Another Math ? Does anyone use only Singapore?

[mariposa]

I'm using Saxon AND Singapore this year for my Ker and 1st grader. They're on the same level in Saxon but different Singapore books. I'm finding it tough though to integrate both of them without running out of time. And it's just plain confusing at times trying to do both.
They both really prefer the Singapore workbooks to the more tedious and repetitive Saxon worksheets. Saxon is working fine, but I felt like I needed to add a little more to it. While Saxon seems to be very comprehensive, I think it's too repetitive and it's also expensive for my budget. I'm just not that into math, so I don't have a good feel for what *should* be in a curriculum.
It seems like most people seem to combine them. Would it be sufficient to use Singapore alone? I think my alternative for next year is to use one or the other - for my planning/time sake and for cost as well.
I'd like your thoughts, especially if you only use Singapore.
Thanks,
sarah

[Mary in GA]

I use only Singapore in 1-5. I add in work from Extra Practice and Intensive Practice. However, when they get to 6th I do supplement from another curriculum just to give exposure to coordinate graphing, negative numbers, and a few other topics that pop up on standardized tests about that time. If it wasn't for the standardized testing, I probably wouldn't supplement at all. All these topics get covered in algebra I. I think Singapore does a great job preparing for high school math.

Mary

[annabanana1992]

I am a mathy person and a high school math teacher. We use Singapore Standards Edition (more review,etc.)TB, WB, and CWP and that is all we use. I think it is a great curriculum!

ps - I print free drill sheets off the internet for fact practice

[matroyshka]

I've used Singapore as our only math curriculum from pre-K to now (5th). I really feel like it's prepared them well, even my non-mathy dd.

I have supplemented with other things - manipulatives, worksheets - but not another whole curriculum. Well, I did spend one summer doing the Right Start abacus book (but not a whole level or anything), and we did LOF Fractions last summer, but that's when we were on summer break from Singapore. :-)

[Strawberry Queen]

I use Singapore for all of my math needs. At level 1 I just added in some extra drill sheets from an online program. I added in Extra Practice for level 3 and it's helpful. The Intensive Practice is harder than the text levels. They take what's in the text and make it a bit harder. Singapore math is gaining popularity in other countries and it will be in California soon. I think this makes it usable for people in the US. I personally use the Primary mathematics program since I don't have to teach imperial measurements.

As far as doing both kids at the same time goes it is usually easier to keep them doing different things. It's harder to compete when you're in different books. I have done similar lessons together, like if they're both covering measurement, then we measure things and have increased complexity for the older one. Feel free to move topics around to suit you as you go on so long as it doesn't build on another skill. For instance you can intersperse the geometry lessons as a break from harder concepts.

I hope this helps with your math teaching. Both of my dd's are flourishing with Singapore and I've learned to add in my head.:D

[Mary in GA]

I'll just add that I think people get a little stressed because the typical scope and sequence of American math books is so expansive compared to the scope and sequence of Singapore Math. I used to. I don't believe it's necessary to cover all those additional topics at the time the math books introduce them.

Mary

[jcooperetc]

but finally gave up, like you, on trying to coordinate them. Plus the Saxon seemed slow, compared to the Singapore, for us. We now use Singapore exclusively and add timed practice drill sheets and daily math sheets from Evan-Moor. Although there really seems to be quite a bit of arithmetic work in Singapore. It is just integrated into the problems. I think I was afraid to give up Saxon because I might be missing something. The Evan-Moor sheets pretty much cover any math topics that might be taught in public school and not covered by Singapore and only take a couple of minutes per day.

[elegantlion]

We used only Singapore last year. This year we added in LOF only because ds thinks its fun. We use the CWP books also, but Singapore is a stand only program, IMO.

[Spy Car]

Singapore math is gaining popularity in other countries and it will be in California soon.

For what it's worth, my nephew (7) attends one of the most academically esteemed private schools in the Los Angeles area (one with a very strong math/science reputation) and they are using Singapore Math "Standards Edition" as their stand-alone math program.

An article in the LA Times has led to a clamor among public school parents for adopting Singapore Math as well.

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/mar/09/local/me-math9

We are using Singapore Earlybird with my 4.5 year-old son, but play with Miquon (which we both love, and would not give up), Japanese Math, and MEP as well.

Bill

[dawn of ns]

We use Singapore with Key to... for review and extra work as well as IP and CWP. If you have Singapore for concepts then it seems to me the only extra stuff you'd need is for review. Not another full program.

[mcconnellboys]

I've done only Singapore many years in past. The company puts out plenty of supplemental workbooks now that can give you all the extra practice you need.

[Laura Corin]

We use Singapore - the text book, workbook and problem sums. The only thing we add in are some cheap drill workbooks from about third grade up.

Laura

[Cadam]

I think that Singapore is an excellent stand alone program. It has many supplementary, optional materials if you want or need them.

[mariposa]

I think I just needed "permission" to use only Singapore - I really do prefer it. I like that there is more freedom to learn the concepts in a way that works the best for us, rather than Saxon, which is so scripted.
Thank you very much especially for those of you who told me the things that you do add for additional practice. I think we will have a happier math experience for the kids and for me next year thanks to your input!
Also, I didn't even realize that there were different editions that would be harder or easier - definitely going to check those out.
Thanks again,
Sarah

[3blessingmom]

I just switched to Singapore from Horizon's. Ds is loving it and learning. He is doing 1A TB WB and CWP. We also have Miquon and I am bringing that out when the mood strikes, but I don't think it's necessary at all.

[amsunshine]

Just chiming in to say we love Singapore, although we are fairly new -- just we finished their regular level 1 and have gone through the IP 1A and are now moving through IP 1B. The Intensive Practice workbooks are especially wonderful. My dd7 loves all the mindbending puzzles and the extra challenge they present. You'll do fine with just Singapore -- like others have said, if you need to kick it up a notch, use the IP or the CWP or both.

[ElizabethB]

Just chiming in to say we love Singapore, although we are fairly new -- just we finished their regular level 1 and have gone through the IP 1A and are now moving through IP 1B. The Intensive Practice workbooks are especially wonderful. My dd7 loves all the mindbending puzzles and the extra challenge they present. You'll do fine with just Singapore -- like others have said, if you need to kick it up a notch, use the IP or the CWP or both.

That's basically me! Just switched, love it, on 1A, my daughter loves the Intensive Practice workbooks, the extra challenge problems especially.

We do supplement with twice weekly fact drill with the Flashmaster. My daughter needs extra practice with her math facts, the Flashmaster is a quick and fairly painless way to do it. (Still a bit painful, but less painful than all the alternatives we've tried.)

[kalanamak]

I think I just needed "permission" to use only Singapore - I really do prefer it.

I'm moving further and further away from miquon, or should I say my son is. I don't think we touched it in December.

Besides the extra and intensive books, we play a lot of math card games. These days we each turn up three Uno cards (1-12, no face cards) and he adds them up and the bigger number takes the pile. If he is not doing an obvious shortcut rearrangement (1+8+9, but not grouping for the 10, e.g.) I might rearrange the cards and ask if that makes it easier.

We are "ahead" of where Singaporean children would be, so I lollygag, these days, at any point that doesn't come easily. This is one of SM beauties....by having a bare bones text, you can trot through the things kiddo just picks up with ease, and stop and pick flowers in the topic s/he doesn't.