Help with Singapore-type math--1st grade

[jkl]

dd5 is doing MIF 1a.  She blew through Essentials and we started MIF 1 around the time she turned 5 (almost 2 months ago.  She seems to be a bit advanced across the board).  We are almost finished with Chapter 4, and I don't think she is quite "getting it" the way she is supposed to be.  I am in no rush at all, so I want to stop and solidify some of these concepts, but I'm not sure exactly what to do.  I'm hoping someone could give me some tips.  I have and have extensively used the teacher's manual (I am really not mathy, and this way of teaching is difficult for me, but I think it is the best way, so...). I have several resources in the house (cuisenaire  rods, the entire math mammoth curric, sum swamp, the MIF extra practice book), and I'm about to go to a big curric sale, so I'm trying to make a specific plan.  DD needs more practice in

 

-knowing what 2 numbers make 6, for example (she can do this with manipulatives, but it seems like she's supposed to be able to do it without manipulatives).

 

-problems like if the whole number is 8 and one part is 3, what's the other part (again, she can do this if I help her act it out with manipulatives)

 

-Subtracting using counting on or counting back. She can do either with a number line, but again, it seems like the curric is wanting her to do it mentally.

 

-Answering problems like what is 3 less than 8 (again, she can do it if she uses manipulatives).

 

Is it ok that she is using cubes or her fingers or drawings to figure out these problems?  I almost feel like it would be much easier if she already had her facts memorized.  Should we be doing that this early?  Any help is appreciated!  :)

[TKDmom]

My dd6 is currently using Singapore 1B and she has the same kinds of problems. Everything is counted on her fingers. I've used up through 4B, and knowing that she will have lots of review over the years keeps me from panicking. My other kids seemed to pick up mental math more easily, but I think it's perfectly normal for kids to be very concrete thinkers at this age. If she's still struggling with math facts at the end of 2nd grade, I will add in flash cards and XtraMath. Right now, I just give her our AL Abacus and let her count.

[fourisenough]

Addition Facts that Stick by Kate Snow (a fellow WTM boardie). Stop what you're doing with MiF for about 6 weeks and go through Kate's lessons/play her games. They were magic for my first-grader this year.

[jkl]

My dd6 is currently using Singapore 1B and she has the same kinds of problems. Everything is counted on her fingers. I've used up through 4B, and knowing that she will have lots of review over the years keeps me from panicking. My other kids seemed to pick up mental math more easily, but I think it's perfectly normal for kids to be very concrete thinkers at this age. If she's still struggling with math facts at the end of 2nd grade, I will add in flash cards and XtraMath. Right now, I just give her our AL Abacus and let her count.

Thanks!  I have no problem with her still using manipulatives at this age, It just seems like the text is expecting her not to??  maybe I'm misreading it.

 

Addition Facts that Stick by Kate Snow (a fellow WTM boardie). Stop what you're doing with MiF for about 6 weeks and go through Kate's lessons/play her games. They were magic for my first-grader this year.

Ha!  This was just recommended to me for my other daughter.  Looks like it's a purchase I'll have to make.  Thanks!!

[lulalu]

This is normal for her age. This will help the concepts stick. Most 5 year old to 8 need to physically see and do math.

[Kiara.I]

I'd really encourage manipulatives more and fingers less. In Rightstart, we're told to let the child use manipulatives as long as they want/need.

 

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[Ausmumof3]

I think I read somewhere else on this forum that in Singapore where the programmes started kids do a lot of separate math fact practice as kind of part of the culture. I have found that my kids don't pick up all the math facts with the programme we have to do a bit of work separately to get them solid.

[boscopup]

Let her use manipulatives even if the text seems to not want them used. You're the teacher, and you're using a first grade text with a 5 year old. Most 5 year olds still need manipulatives. My 5 year olds did first grade texts with manipulatives also. Now I can't remember the last time we used a manipulative, and my youngest just started Singapore 3 a couple months ago. When he was doing first grade math, he always had manipulatives available (his favorite was chocolate chips).

 

The mental math concepts are repeated each year.

 

I also agree with the PP that you may need to add more fact practice in there, but it's also ok to wait and see if you need it.

 

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[SparklyUnicorn]

I agree it is normal and it is ok IMO if she uses fingers and counters.  One of mine liked using a number line. 

 

I used SM with both at that age,  Along with that we did a lot of math games.  Those were helpful. 

[jkl]

Thank you everyone!  This type of math is new to me.  Just want to do it correctly!  I feel much better now!  :)

[SparklyUnicorn]

The books will also repeat that stuff over and over again in the next years. 

 

One book I really liked for game ideas was Kitchen Table Math.

 

 

[fralala]

I think I read somewhere else on this forum that in Singapore where the programmes started kids do a lot of separate math fact practice as kind of part of the culture. I have found that my kids don't pick up all the math facts with the programme we have to do a bit of work separately to get them solid.

 

Interesting! I also heard that kids in Singapore generally don't start math until first grade, and perhaps that is because it is easier for many kids to make the jump from concrete and pictorial to abstract once they are 6-7?

 

I know I didn't want to do any memorization of facts until I was confident my daughter (in Singapore 1a/b) could understand and compute the problems, because that would be skipping a crucial step in comprehension. But we do lots of mental math drills now that she has caught on! We spent a lot of time playing with different kinds of manipulatives and making our own bean counters, though, first!

[SoCal_Bear]

In Singapore, kids don't start the Primary Math program until what we would call 2nd grade. Kindergarten is a 2 year program which families have to pay for. Don't assume that kids are not learning math. It starts very early there. Families enroll their kids in what we would consider academic preschool and kindergarten programs if they can afford to. This means children from less advantaged families are at a distinct disadvantage.

There is a race starting quite young for skill acquisition in order to gain an edge for students as soon as they enter primary school. My sister enrolled my nephew in a local school there, and it was a harsh and difficult experience. The schools do not cater to the student. It is sink or swim. Parents are on the hook for making sure their kids are learning and not falling behind. So, it is very common to see all these kids enrolled in after school academic programs. Basically more school after school. These are programs that are working with students on drilling them on math facts, etc. 

My sister pulled him out after a month when it became clear it was not going to work. She moved him to an international school that serves expats instead. She didn't even bother to try with her 2nd because she has several LDs.