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Accelerating Math without any extras? Singapore? Disservice?


acsnmama
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If using Singapore, how beneficial is the program if not using any extras?

 

No HIG (with mental math exercise) no Intensive Practice, No Challenging Word Problems. Just going through the textbooks/workbooks.

 

I'm curious because I tend to try to reinforce things, and I like the mental math exercises in the back of the guide. I don't always refer to the HIG, other than for strategies. We also use IP and Challenging word problems. I probably have my son review things (in IP and CWP) than necessary, instead of just focusing on what needs extra practice. I know for a fact that my son would be nearly finished with Primary Math if we didn't do any extras, he gets math, though he's not a wiz, he's just good at it. Sometimes he finds word problems tricky, which is why we use CWP.

 

I'm not racing to the end, as I have all the "extras" and am using them. But I'm curious, is it a disservice if those extras aren't used?

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With my kids, I've decided that the disservice comes in requiring them to do all of the textbook and workbook exercises. 

 

Instead, I have them do *just enough* of the textbook and workbook that I'm confident they understand the material, and we then move on to the Challenging Word Problems (but only the ones that are actually challenging, not the ones that are basically practice problems). 

 

If I had my kids doing the textbook, workbook, intensive practice, HIG exercises, and CWP, I would think they were spending way too much time on math. 

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We complete the hardest TB problems in each section and then use the IP book (and CWP as time allows). We'll do all of the TB problems in necessary, but it's usually not. I think the IP is the best thing since sliced bread, so I would not skip it. If I had to use it a level behind, I would still not skip it.

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I'm going to sort of disagree. I think it would be a disservice if you did not do additional problem solving somehow. I don't think that it necessarily has to be the Singapore IP or CWP though. We do a lot of logic/strategy/problem solving work that is not in the Singapore books but comes from a tutor, other resources, or games. For my slow processor, big picture kid sometimes adding more problems just takes longer without producing any real benefit, whereas a real world problem or strategy game is a far more effective way to practice problem solving skills and review arithmetic.

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Thanks. How would I know for sure what is and is not necessary for my child?

 

I know for sure he could use more mental math practice, he's got the basics down really well, it's 3-4 digit numbers he takes a little longer for him to do. He know almost all of his multiplication facts without much thought, and he enjoys division.

 

I've found that after we review the textbook, he's good to go. New concepts may take a couple of exercises to fully understand, but typically he completes the workbook with ease. IP on the other hand does challenge him, it does make him think. I'd be hesitant to drop CWP because he finds some super easy, but others he gets confused, often times making them harder than they actually are because in his mind, word problems = a challenge.

 

I guess I'm nervous about not being thorough, to the point of bring too thorough I guess. My math education wasn't good, I haven't ever been that great at math, so I fear failing his education somehow!

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Honestly, SM without CWP and IPs is an easier program than what my kids used in PS. I am curious how many of those supplements kids in Singapore use.

That's interesting because that's the first time I've heard that it was easier than PS. I know that would vary depending on each school and the curriculum used. However, I know of new homeschoolers who assumed that their previously public schooled child would automatically need the Singapore level to match grade level. One was certain her son would be in 3B but decided to purchase 3A just in case of gaps, then found out through the placement test that her son placed in Singapore 2!

 

I know it's not more advanced than PS as a whole, but it have always heard it is typically a half year or more ahead.

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Honestly, SM without CWP and IPs is an easier program than what my kids used in PS. I am curious how many of those supplements kids in Singapore use.

CWP and IP are invented for the US market.

 

Supplements in Singapore are different. Parents buy up the math olympiad books for elementary school. They also buy a lot of test prep books.

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From some samples I've seen of different public school math programs, including Harcourt, the word problems don't seem any more difficult, but I much prefer the wording in Singapore. I would definitely describe Singapore word problems to be more straight forward and less confusing. Granted, we haven't done the PS programs, My son went to Kinder for a month and has been homeschooling since.

 

A friend who has a child in a local Public magnet program was super excited when her son who is the same age as mine and also 3rd grade brought home math that was something like: 9 + y = 13. Maybe this is review for him from 2nd grade since school just began, but then again, our state isn't known for its academics, another reason I'm thankful to homeschool!

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