FairProspects Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Is this a reasonable path? I know that Jacob's is more of a true algebra but are most students coming out of Singapore Standards fairly prepared for this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 DS went from MM6 to Jacobs. He is finally in his happy place with math--challenged but totally getting it. He really could have gone into algebra straight from MM5, but it's likely that the extra year gave him the maturity needed to tackle more complex equations. He's terribly adverse to writing out his solutions and I think asking that of him at 10 would have been difficult (the writing out, not so much the math itself), but that may be somewhat unique to him. He's a mental math guy all the way. Assuming Singapore and MM are similar in scope, I'd say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 T finished SM 6, did 2 chapters of DM 7 and started Saxon Algebra 1. She hasn't hit any major bumps, but we do take it slowly (we're on lesson 43) and I have pulled out some extra worksheets from Keys to Algebra along the way if I thought she was a bit lost. I think we will finish Algebra 1 with solid understanding by September or October, so it will take us a full 12 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I'm a fan of pre-algebra / middle school level integrated math. If you are trying to catch your child up for high school credits, I could see moving them through... But why skip a year of math? There's some good stuff in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 I'm not trying to catch him up or anything, but he is a 2E backwards kid who has been waiting for algebra all his life. It is just more how he thinks, while the calculations of arithmetic just slow him down and make him dislike math. It is more an effort to get him to enjoy math again, but I'm also debating having him do Derek Owens pre-algebra first. I know I can't take teaching another year of arithmetic to him even if it is a review. There are too many battles and misunderstandings (he thinks like a mathematician and I do not). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Jacobs starts with a gentle introduction to algebra, and really, the first 5 or so chapters are the algebra part of prealgebra. However, most prealgebra programs include a big huge review of arithmetic as well, so I only recommend moving straight to Jacobs if the student is rock solid on arithmetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I'm also debating having him do Derek Owens pre-algebra first. DO would be an excellent choice for a student who wants some algebra but needs an extra year of consolidation before moving into a full strength algebra program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 SM6 covers almost everything in pre-algebra. We did negative numbers and easy equations in DM before we switched to Saxon for non-math reasons. DM starts in with a few pre-algebra topics, the first half of algebra and quite a bit of geometry and probability. It's not a typical American pre-algebra course because that was covered in SM6. OP, I'd try Jacobs. If you find it's too much, try Keys to Algebra for a gentle introduction to algebra. It's not intimidating at all and it introduces all the key concepts. But, try Jacobs first, it may well go smoothly without any other preparation at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I'm a fan of pre-algebra / middle school level integrated math. If you are trying to catch your child up for high school credits, I could see moving them through... But why skip a year of math? There's some good stuff in there. Because some kids are ready to move on. My son had been waiting for algebra since grade 1or 2. The in between years were often torturous for him no matter how quickly he flew through the work, just waiting to get to "real math". If I understood it the way he does, I would have been more comfortable allowing him to progress even more quickly. It was my own math fear that held him back. Finally he's in his math-happy place; yet more years of "pre algebra" would have been a disservice. The OP's son sounds like he's in a similar position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 DS#1 went from Singapore 6A/B to Jacob's Algebra. We did have a year in between that included some of Singapore NEM1 plus a skim-review of Saxon Pre-Algebra , but I don't think DS would have had any trouble going straight from Singapore 6A/B to Jacobs -- the Jacob's is very gentle, incremental, and the first chapter or two review basic concepts. He is very naturally math-minded, but he was also an older student -- 6th grade/12yo doing Singapore 6A/B, and 8th grade/14yo doing Jacobs. I do like the idea of the previous posters of solidifying skills by going through Keys to Algebra as an "intro to Algebra", or do a skim review of a Pre-Algebra program first, esp. if your student is young. That allows for a little more time for maturing of the abstract reasoning portions of the brain that are heavily needed for success and ease of doing Algebra 1 & 2. Spending a little time earlier on strengthening foundations can save you a lot of time and tears later on in high school with the higher maths. ;) JMO! BEST of luck, whatever you decide. Warmest regards, Lori D. ETA: Just saw your second post mentioning the 2E, but he's been wanting the Algebra, but also you can't take another year of battles to do review. What about doing both simultaneously? A resource to solidify Pre-Algebra and calculations, and start into the Jacobs at a gentle pace. From your signature, it looks like DS is quite young (10yo), so you can take 1.5 to 2 years on the Jacobs and enjoy it while doing something else, too. Or, if he moves quickly through the Jacobs, do a second more rigorous Algebra 1 afterwards for the challenge -- maybe Art of Problem Solving, or Dolciani's Algebra 1. Or, again, the Keys to Algebra might be a great compromise -- more than Pre-Algebra, but great foundational material to ensure success with Algebra. Or, as another previous poster said, go ahead and straight up try Jacobs. You can always add in something to go along for support, or stop the Jacobs from time to time if needed and focus on a unit of supplemental material if you discover DS needs occasional backing up or support. Just brainstorming ideas! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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