Our Singapore Math Success Moment

[Dee in MI]

My almost-11YO-son is math bright but not gifted. We've been doing Singapore since Earlybird, and he's just finished 5A. (We flirted with Saxon 1. We supplemented with Daily Math Practice in 2nd and 3rd, but I'm not sure it was necessary. We haven't supplemented with any of the Singapore extras.)

I'm going to be switching him to Dolciani, so I've been reviewing the Algebra I book. Last night I read him this story problem aloud:

To be called "Limited" a train's average speed must be 5 miles an hour more than twice the average speeed of a "Local". If the Limited travels at 63 miles an hour, what is the speed of the Local?

"That's easy," he answered. "Just subtract 5 from 63 and divide that in half."

His answer was so off hand and quick, my husband and I were speechless. We've worked lots of similar problems in Singapore, and I knew that he could do it on the white board with some time. And my husband and I would have immediately started designating variables and setting up equations. But for my boy, this was trivial.

And that's why I love Singapore math.

Dee

[elegantlion]

Got to love a singapore success story! Way to go!

We started with 3b last year. As soon as I saw the word problems I knew the would be helpful when he gets to algebra.

[Blessedfamily]

:hurray: Synapses firing all over the place! We are luv'n it too.

[Testimony]

I love, love, love hearing homeschooling success, but especially Singapore math!!!

Hey, it doesn't hurt to say he had an outstanding mom who taught him!

Way to go mom!

Merry Christmas,
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony

[cbollin]

Same reasons we're loving Singapore math too. Sharing the joy with you!!!

-crystal

[fractalgal]

My almost-11YO-son is math bright but not gifted. We've been doing Singapore since Earlybird, and he's just finished 5A. (We flirted with Saxon 1. We supplemented with Daily Math Practice in 2nd and 3rd, but I'm not sure it was necessary. We haven't supplemented with any of the Singapore extras.)

I'm going to be switching him to Dolciani, so I've been reviewing the Algebra I book. Last night I read him this story problem aloud:

To be called "Limited" a train's average speed must be 5 miles an hour more than twice the average speeed of a "Local". If the Limited travels at 63 miles an hour, what is the speed of the Local?

"That's easy," he answered. "Just subtract 5 from 63 and divide that in half."

His answer was so off hand and quick, my husband and I were speechless. We've worked lots of similar problems in Singapore, and I knew that he could do it on the white board with some time. And my husband and I would have immediately started designating variables and setting up equations. But for my boy, this was trivial.

And that's why I love Singapore math.

Dee

Thanks for sharing. Singapore Word Problems are in a league of their own. ;)

[herbalgirl]

That is awesome! :D My ds (6) is doing Singapore 1 right now, and he is just adding and subtracting like crazy, in his head, no fingers, so quickly it makes my head spin. It is wonderful, but the best part is that I hear him say he likes math. I sure didn't hear that when we were doing worksheets. I think Singapore challenges him more, and he enjoys that rather than pages and pages of the same looking problems.