Math programs

[kah]

I'm still on the fence about whether we'll homeschool next year or not, but like I've said a few other times- I'm serious enough about it that I'm pretty seriously getting my ducks in a row if we do decide to do it.

Talk to me about math. DD9 and DS6.5's PS uses Scott Foresman - Addison Wesley, and I don't have a problem with it. By that, I mean that it seems to teach things pretty much the traditional way, and that DD knows how to do multiple-digit addition and subtraction, and is beginning to learn multiple digit multiplication, and hasn't been thrown any curves that I've seen. They call borrowing and carrying "regrouping," but other than that, it all looks pretty much the same as it did in 1975.

The problem I do have with it is that they're beating it to death. Last year, they spent almost a month and a half on money and time. They'd done money in first grade too, and the only difference was that they added the half-dollar coin. DD was interested in the homework the first day, and able to do it just fine. Three weeks later, she hated it, didn't want to see it again, and was less able to count money or make change correctly than she was when they started. Then they moved on to time. Same thing.

I'd like something that teaches everything in a pretty traditional way. If I understand the concept of a spiral curriculum correctly- that you revisit things like +/-/*// at ever-higher levels (plain, money, decimal, fraction, etc.)- I'm happy with that. I'd like something that moves along quickly enough that it doesn't kill their interest. And I don't want to go off in some wild direction that would make it hard for them to transition back to PS in the future, if that seems like the best decision.

I'm sort of vaguely familiar with Singapore, Saxon, and MCP. I'm leaning toward Singapore for the workbook format (writing/rewriting is a big problem), for the relatively quick pace, and for the price. I'm concerned that their terminology is different- not sure in what way- I just think I read that somewhere. I know that a lot of people like Saxon- not sure what they like about it but I'd be happy to hear. And I'm pretty sure that MCP is more of the workbook format, like Singapore, and less expensive than Saxon.

Thoughts? :lol:

[Parrothead]

I don't use it, but I think something like Saxon is what you are looking for. It has been used in public school for years.

You might also like to supplement with Singapore. It teaches a lot of mental math. It does not teach math facts though. You'd need something separate to teach those. I was a bit disappointed with the one set I bought because I was looking for facts help.

[OhElizabeth]

Well sounds like Saxon would be the opposite of what you want, as it would be a ton of review, too much for your quick learner. As far as the others, did you know you can see sample pages both at the manufacturer websites (Singapore especially) but also at www.rainbowresource.com ? Math is kind of a personal thing, meaning it depends on the person. Singapore, BJU, Horizons, etc. are all good curricula. Is there a local support group in your area that will have a share night some time? Or can you attend your state's convention to see your options? My first math curriculum choice I decided in 20 minutes (back when dd was K5), and it worked out well. When we were ready to move on, several years later, I sweated and sweated what our next step would be, looking at seemingly everything, bought a bit of everything, tried a number of things (week of this, week of that), and then took the plunge. There's definitely a learning curve to math and no one right answer. Singapore might be great, unless you need more of a tm than what they provide. But for the right kid it can be really great. BJU works right now with my dd, because she likes the social and visual elements to it. So you just have to keep looking till you find the one that makes sense to you. Trust your gut and you'll be fine. :)

[kah]

What about using Singapore as a supplement/enrichment over the summer, before we have to make up our minds 100%? I'm thinking I may just order whatever book I think might be the closest fit for work they've recently done and work they might be getting into in the fall, and use it as more of a summer practice, just-for-fun book.

Another question- for that sort of use, is the textbook suitable for use as a "workbook?" It looks, from the preview pages at Singapore, that it would be- the two or three lessons they have posted seem to explain the concept and give a few practice examples. Still, it's only a half-dozen or so pages out of each book, that I've seen.

[plimsoll]

With Saxon you'll spend vast amounts of time reviewing and practicing material that's already been learned. I would only recommend Saxon if that kind of repetition is needed. If you felt that a month and a half on time and money was overkill, you will not like Saxon.

Singapore is great. Later on (when multiplication and division have been mastered), you may also want to look at Life of Fred.

If at some point more practice is needed in a given area, Singapore has books providing additional practice problems or you could pick up some inexpensive practice workbooks on the given topics from a bookstore.

Re using the textbook as the workbook -- I like to use the "Extra Practice for Primary Math" books for practice problems, since they have all the answers in the back (I did not buy the teacher's/instructor's book). I believe that if you get the instructor's book, that has the answers for the problems in the textbook.

[dopeyfav]

We use Saxon and like it. If you don't want the repetition, just do part of the problems. If and when your dc reaches a point where more practice is necessary, you have it readily available.

[mnllj7]

Saxon is great, Singapore is really good, Rightstart math is good and so is MUS. I am not crazy about the MCP but it is still good, as long as your child enjoys and is not getting bored. Their basics are all good. It's sad we cant go out and just let children try them all before we buy. (lol) nancyt.

[momto2Cs]

We love Saxon here (using 1 and 2). I like that in general (at least at this stage) it is not just pages of one type of problems, but instead, since they use a spiral approach, they have several types of problems in each lesson. For example, yesterday my son (Saxon 2) did a word problem, temperature charting, double digit addition with carrying, measuring and fractions. My daughter (Saxon 1) did a word problem with simple addition, identified placement to fifth place, identified more and less, counted sides of shapes, and practiced number writing.

We are supplementing ds's this year, since he was most of the way through 2 by the time we started in fall, with a regular math program called Math Steps. It has units all nicely divided by topic, and while it is good as a supplement, ds and I both like the integration of topics in Saxon.