In looking at New Syllabus Math, I really like the review of pre-algebra concepts. I don't think that kind of review could hurt. I've never seen NEM actually so I don't know how that compares. I was drawn to NSM because the description made it sound like a more user-friendly version of NEM, ironic since there's no solution manual. That part might get us in trouble later on if we decide to continue with it. One question about NEM, from comments I've heard about it the questions are very challenging and long, requiring multiple steps. This scares me as dd's frustration tolerance is low, as well as her tendency to mis-write numbers as she jumps from one step to another. Would this be more of a problem using a Singapore math program versus an American program? And, is this something I should worry about? I'm wondering if Nan's son had this kind of problem. I read on another thread that Jacob's is good for right-brained kids. If that's the case, it might be a good fit for my daughter. So many choices...and all of them seem good.

I appreciate all the feedback regarding our choice for math, especially the comments about Calvert math. It seems that the potential problems with that are similiar to those my oldest had with the Everyday Math program they used in her ps. I like the idea of a conceptual approach, but haven't been happy with the outcome when the kids just done get their facts down. I've seen how lack of quick recall can really slow things down later. When I was learning math early on, I don't know how much I would have appreciated conceptual explanations. I think I would have thought, "Okay, just tell me what to do so I can get on with it." It's only later that I can see what it's all about. That's why I like the idea of using Abeka to get a foundation laid for the first few years and then moving on to Singapore.

Hi! This is my first post on this board. It's very nice to meet you all! We had to unexpectedly pull our dd out of school in September. Since we had the first volume of her school math book, we decided to use that. It was Houghton Mifflin. We decided not to go with vol. 2 because I wasn't happy that there were well over 100 pages at a time without addition and subtraction just in vol. 1. It was like having a summer vacation from math right in the middle of the school year for the purpose of forgetting everything. (Hope I'm not insulting any HM fans.) We then went on to Singapore PM 1B because that was where she placed. She sailed through the concepts but her weakness in retaining math facts was frustrating her. And, I was afraid of getting too far into multiplication when her addition facts were still gelling. So after Singapore 1B, I decided to try ABEKA 2 because I heard it's strong on drilling the facts. Well, she loves it and we are making great progress. Meanwhile, I was struggling a bit with doubts as to whether two of my four children were getting the best education they could (first year homeschooling..), and decided to buy two sets of Calvert when I was saw a great deal on used but unused curriculum. So I've got Calvert Math lined up for next year. Now to my question...Should I stay with ABEKA since it's working so well for her. Or, should I try Calvert math which looks great except for the fact that it does not review the facts like ABEKA does when I know that's her weakness. Calvert seems to take a real mastery approach focusing on one topic intensely for a time and then going on to another, meaning my dd might not get the continual review she needs to retain her fact. I'm wondering if anyone has any idea as to what might be best. Thank you! P.S. I still dream about going back to Singapore. I really like their stuff.

I've been lurking for the last week or so and have found this forum to be such an amazing resource. Now I've finally registered and can ask my first question... I have a 12 year old who came out of 5th grade in public school and Everyday Math last year. She placed in Saxon 1/2 but I decided to have her do 87 because I feared she had gaps. That level was a good move, but Saxon was not a good choice...BOY, DO I WISH I FOUND THIS FORUM LAST YEAR! Okay, having got that out of my system... We ditched Saxon just over halfway through the book. She was getting A's on her tests but math went from being her favorite to her least favorite subject. (FYI: She was always in the high math group in school, but was famous for spacing out in class. She somehow got the answers right but didn't always know what problem or page the rest of the class was on. It was a bit of a class joke the teacher told me. Using Saxon, she always knew how to do the problems but would make mistakes in copying numbers.) After Saxon, I had no idea what to do next but just happened to have a Math U See pre-algebra book sitting on my shelf which I had not used earlier because it seemed too easy. However, I was in a jam and let her start that. She loved that there was a manageable (perhaps too manageable) number of problems everyday. She's doing well, but I realize she needs something more rigorous since she was able to finish this book in about two months. So, my question is what do we do in two weeks when she'll be done Math U See Pre-Algebra. I purchased a used copy of Singapore's New Syllabus Math from a lovely lady on this forum (Hi, Lisa). I've also got my hands on a cheap Jacobs. Then I requested Lial's, Foerster's and Dolciani from interlibrary loan. These are all names I learned on this forum. (Thank you all!) I'll learn more as I preview these texts, but I'm still wondering about what I can do to best prepare her for the future considering she's twelve. She gets the concepts and can follow the steps to solve a problem but lacks attention in doing computations perhaps due to personality and immaturity. I hate to spend money on another book so I'm thinking of starting New Syllabus Math. The first several chapters will be a review for her and will apply what she already know to more difficult problems which seems like a good way to go. At the same time, I'm thinking, she knows pre-algebra, so why not start algebra with a traditional text and make things easier (cop out?). I would appreciate any suggestions...Thanks!