Singapore question(s)

This is where new posts begin. All questions or discussions about any of Heart of Dakota's curriculums start here. If you wish to share a one-time post about your family's experience with our curriculum, you may post under the specific curriculum title (found beneath this "Main Board" heading).
Post Reply
Dustybug
Posts: 198
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:56 pm
Location: North Carolina
Contact:

Singapore question(s)

Post by Dustybug » Mon Jun 27, 2011 4:29 pm

Okay, I've gone back and forth so much on math curriculum that my head aches just thinking about it, but I think that since I already have the EB math books for LHFHG, we will stick with it for now. I am concerned though on a few levels. What about math facts drilling? I've heard that this is a serious weakness for Singapore. Also, after the hands on lessons stop in HOD, how do I teach Singapore if I am completely unfamiliar with the methods they use? Do any of you supplement with another math program or material?
Dusty
Mommy to
Gabriella (7) BLHFHG, ETC, Song School Latin
Aron (5) TMJ's Fruit for Tender Hearts, ETC, Singapore Essentials Math K
Lydia (3) Learning letters, numbers, shapes, and colors
http://www.tothemoonandbackblog.net

twoxcell
Posts: 358
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:49 pm

Re: Singapore question(s)

Post by twoxcell » Mon Jun 27, 2011 7:55 pm

First off you do not need to be drilling math facts in K :wink: , second when the hands on end you simply get the HIG's, or you can get them sooner if needed. As far as math facts we have several computer and online games we use for fact practice. You can always use flash cards or make drill sheets for a little extra practice too.
ds 12 RevtoRev
dd 9 Preparing
dd 7 Beyond
ds 5 Little Hearts
dd due September 20th

Dustybug
Posts: 198
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:56 pm
Location: North Carolina
Contact:

Re: Singapore question(s)

Post by Dustybug » Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:08 am

Oh, I know I don't need to drill math facts yet. lol I am just thinking of the future as well. :wink:
Dusty
Mommy to
Gabriella (7) BLHFHG, ETC, Song School Latin
Aron (5) TMJ's Fruit for Tender Hearts, ETC, Singapore Essentials Math K
Lydia (3) Learning letters, numbers, shapes, and colors
http://www.tothemoonandbackblog.net

Tracee
Posts: 251
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 12:45 am
Location: South Florida

Re: Singapore question(s)

Post by Tracee » Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:26 am

I think you will see that using Singapore, the kids pick up math facts without drilling, but if that makes you uncomfortable, you can always play games that enforce math facts, use flash cards and computer games. Personally, I wouldn't use another curriculum. I think it might be too confusing. I've also read several articles and blogs by engineers and mathematicians that don't believe in drilling for math facts. They just don't feel that it is necessary. They all agree that it is more important to learn how to think mathematically than it is to memorize math facts. That will follow naturally.


Just a little FYI, my 3 kids have dyslexia( profound, severe and mild)that affects their memory. They are learning math facts without drilling.


HTH,
Tracy
DS 12
DD 10/DS 10

netpea
Posts: 714
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:39 pm
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Re: Singapore question(s)

Post by netpea » Tue Jun 28, 2011 6:35 am

We have used Singapore from Earlybird Math through 5A so far. At first I thought it was a weakness that they didn't drill math facts and my kids didn't seem to learn them right away. But as you move through the program, you do learn them through practice. My kids are in 3B and 5B now and they surprise me by knowing most of the facts when they were NEVER drilled.
Lee Ann
DD3 - LHTH
DD10 - no longer schooled at home
DS12 - no longer schooled at home

Have used LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, and BHFHG
http://netpea.blogspot.com

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Singapore question(s)

Post by my3sons » Tue Jun 28, 2011 12:22 pm

We have found our dc learn their facts through doing Singapore as it is written. However, if you want to add drill of facts, it is incredibly easy to add as there are a whole host of available drilling facts resources available. Adding the excellent mental math and problem solving skills that Singapore is so strong in is much more difficult to add to a different math program that is weak in these areas. Here are Carrie's comments explaining why HOD chose Singapore math, as I think this is incredibly helpful...

...you are more than welcome to choose your own math curriculum to use with any of our programs (and we do realize that there are many excellent math programs to use out there). However, we have tried many of the big-name, and not so big-name, math programs for at least a year each and found many of them didn't fit our family well for a variety of reasons.

Many of the programs were just too time-consuming in the amount of teacher presentation required. As we added more children to our homeschool, I realized a 30 minute math presentation for one kiddo would quickly turn into 2 hours of math presentation when multiplied times my 4 boys. That would leave precious little time for the many other necessary school subjects.

