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Singapore Math Intensive Practice-vs-Challenging Word Problems


Country Girl
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I'm still trying to decide if Singapore is the way I want to go but first I have a question. Can someone please explain to me the difference between Singapore Math's Intensive practice books and Challenging Word Problem books? Why would I choose one over the other or should I get both?

 

Thanks!

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Just my opinion.... but you don't NEED both. The CWP is ONLY word problems, but it does have a couple of pages at the beginning of each chapter showing worked examples. The IP does not provide ANY examples or instruction, but it has very challenging problems, including some word problems.

 

We use only the textbook and same level IP, but I know many who use textbook, workbook, and CWP all on the same level followed by IP a year behind for review (ie use 2B IP while going through 3B).

 

If this is your only math program (or if your dc benefit from review), it might be a good idea to do both CWP and IP since they don't require a lot of time or cost a lot.

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Challenging Word Problems is a book of word problems arranged in the following manner:

 

The word problems are arranged by topic. The introduction to the topic illustrates two methods of bar diagrams that can be used to illustrate the solution of the word problem. There are two sets of word problems for each topic a basic set and a challenging set. The basic set will include less steps and the challenging set will require more steps.

 

The Intensive Practice is also organized by topic but has fewer word problems. However, it contains exercises in which the child can apply an algorithm. This would be useful if the child did not have enough practice problems for learning long division in the textbook, for example. The Intensive Practice book also has few fun "puzzlers" such as magic squares included with each topic.

 

Now that I'm on my third kid in Singapore I'm finding that I rely more on the Word Problem book and less on Intensive Practice, if my child needs more practice with algorithms I can find drill sheets on line. I don't just use the word problems to simply teach reasoning, but also to teach the kid how to properly express the multiple steps involved in a single equation. The ability to write out multiple steps horizontally as a single equation is a useful skill to take with you to algebra.

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We use CWP once a week and do a whole chapter.

Someone on the Singapore Yahoo group recommended that you do IP after you had finished that set. So after 4A we do 4A IP. It cements the knowledge and challenges them.

We find that both supplements are excellent.

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The Intensive Practice is basically divided into 3 sections for each unit. The first section contains some problems similar to those in the workbook and some problems that I think are a bit harder than what is found in the workbook. They make great review. The second section has word problems (usually 10). The last section is take the challenge which requires good deal of mathematical reasoning. Math is not my DDs favorite subject so we skip this section, but I think any child that loves math would enjoy the challenge here.

 

The Challenging Word Problems is all word problems. Generally there are 20 problems per unit with the second 10 being a bit harder (often these require more than one step to solve).

 

We use the Intensive Practice throughout the year to review and reinforce topics. We use the CWP at the end of a grade level of books as sort of a final test to make sure the material is understood before moveing on to the next level.

 

HTH

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The difference between the two is that Intensive Practice is just that as Challenging Word Problems are word problems.

 

For Intensive Practice, if your child is having difficulty in a certain area and the regular workbook is not enough,then the Intensive Practice gives more practice problems to help your child understand the concept.

 

For Challenging Word Problems, it is the same idea, but the word problems are designed to give you more of the word problems than are offered from the regular workbook.

 

The issue with the both of them is they do not come with a teacher's guide to help you to figure out how to solve the problems. I found that the word problems in the 4A&B level to be rather challenging. However, there is a teacher's guide for the regular programs. The intensive practice and challenging word problems are truly supplements.

 

The main books are the textbook and workbook. The way that Singapore teaches is different because it concentrates on one subject and almost all aspects of the subject. If they are showing you fractions, they show you how to add and subtract them, then multiply them, etc. It teaches the same concepts like geometry only in small doses. It goes from halves and wholes in first grade to parallel and perpendicular lines in fourth grade.

 

I hope that is helpful.

 

Blessings,

Karen

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony

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The Intensive Practice is also organized by topic but has fewer word problems. However, it contains exercises in which the child can apply an algorithm. This would be useful if the child did not have enough practice problems for learning long division in the textbook, for example. The Intensive Practice book also has few fun "puzzlers" such as magic squares included with each topic.
I'm not sure this is how I'd characterize IP. Yes, there are some revision problems, but most of the problems are a more difficult than those in the text, or presented in a different or unexpected way. DD1 does very little, if any, of the workbook and uses IP instead because it's more challenging and keeps her engaged. I wouldn't recommend IP specifically for extra practice (these exist separately and are, I believe, called Extra Practice), but rather for kids who are adept at math and need the extra challenge. DD1 does IP and the "Challenging" section of CWP.
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I had a vision of a 1yr old doing IP and CWP and it made me smile. That would be one smart cookie.
Yeah, most people on this board seem to do DD(child's age)... she's just my first born. :)
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Thank you to everyone for giving so much detail and explanation of the two different books. I think I have a pretty good understanding of the ways that the two books can be used. You have all given me a lot of good information to think about, now I just have to decide what I think will be the best course of action for my son.

 

Thanks!:D

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