Singapore math placement question

[christyg]

Hi! I have a Singapore Math question. So, my daughter just completed Bigger for 2nd grade using 2A/2B Singapore math. We had her take the Iowa test in April. She did well on the test overall, testing at a 3rd grade level. I was however, surprised that she scored average (on the low end) in math, mainly because I have heard that it is a year ahead of most others. This was her first year to test. She is pretty good in math, but she makes simple mistakes (like subtracting when she should be adding, etc.).

Anyway, I got out my 3A/3B textbooks and workbooks and after looking at it, I'm not sure if she is ready for it or not. It looks like a big jump from 2B. So, I had her to take the placement test and she places back in 2A (82% on the 1B test). On the 2A test she scored 52 and it was again those simple mistakes that she missed. I believe that she is getting the concepts, just not paying close enough attention.

So, now, I'm not sure whether to go ahead with 3A/3B for this year and work a little more closely with her on paying attention to these things, or redo 2A/2B with her. I don't mind going back thru level 2, but I worry that when we test her in the spring next year for 3rd grade, there will be problems on there that we haven't covered (like mulitplying by 7). I looked at the Singapore website again and it said that an average 3rd grader should be doing 2B/3A and that an advanced 3rd grader should be doing 3A/3B.

If you have any advice on this, please send it my way!
Thanks so much,
Christy

[Gwenny]

Do you have to test for your state? If not, don't test. . I don't know if you should do 2A/B again or not, but I would be more concerned about what she knows rather than how she tests. From the website it sounds like she's not doing too badly, she's just not "advanced".
If you know that it is just carelessness, maybe just slowing down and making her pay more attention might be enough.

[my3sons]

For the summer, could you just work on the specific areas she had difficulty in? I like to use the HOD hands-on math plans to review if our dc hit a concept that is harder. You could just redo the hands-on lessons that include skills she needs help cementing, and then stress careful work. I'd have her look at any problems she misses a second time and see if she can "catch" her own errors. I'd reward her in some way for each problem she gets right the first time (i.e. an M & M or 2 for each or a few minutes of special time with you for each one done right the first time, etc.). Then, I think I'd start 3A with her and stress careful work. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[christyg]

Thanks so much for your advice ladies! After reading your comments and thinking it over for a couple of days, I have decided that I will go ahead with 3A/3B for this year. I really think that she is just making some careless mistakes. And, this could be a maturity issue as well. I actually went back this morning and had her to re-take the 2A placement test and also the 2B for the first time, just for curiosity . I went back thru it before she took the test and circled the addition and subtraction signs (so that she would slow down and "notice" which one she was supposed to be doing) and gave her a visual for the cm, m, in, ft, yd, etc. to remind her of what each one looked like. She made 74% on the 2A test and 86% on the 2B. (Singapore site says 80% shows readiness for the next level of math). Not sure why that one was better. So, she will probably be ok to start 3A.

Since we are doing Preparing this year, I think that I am going to do the math on the 5 day schedule so that we can lighten it up and go a little more slowly. We are also going to do math first thing each day so that every one is fresh and we won't be rushed to get it done. Last year we just followed the order in the book (top to bottom, left to right) and it was the next to last thing that we did each day and we probably went thru it a little too quickly (not as carefully) each day than we should have, knowing that it was the end and we had other activities to be at later. The only thing that I am going to add is some math fact practice. We will either use just the good ol' fashioned cards or I have a math fact app on my phone that I may have her to do for a few minutes each day. Both of my kiddos think that the app is a game and don't even realize that it's math facts. I know....that's sneaky. I think that some of her mistakes are also related to those not being memorized.

Anyway, that's our plan. This was our first year to test and I think that I let it get me all worked up. It really didn't tell me much that I didn't already know about her strengths and weaknesses. It is not required in our state, I just choose to do it so that she will know what it's like to take a test. I just need to treat it as such and not let it control our school year. I never want to feel like I have to teach to a test. I really struggled with that these past few weeks. After seeing those math scores (which were average, and are OK ), my first instinct was to start adding things (like extra workbooks), which I don't think will help, but only cause problems with making for too much work. Last night, I woke up thinking about it and just felt the Lord telling me to not add anything, but to take it slow. So, that's what we're going to do. The Lord just gives me such a peace about doing HOD as is and not adding to it!

Thanks again for the help!
Christy

[my3sons]

It's always right to listen to the Lord's leading - He knows best 100% of the time! The important thing is to be praying about it and listening for His voice. Sounds like He answered in the middle of the night, and as always, He gave a great answer! You have a solid plan here. Thanks for sharing how you came to your conclusion, and I am so glad you did so with His leading!

In Christ,
Julie

[MomtoJGJE]

My oldest had a period of time (between 1B and 2A) where she was about the same as you are describing. I just had her work through 1B again on her own pace during a period between "school" (I actually think it was in between T'giving and Christmas) It took her about 3 weeks to work through it on her own and it really helped her be confident with the next level.