Some of the programs required too much prep. or planning ahead of time prior to teaching. When I wasn't prepared, my students were wasting time waiting on me. Other programs had way too much drill or too many problems daily for my non-math loving oldest son. So, I found I was tweaking which problems to do daily and eventually the programs hardly resembled the original progam anymore.

In keeping with the Charlotte Mason philosophy for math, I wanted a program with short lessons, some hands-on, almost no prep., in a workbook form (to cut down on time spent copying problems) that emphasized higher-level thinking and reasoning along with computation. I also wanted it to be economical if possible. So, when we began with Singapore we knew we'd found the fit for us.

Where the program lacked hands-on in the early years, I added in lessons to include that. The one problem we have found with Singpaore is that the clean page layout and the few problems on each page makes it easy to assign too much daily, thus complicating what should be a short and sweet program. We compensate for that by including schedules in our guides that follow the original Singpore pacing, completing 2 workbooks in one school year.

Our plans are to phase out the hands-on teacher lessons starting with 3A/3B and move toward the textbook/workbook schedule only at that point. With a strong hands-on background from the previous Singapore years, we're finding the kiddos will be ready for that change.

At this time, we will probably endorse Singapore through 6A and 6B. It gets more teacher-intensive after that point, and we most likely will suggest an alternative prior to continuing on to the New Elementary Math that comes after 6A/6B. Since Singapore has such a solid base in problem-solving and reasoning, and an advanced scope and sequence, the switch to almost any other program should be a fairly painless one.

So, to make a long story short, all kids are different, and we know one math program will not fit them all. But, we do want to share what we've found with others in the hope that it may be a fit for some of you as well.

Blessings,
Carrie


Math is a subject that has a finite body of information to be learned, and Singapore does this in a clear, systematic way that encourages mental math. IMO, strong mental math is the goal. It is something needed every day, in every walk of life. These are the top things I appreciate about Singapore...
1. it teaches the "why" behind the "how" of math; it doesn't just drill - it teaches how to "think" mathematically
2. it is strong on mental math
3. it teaches pictorially, which helps dc visualize the mathematic operations they are doing
4. it is strong on problem solving
5. it is short, has no prep, and is consistent
6. it has a strong track record of dc testing well on standardized testing

We really like Singapore, but like any math program, it takes a bit to get into it. I think Singapore deserves a year's try. It will seem different at first, but that's because of all of the above points I listed. If you're going to give Singapore a try for a month, you probably won't really get a good read on how it will go long-term. One last thing, I am a firm believer in the "less is more" theory when it comes to math problems (as well as with things like cursive handwriting, etc.). If a child can show you they fully understand the math concept in 10-15 problems, why would I make him do 50 problems and have him start to rush to get through all those problems and start to have the habit of carelessness? Math should not take forever to do. Singapore looks deceivingly simple - it is not. It is more than difficult enough, but it does not overkill a skill. The HOD activities up through Singapore 2B are awesome, and I believe a necessary part to do with Singapore at the younger ages (that should be more hands-on). However, there is a time to give up the hands-on part of math, IMO, and it has been a good time to give it up at 3A. Our dc are completely different learners and both thriving with Singapore. !

I have not found any need to supplement with Singapore. I didn't learn math this way, but I am enjoying learning it now. :D I cannot believe how easy math is the Singapore way - the methods they teach all but take away the need for scratch paper use, or lengthy memorization of steps. I have found it is important not to jump in and try to share my "tips". :oops: They are not helpful, and they confuse the dc. The fact is Singapore often gets to my "tips" eventually anyway - they just teach mental math methods first. :wink:

In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

Dustybug
Posts: 198
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:56 pm
Location: North Carolina
Contact:

Re: Singapore question(s)

Post by Dustybug » Tue Jun 28, 2011 2:09 pm

Thank you all for your responses! I have been driving myself crazy with the back and forth. :oops: I am comforted some knowing that the math facts are taught, just not in a drill like fashion. I guess I just really want my children to have a strong math foundation, because I have never been gifted in that area(I still use my fingers sometimes! Lol) and so I not only worry about my ability to teach math period, but in a fashion that I am completely unfamiliar with. I think what I really need to do is just relax and go with it. I'm such a detail oriented, plan-everything-out-to-the-T kind of person. DH is no help. Since I'm the "teacher" he leaves all the decisions up to me. :( I really appreciate you ladies taking the time to try to soothe my worries!
Dusty
Mommy to
Gabriella (7) BLHFHG, ETC, Song School Latin
Aron (5) TMJ's Fruit for Tender Hearts, ETC, Singapore Essentials Math K
Lydia (3) Learning letters, numbers, shapes, and colors
http://www.tothemoonandbackblog.net

Post Reply