And thank you all for keeping the ideas coming! I appreciate them ALL!

I agree with you. I also have a 2nd grader that is doing Singapore (went through 1A and 1B last year - is in 2B now). I have to admit that last year, I had some trouble teaching the 4th and 5th grade Singapore methods because I didn't understand it. There were MANY times I had to pull out the home educator's manual to see how on earth they expected a chid to get an answer that I only knew how to get using algebra. However, this semester, I've "found my groove" and it makes MUCH more sense to me, therefore I can explain it to her better. DD in 5th grade CAN work the problems like Singapore does it. She just prefers my "old" way. However, when she gets stuck and can't figure out how to set up the problem using my ways, she uses the Singapore method and can set up her problems correctly and get the right answer. She had just rather do it the way I know to do it. 2nd grade DD totally gets the Singapore method and loves it. :)

Thank you all so much for your suggestions! Sue, I'm curious...why do you hestitate to recommend Foerster based on her age? Is the look of the textbook intimidating, material that they cover, etc? She is an older fifth grader. Birthday falls in early September, so she is 11 most of her fifth grade year. She is doing 6th & 7th grade material, and we are considering skipping 8th grade if she stays way ahead. Her best friends are 1-2 years ahead of her in school (grade-wise), so she really acts and thinks more like 6th grade. I'm not lobbying anything. :) From looking at the boards, it looks like you're very familiar with many of the different curriculums, so I'd like to pick your brain as much possible on the best for my DD. teehee Again, thank you for your help everyone!

Jennynd, we haven't done CWP and IP. That is a great idea to help fill in the rest of the school year so I can put off the Algebra a little while. Does it bother your DS to not be able to finish all of the problems in AOPS? I really like the idea of AOPS, but my DD just got frustrated with it because she couldn't finish it.

Dot, I have considered that, but she doesn't really get Singapore's way of thinking. I think part of that is because we didn't start until 4th grade. She can do the problems, but most of the time it's not like they want her to. She understands the way I learned it more than she understands Singapore's way of doing it. Even with me explaining the Singapore methods and working problems with her, she typically responds with, "Will it work if I do it this way?"...and "this way" is the old fashioned way of doing problems. Although she is very bright for her age and thinks outside the box, she seems to "get" the old-school way of doing math moreso than the Singapore way. I was a bit concerned about continuing with Singapore just because I was afraid that she couldn't follow their higher level courses. That being said, I haven't seen their series past 6th grade, so I don't know if she could continue and maybe be able to see things the way they present it. ??

Hey Guys! I have a 5th grade student that is almost done with pre-algebra. Last year was our first homeschool year and we landed with Singapore for math. This year, I'm using Singapore 6A, 6B, MUS pre-algebra, a little bit of AOPS, and the Making Algebra Child's Play manipulatives. The MUS pre-algebra isn't as challenging as I had hoped, so I'm supplementing as needed. Basically, we start with the MUS pages and then move on to more challenging problems, even if I have to make them up. I expected pre-algebra (all of the curriculum mentioned) to take us a year and a half to get through, taking us through fall of 2013. BUT, my DD will be done by the end of January. I've looked at the Saxon placement tests and she would easily test into Saxon algebra. I'm not a big Saxon fan because of the way it jumps around. The sequence doesn't make sense to me and she thinks a lot like I do. She isn't fond of AoPS because she "needs" (in her mind) to be able to complete a lesson, and that isn't always possible in AoPS, which is why we only use it occasionally. I've purchased used copies of Foerster's and Saxon (even though I haven't been a big fan in the past) to look at, but they haven't come in yet. Our school administrator recommends Saxon, which is why I even gave it any thought. DD is very good at math, but doesn't love it. I want something challenging, but not to the point that she can't complete all of the problems (like AoPS) because that only frustrates her. Any suggestions?