Math curr. that fits these parameters:

[Novafan]

1. 2nd grade (7 year old) Child works aggressively in math (not gifted or highly advanced, but picks math up very easily and moves forward quickly), so far, does not get stumped on anything new presented

2. Child is a SELF learner, works very well alone, resists "lessons" where he has to sit and listen to me explain something

3. His foundation in math was hands on - Montessori materials, his mental math is amazing (at least I think it is)

4. We are still working on them, but math facts are not an issue for him. We are moving through them very quickly.

5. We are looking to move into well worded word problems that make sense and are practical. DS does not "tolerate" nonsensical lessons/problems.

6. We want something that works on computation (+, -, *, /), but ALSO covers geometry

HELP!!!

[5wolfcubs]

MUS (http://www.mathusee.com/) w/ Singapore's Challenging Word Problems was sounding good until you said Geometry.

My ds, who just turned 8 last week, sounds a lot like yours. He watches the MUS dvd and does the work himself w/ MUS Gamma. He's on the 2nd to last lesson in that book. We do the CWP together, I really enjoy them too!

Right Start has a geometry program for 5th(?) graders that might be a possibility.

[Marie in Oh]

It covers the areas of paralellagrams, trapezoids, triangles, etc. I am not sure what else you would consider geometry in elementary grades, but MUS seems to fit what you are wanting. We are very pleased with it.

[mcconnellboys]

I don't know, really. I think Montessori does the best job around of teaching math. Is it possible for you to continue Montessori programming at home? If not, then MUS is more hands on, but I think it's snoringly boring and slow. And Singapore is quick and teaches mathematical thought wonderfully, but my little Montessori math guy hasn't been overly thrilled with it, either. It's what we use (Singapore and MUS), but neither stack up to the wonderful way Montessori teaches math!

Regena

[DB in NJ]

A few suggestions:

Horizons (take the placement test; get the manipulative kit to go w/it)

Miquon (and continue to work on the facts)

[Excelsior! Academy]

What you are looking for sounds exactly like Saxon's 4th grade and up math books. I doubt she's ready for the 4th grade book, but I've heard of some starting the 4th grade book it in 3rd successfully.

You might look into this program and tailor it to your needs by skipping the meeting book. Just skim the lessons to be ready to present any new skills needed. My 6yo does most of the 1st book on her own. I only have to read a couple of problems a day to her.

[OhElizabeth]

BJU math would work for that too. Now that my dd has gotten the hang of it, she basically just picks up the book and does the next pages. We were coming from a very hands-on background (RightStart), and I like the way BJU wants them to visualize the math. The diagrams and methods are very compatible with what we had been doing before.

BJU meets all the state standards, so it's going to cover geometry, money, etc., where some curricula leave certain things out or focus only on arithmetic. And BJU comes with several levels of optional supplement workbooks. There is a mid-level book that provides more practice in the topic of the lesson, which it sounds like he might not need. Then there's a challenging workbook (Stretch Your Mind) that extends the topic and has more challenging applications. BJU is mastery, not spiral, but they do have a Reviews workbook if you wish for a bit of spiral review and fact drill. It too correlates to the main lessons, making it easy to implement. I didn't want to do something like Horizons with her because the amount of spiral and review would just be TOO much, yuck. Horizons loses the focus on thought process that I wanted to see. BJU is focusing on the why's, but the pages are straightforward enough for the student to implement rather independently. It's just a good balance for us. You can see samples at www.bjup.com.

[Novafan]

I don't know, really. I think Montessori does the best job around of teaching math. Is it possible for you to continue Montessori programming at home? If not, then MUS is more hands on, but I think it's snoringly boring and slow. And Singapore is quick and teaches mathematical thought wonderfully, but my little Montessori math guy hasn't been overly thrilled with it, either. It's what we use (Singapore and MUS), but neither stack up to the wonderful way Montessori teaches math!

Regena

I'd love to teach him Montessori math at home, but I value the training that certified teachers receive and I'm not certified. I fear presenting something to him in an incorrect manner and messing the whole process up. In addition, the Montessori materials can be very expensive.

My fear is that he loses his passion for math and the acceleration at which he was moving forward. I marvel at how he "groups" numbers in his head to figure out mental math problems. My son does math completely different than I do - and I believe his method is better and faster! :eek: I wish I could go back and learn math the way he was introduced to it.

I think for now I'm okay coming up with geometry plans. We're focusing on nomenclature and properties of geometric shapes.

I'd love to see some examples of Singapore lessons. Does anyone know where I could view examples online?

[Jenny in Atl]

http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/singapore.htm

Here are some samples and review of Singapore Math. :)

[Novafan]

Okay, I found examples on the Singapore website.

I think the biggest thing I'm struggling with (in general too, not just math) is the move from what my son had in a Montessori school to workbooks, workbooks, workbooks. He almost never touched a worksheet/workbook in his old school, as he generated many of his own problems.

I should add that this same DS seems to have taken to the Explode the Code phonics program very well, even though that involves workbooks/busy work.

I failed to mention that I own Schillermath, which is based off Montessori math. Or it's supposed to be, but I'm failing to see the connection so far as I think the lessons are not very, ummmmm, stimulating. My 5 year old is doing well with the Schillermath, but it doesn't seem to grab my 7 year old, nor challenge him.

Any more ideas?

[OhElizabeth]

Have you looked at RightStart? Dr. Cotter, who wrote RS, actually ran a Montessori school and used her program in it. It's parent-driven, very interactive. They have thorough samples on their website www.alabacus.com

[happykids]

The lessons are very clearly taught right in the workbooks. Perfect for self-teaching. The instruction is excellent and each lesson has review built in, so concepts learned stay fresh. It is much more pleasant than Saxon because you work right in the workbooks and don't have to copy the problems in a separate notebook.

There are sample pages in the yahoo group : christianfamilies

Blessings,
~Sabrina in NY

[happykids]

and the website to order is www.clp.org

[KidsHappen]

It explains things very well and allows the child to master an entire concept and move on very quickly. I use this program and I absolutely love it. It is a very versatile program and can be used in many different ways. If you buy the whole package you will get the teachers manual, games, manipulative and the workbooks. The teacher's guide is more than just an answer key. It tells you different ways to implement the program, different sequences and other helpful information. You can buy the workbooks and TE separately. This allows you to try one workbook and see if it works for you. Also it makes for an easier cash flow if you buy one book a year instead of all at once.

We only use the workbooks and they are the best I have ever seen. The explanation of what you are supposed to do is on each work page. The instructions are so easy and thorough that a child who is reading at a second to third grade level can do them completely on their own. We have been using this program for a few years with my daughter and I can only remember one time when she needed additional help from me. The back of each page is blank so when you open to a two pages spread there is only writing on the page that the dc is supposed to be working on. The type is fairly large and there is lots of white space. The largest problem with this program is the pacing. The addition book has 68 pages. Once you finish the book you would pretty much know everything you need to know about adding. So what are you going to do for the rest of the year? In my opinion there are two options. If you child is very bright then just start with the next book and do this through the entire series. At this rate it would take about four years to finish the whole series. This could be followed by a strong review program in fifth grade and pre-algebra in sixth. If your dc is not up to that rigorous of a pacing then you could finish one book a year then spend the rest of each year doing drill work like Calculadders.

I'll add to the chorus on Singapore, MUS and Right Start. All great programs that would fufill your criteria.

[Novafan]

Oh my goodness, there are so many options, my head is spinning.

Everyone's suggestions are great though and they are all giving me food for though. I just finished looking over Right Start and it looks compelling. I like that there are not cutesy cartoons in the books.