********* Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Ok, my son is almost 5 1/2. Last year, we did CLE 1st grade math, got through the whole year's curriculum in like 7 months. He can add and subtract two or three digit numbers in his head, and has also figured out multiplication, even though we've never 'learned' it. So when we started second grade a few weeks ago, we started CLE 2nd grade math. The problem is, he's always been the most 'advanced' in math, and I think the curriculum is boring him. We do a 'speed drill' every day, which is 28 addition/subtraction facts, and it is two minutes timed. He almost always finishes all of the facts with time to spare, and almost always gets them all right. I know CLE uses as 'spiral' aproach, which I like, but I'm not sure ds does. He gets bored/annoyed with doing things that, well, I qoute, 'I already know how to do this'. I can tell that it is not challenging him enough, but I don't know what to do?! I've looked ahead in the teacher's manual, to see what new skills will be taught, and there seems to be some pretty important things that he wouldn't learn if we just went ahead and skipped to the third grade material. Is it ok for me to just put together my own lessons based on the 'new' stuff, then give him the test and see if he can pass it? I mean, I know it's ok, but, well, is it ok? I really feel like I don't know what I'm doing; he's my oldest, and with being 'ahead of the curve' so to speak, especially in math, I just don't know what to do sometimes. Please, someone with some experience, help! I don't know much (ok, I know zilch) about any other math curriculums besides CLE, and I'm a bit nervous about switching. I'd almost rather just use the teacher's guide from CLE as a reference for myself to make sure he's learning what he should be, but make our own lessons that move at his pace. Does this make sense? Is there something better I can use to guide me in the 'important math concepts you should learn in second grade' area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 I suggest looking at Singapore Math. It's easier to move through concepts that are already understood w/o continually reviewing them. The Challenging Word Problems and Intensive Practice workbooks are great for kids who'd like to take the concepts further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetreasurs Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Sure it is okay. Keep in mind that 2nd grade has the most review of any grade so that a child who remembers last years lessons will be bored with the beginning of a second grade text. Perhaps you could move forward to the part that is not a review for your son?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted September 19, 2008 Author Share Posted September 19, 2008 We did skip the first unit of the second grade book, since it is strictly review of first grade. We started in the second unit of second grade math, and he's still bored. What about a book like 'What Your Second Grader Needs to Know' or something? Would that be more detailed, or would it be basically the same info as what I'll get from looking in the teacher's manuals that I already have for second grade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Coast Sue Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 I don't have much experience b/c my kids are 7, 5, and 3. But, we are in a similar situation and here is what I have for my kids... I will add that I haven't really tried very hard to structure math until their 6th birthday unless they ask for more.... which usually seems to happen. Just want to make it clear that I am not pushing my kids to do this stuff. 7 yr old: Life of Fred, Math Detectives workbook, Aleks 5th grade math (go to Aleks.com for a free 30 day trial) and we have a Teaching Company math video course for her to watch occasionally. 5 yr old: Singapore Challenge problems and occasionally the workbook, Mathblaster software/game for fun. I don't make my 5 yr old do math so - it is ok for her to play the games for some fun learning. I have gone through so much turmoil trying to figure out math and science for my kids. I usually am in for another round of searching just when I feel like I have it figured out b/c they zip through everything so quickly. Please feel free to send an e-mail if you want to exchange ideas on curriculum. I can't ever find anyone who knows what its like to raise & teach gifted kids. Best wishes, Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuff Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 That's what I'm doing now for my DS. We had been using R&S, which isn't a good choice. (moves too slow) I've basically been picking things in the book that he needs more practice with and having him do that. We're switching to a MUS/Singapore combo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love2read Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 We skipped 2nd grade math and went into Horizons 3 with Singapore challenging word problems. The horizons have enough computation to keep them sharp and introduce new tasks daily. It's easy to skip ahead if something is too easy also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetreasurs Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 What Your Second Grader Should Know might work quite well. I find it easier to have a workbook but that is a