way to teach these basic addition facts to my son? He knows a lot of them, but not all by memorization.

Thanks for any input.

[Tracee]

Tina,

Honestly, I think you are missing something without the hands on activities. I know my kids need it, so that is why I think like that. Maybe yours are different. I know it's not practical to buy the guide for only the hands on activities, but I think they really help. We are only in 1A, so others that are further along might be able to help you better. I'm curious as to what they have to say also. Did you use the hands on activities for 1A and 1B? Now that I know what kinds of ideas Carrie uses, I can come up with some of my own. If you can't get the Bigger guide, maybe you can come up with some hands on activities of your own. I' m lazy , so I like to just look in the Beyond guide for the activity.

[twoxcell]

In the HIG's they have ideas for games, and extra worksheets to help with fact practice. Also on the Singapore website they sell number bond flash cards and such.

[pjdobro]

The hands on activities are nice. Even though you would need to get the Bigger guide for the hands on activities for 2A/2B, I think it is worth it. You'll be set for the next year with your guide already in hand as well. So you won't be spending money on an "extra" just for math. You'll just be ahead for next year already having your guide. Since we are in 3A/3B this year and there are no HOD hands on activities for this level, I decided to get the HIG for 3A. It does have a few ideas of how to explain things and ideas for games, but I really didn't find it that useful. If the activities in the HIG for 2A/2B are similar to 3A, I would definitely prefer the HOD activities. The HOD activities are more fun in my opinion and less repetitive. I feel it's a better value as well since the HIG will cost at least $16 each so that is $32 for just math. You can get the Bigger guide for not too much more than that and have it ready for your next year's instruction.

[HollyS]

I approach math differently for each of my DC. My oldest needs lots of help. I use the HIG, text, workbook, Carrie's lessons, and timed math drills. I also bought MM to help her with subtraction with regrouping...she got completely stuck and MM broke it down really well. We don't follow the HIG exactly, but I read through it to help me with the lessons.

My DS, on the other hand, does fine with Carrie's lessons and the WB pages. We also look at the text book problems since he enjoys it (and we already owned the textbooks). I also add timed math drills for him.

[abrightmom]

I approach math differently for each of my DC. My oldest needs lots of help. I use the HIG, text, workbook, Carrie's lessons, and timed math drills. I also bought MM to help her with subtraction with regrouping...she got completely stuck and MM broke it down really well. We don't follow the HIG exactly, but I read through it to help me with the lessons.

My DS, on the other hand, does fine with Carrie's lessons and the WB pages. We also look at the text book problems since he enjoys it (and we already owned the textbooks). I also add timed math drills for him.

I think this is the key . . . every situation is truly unique. There is not a one size fits all approach!

[tnahid]

Good idea, Patty. I guess I can just go ahead and buy the Bigger guide, since I plan on using it next year anyway. My oldest son used Teaching Textbooks on computer, so I was planning on letting my younger son following along with that once he hits 3rd grade level. But, we will definitely be doing the Singapore 2, so I am going to get the guide. Thanks!

[Tabrett]

I choose to use SP this year because the lessons were short! Carrie's reasons behind why her lessons are designed to be short is what won me over. I have tried several other math programs in the past and the time intense lessons were burning out my dc. Many times a curriculum will try to get dc to learn ideas and concepts that could be taught in 5 mins if the dc was a few years older.

The CM Method focuses on doing lessons that are age and TIME appropriate. If you do all the extras books in SP, how long will a math lesson take? Can your dc focus long enough to do a SP lesson, SP WB, SP Intensive Practice WB and SP Challenging Word problems? That is a lot of time to focus on one subject for a dc so young! If you had a wb loving dc who has a great attention span, then go for it. But most young dc do not have that type of attention span.

Ask yourself-Is this something my dc will easily remember and understand when they were a few years older or is it something I need to drill and kill in the 1st grade and 2nd grade?

[my3sons]

What a good discussion! I will say that we have only done Singapore math the way it is planned in the HOD guides, with nothing extra other than some flashcards in the summer. My dc have retained what they've learned very well - even after a 3 month break in the summer. They have also tested at the 99th percentile in math year after year on standardized tests. My advice would be to do the HOD hands-on plans for Earlybird K and 1A/1B, and 2A/2B. Then, do the Textbooks/Workbooks as mapped out in the daily plans/Appendix, not doubling up anything (unless you had a special situation of an older child beginning Singapore later).

If your child begins to struggle with something, I'd slow it down and do the hands-on for 2 days instead of 1 in the younger guides. If your child begins to struggle with older guides, I'd weigh if they are supposed to have mastered the concept or if they need time to grow into it before thinking I needed to slow down. There is much more practice and review scheduled in the older Singapore Textbooks/Workbooks!!! I do not grade assignments until around 4A/4B (and on up) and then, I usually only grade practices and reviews - unless they've spent quite a few days on a concept, in which case they should have it down and a grade should then be assigned.

Singapore Math was brought to the United States because it proved itself with outstanding standardized test scores, ranking best among math programs worldwide. We then felt we needed to "Americanize" it by adding more and more and more to it. I think that before adding anything, I'd really try it the way HOD has written in it. What if you can achieve outstanding results without all the extra - isn't that worth a whirl? You can always add more, but until it really becomes obvious more is needed, why not enjoy doing less while still accomplishing so much? I am not saying it is necessarily wrong to add more, I'm just saying it often is really not necessary. My dc both LOVE math. I know in part it is due to it is short. I know many dc hate math. I know in part it is due to it is long. This is just something to watch out for IMO, especially as dc get older! Math need not take forever if it is written well. And Singapore is! HTH as each family considers what is best for their needs, here also are some previous posts to peruse if anyone wants more dialogue on this...

Singapore Math (why Carrie picked it and my top reasons for using it)
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4271&p=31537#p31537
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=112

Singapore Math – should I get the Home Instructor’s Guides or additional components?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4896&p=35879#p35879
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6698&p=48902#p48902


In Christ,
Julie

[naturalhomestead]

WOW Julie! very well put. That is why we are switching over to SP for our children this next school year. Our kids would just burn out after staring at their math page. It was taking way to long and they were not enjoying it. They would love to know that math only takes 15 -20 minutes. I am all for the less is better approach if that's what works for them.