RSM Level G or SingMath CC 6th grade

[LolaT]

Another math curric. question.

 

My oldest went through RightStart Math (RSM) Levels B through E in K through 4th grade.  This past year, we went to Singapore Math CC 5th Grade. 
 

I'm trying to evaluate what to do for 6th grade in the fall. Should I go to RSM Level G Geometry and do it over two years, or should I just continue with Singapore Math for 6th grade?

DD does participate in CC state testing and so far she has done fine. While I don't put that much stock in the tests, it would bother me (and probably her) if she wasn't able to pass next year because she was only doing Geometry the whole time.  I also considered trying to do them concurrently somehow, though that might be a bit cost prohibitive. Any thoughts?

[Micron4]

We are not quite at that level yet, but thinking about next year (will start RSE this fall). One thing to remember is that Joan Cotter recommends also starting Videotext concurrently with the geometry level. The videotext prealgebra module would provide plenty of extra math practice. Of course it is an expensive way to go.

 

I spent a while at the convention right start booth and took a really good look at level g. This is the first level that is written directly to the student and meant to be done fairly independently. It looks challenging and robust. I think that it would be wonderful for a child who really enjoys math, but it might frustrate other kids who would rather have a more straightforward program.

[LolaT]

My impression was that Level G is more advanced, maybe for 7th-8th grade level, that's why we didn't go to it last year after completing Level E, and consequently the reason I'm reconsidering it now, a year later, but still not sure if it's too advanced for a young 6th grader.  However, when I called RSM about it the other day, they just said it was for 5th-6th graders. ???  I do like that it's written directly to the student so they can do as much of it on their own as they can.

I'm not familiar with the Videotext prealgebra module at all. Do you have any more info on that, #Micron4?

[Goldilocks]

 My oldest used RS G. We used something else for 5th because I thought that G would be too hard in 5th.  He did it in 6th, but I really think he could have done it in 5th.

 

So, I am remembering back several years, but G is nothing like high school geometry. It is using the discovery method to determine geometry principles. This requires that the child do a lot  of calculations and measurements. It is very detailed. If a measurement of an angle is just a few degrees off, then the whole thing doesn't work. It can be frustrating.  

 

The child is practicing all the operations every day.  In fact, almost too much.  I made the mistake of not looking at the lessons ahead of time and would check up on my child to see that he had to do 20 long division problems to "discover" a mathematical principle. He needed the practice with long division, just not that much. I should have let him use a calculator for some of that.

 

Even with all that, he really loved the program. We made it about 2/3 through the book. 

 

My next two children are easily frustrated and complain about everything, so I went with Math Mammoth instead.

[Micron4]

Videotext has an Algebra package that covers pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2. The "algebra readiness" (pre-Algebra) module is available separately for around $100 (cheaper if online version). I haven't personally used these, just stopped by the booth at convention. It looks like a combo of video teaching and written work.

 

Hope that helps! And update the thread once you figure out what you're doing, if you don't mind.

[LolaT]

Hmm, I guess I need to learn more about Vidoetext (what a terrible name for an Algebra curric.). I also just ran across AoPS which appears to be a pre Algebra curric.  It's hard to see anything about these with just a preliminary scan of their websites.