personal preference. MCP Math could be a good choice since the presentation is by topic. You could easily pick and choose the chapters needed. An advanced child would probably need to bump up a grade level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Several years ago, on the old AL Board, I was having the same trouble with my now 10 yo but witih Saxon. It was there that I learned about Singapore Math and how it's often a good fit for mathy dc. We love it, and just added CWP this year. I wish I'd done CWP with it from the start, but I was doing MUS for my vs 10 yo (then 6 or 7) to help her learn her math facts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 I suggest looking at Singapore Math. It's easier to move through concepts that are already understood w/o continually reviewing them. The Challenging Word Problems and Intensive Practice workbooks are great for kids who'd like to take the concepts further.:iagree:DD the Elder uses IP in lieu of the workbook and CWP. We supplement with Primary Grade Challenge Math and have all the Murderous Maths books for free reading. Math typically takes up no more than 15 minutes of our day, and she's still accelerating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naturalmom Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I'm using Singapore Math, but skipping the workbooks and instead using Intensive Practice and Challenging Word Problems. I've found it to be a good approach - and you can still skip through anything that seems too basic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I'm not sure exactly how CLE is structured. We've used Saxon (which is also spiraled) with a smattering of Singapore Challenging Word Problems. There is nothing wrong with working well above the number on the book. That number fits an average student. But it could be quite normal for a student to be working well above or below that number for any number of reasons. Just schooling year round has put us a couple books ahead. It is also ok to spot check understanding in a book and move ahead faster than what is programmed. In Saxon some parents like to give the tests instead of lessons until they hit concepts that are new. One thing to watch out for is a lesson on an understood concept that is used to introduce a new concept. For example a money lesson that is introducing a multiplication family. You might even be able to skip a book entirely, resting on your son's ability and understanding and the fact that the beginning of most books has a lot of review. We did this with one of the middle Saxon books and it was a good thing for us. It kept math as something of a challenge instead of making it drudgery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 We skipped 2nd grade math and went into Horizons 3 with Singapore challenging word problems. The horizons have enough computation to keep them sharp and introduce new tasks daily. It's easy to skip ahead if something is too easy also. This is the approach I took with my 12 yos. He skipped Horizons 2 and went right into 3. In 4th grade he finished both the 5th and 6th grade books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 Sorry, either I'm really dense, or your post has nothing to do with second grade math. :001_smile: Anyway, what we've been doing the past few days is moving through the CLE level 200 books at two lessons a day. We skip any review of concepts that I know are concrete for him. It's actually been going smoother than making him trudge through all of one lesson, since this way he doesn't get as bored. We are, of course, working on all sections that introduce a new concept. He just picks them up quickly, so there hasn't been an issue with him learning two or three new things a day. But, now I'm gonna need the level 300 books before I planned. Alas, that is for a different post in 'Want to Buy'...:tongue_smilie: Blessings, Bethany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 When our 12 yos was in 1st grade he taught himself his multiplication tables. He skipped Horizons 2 (or 2nd grade) and went straight into Horizons 3 (or 3rd grade). He completed 2 grade levels of Horizons (5 and 6) when he was in 4th grade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted September 27, 2008 Author Share Posted September 27, 2008 I know it looks like I said I didn't understand your post... Someone had come and posted after you, and it appeared to be a poorly veiled advertising attempt. I believe the post was removed. YOUR post I understood... :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouseacademy Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 I'm using Singapore Math, but skipping the workbooks and instead using Intensive Practice and Challenging Word Problems. I've found it to be a good approach - and you can still skip through anything that seems too basic. Why do you use the challenging word problems and Intensive practice rather than the workbook? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Why do you use the challenging word problems and Intensive practice rather than the workbook?We do it because DD picks up concepts quickly (the textbook is usually sufficient), and the problems in IP and CWP are more difficult than those in the workbook and provide a greater level of challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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