Got your ping...I only have a few minutes because we spent the morning in a doctor's office...so you're getting my random thoughts: 1. Depending on what your state rules are re: homeschooling (ie required hours, etc.) you may have more flexibility staying in the public school system and doing a home study program with an IEP. I'm not talking about the charter programs out there--but the specialty programs most school districts have for medically complex kids. The other advantage of this is that some states require public school enrollment to access their equipment bank, but you can get a lot of high end equipment that insurance won't cover. In our previous state, almost all pediatric services for the deaf and blind ran through schools, and our insurance had a ton of hoops to get a dynavox and some of that other stuff--way easier to get it through schools. I just have a minute, but if you want to talk more about this pm me. I think there are a few others on this board who have done similar things, but not many. 2. Our goal has been education rather than life skills/bonding/etc. given the particular needs of our children. Between my 5 kids, the two with the most medical issues have also been gifted. Not just bright, gifted. I'm making this distinction specifically because being gifted is a blessing and a curse. (curse---the challenges that come with the emotional intensity of gifted children is not to be minimized.) If you are dealing with a kid who is gifted (and it sounds like he is) you cannot put school on hold. You've got to feed that brain and engage that curiosity or, IME, there are repercussions. Find that thing that makes your kid's eyes light up and make sure that happens on a regular basis. In your case, keep the math tutor. Make that every bit as important as a therapy appointment, because it is therapy, iykwim. With my average or bright kids who are healthy, it's not a big deal if school happens irregularly. For my gifted ones, they've needed a lot of structure and consistency and they've needed school time. Does this make sense? It's been a very different dynamics in contrast to, say, Maria Montessori's "Play is the work of children" notion. For my non-gifted kids, spending time doing science experiments or an art project or building a Roman aqueduct with clay was this bonding moment. My gifted kids just kinda eyeroll me on that. As much as possible, and I know it's hard, try to find a routine and keep to it. We did M, W, F hospital days and T, R were for at home. We also tried to find facilities where we could knock it all out at once--I found a combined SLP/OT/PT practice close to the pediatric hospital and it was worth it. 3. Embrace the reality that you're in. For my kid that's severely dysgraphic, there's just no point in belaboring handwriting beyond a functional signature. Likewise, if you're looking at the big picture of what gets you from where you are at currently to what he needs to graduate---prioritize. Math up through Algebra 2 (ideally, calculus) and the ability to write/organize/dictate a coherent essay are probably the most important things. If he's going to have an independent life, those two things will nail standardized testing and get you college ready. I think sometimes homeschoolers get caught up on content (19th century british writers! history in 400AD! the kreb cycle!) and neglect skill. You are working under so many other constraints that you must operate with a surgeon's scalpel rather than a blunt hammer! 4. Utilize audio whenever you can. History: I recommend Story of the World for history (even though book 1 is aimed at 1st graders, we have---all of us---listened to it in our vehicles multiple times and enjoyed it. We kind of roll our eyes in the first few chapters of book 1, but only there). I would say the 4 books can be comfortably used through 8th grade. We've used her adult series for high school with our oldest. We started with CDs back in ye olden days, but they are available through Audible. If you can get the school district to hook you up with Bookshare (qualifying physical disability--or you can do this independently--we did), they are there also. Science: watch Nature and Nova. These are easily downloadable. (Look into PBS passport!) I also put 2-3 books on hold each week, and tucked them into the book bag. There are a number of good science magazines also.... I think I saw somewhere else on the boards that he's hanging out in an infusion lab. I'd preload content onto an iPad and hand it over. Bill Nye the Science Guy, Kratt Brothers, Blue Planet, whatever he finds engaging. Math: Christian Light Education and Singapore Math Primary Series are both slender and tuck easily into a backpack and require no manipulatives. Language Arts: We did grammar and writing together, usually with me scribing, and then the stack of books method for reading. If holding a book is hard, go to audiobooks. I was very picky about what books we read. I usually allowed one popular fluff book (like the Percy Jackson series) and we had two non-fluff books. I gleaned those titles from the Story of the World Activity guide, the Moving Beyond the Page catalog, the classics list, or from non-fiction titles in the science section of the library. Ds was able to find nearly everything he needed on audio. For grammar, I'd look at Exercises in English. The Spectrum workbooks for reading and writing are decent as well. We have watched a ton of PBS shows over the years. At 9, I don't recommend a ton of Khan Academy lectures or CrashCourse lectures.... I'd aim for things that are going to give him some context, some vocabulary, and that are just interesting. If learning is a place his mind can escape to, lean in, iykwim. I'm going to grab the school backpack currently and see what supplies are in it...

My seven year old son LOVES reading- he is a voracious reader and will read anything he can get his hands on. His favorites have been Harry Potter (he is just finishing book two, and we will stop him after that for now as the books get darker in nature), The Chronicles of Narnia, and he also loves more twaddley books like Dog Man and Captain Underpants. He is learning cursive (so far, he hates it), is on 3a of Singapore Math. He does NOT love Math, but he is very good at it. He loves science, nature and the outdoors. As for cartoons, his favorites are Teen Titans and Gumball. He also loves Minecraft (though were severely limit his access to any electronics) and LEGO. He spends a lot of time riding his bike and hanging out with his dog. He also loves his PE class where he can hang out with all of his friends for a couple of hours.

I seem to recall feeling that way about BJU and dropping it and going over to Singapore Math as a result. I had started with Singapore Math and went back to it because I was tired of dragging feet.

I've seen a lot of references over the years to how SM (at least the U.S. edition) doesn't cover negative numbers, and that this can be a problem when moving into an American secondary sequence, because they assume you've seen negative numbers before. But I haven't seen much discussion about what people using SM *do* about it - how they go about adding in some negative number work. (My google-fu has failed me twice now on this subject, once a couple of years ago, and then again last night.) The only hint I found was that someone said that Lial Pre-Algebra had a good section on negative numbers, one that apparently doesn't require prior exposure. My oldest (7th) has gone through SM 5B (U.S. edition), and we just started AOPS Pre-algebra, which assumes you have some basic familiarity with negative numbers. At this point, I'm hoping to use either internet resources or what I already have on hand with my oldest (potentially useful things I own: Dragonbox Algebra, the first Hands-On Equations app, and Dolciani Pre-Algebra). That way we can just go ahead and get on with things (otherwise I'd be tempted to get a cheap used copy of Lial's, because it was the only mentioned resource in any thread that I saw last night). My plan, such as it is, is to hit Kahn Academy on negative numbers till she has the basic idea, and then move back into the Negation section of AOPS. Does that sound reasonable? Is there something better to do instead? In addition, since I have younger kids, and also because I'm very curious: what have other SM users done, or plan to do, about the lack of negative numbers in SM?

I just started teaching a small class of 6th and 7th graders (4 kids total.) The classroom I inherited is workbooks and worksheets only. The school hasn't supplied any sort of textbooks or teacher's manuals, though it's possible I could have them order a new curriculum for them. (but what? saxon? AOPS? should I just get them set up with Khan Academy? But limited # of computers is a problem here too. My kid is only in 4th grade, so I haven't researched math curricula this far yet. The kids are coming from Singapore Math, I think, but were never given the Singapore-style instruction and were only given the workbooks to complete.) The kids seem to be able to do the math and are maybe even a bit ahead, but struggling a bit conceptually. Most, if not all, of them 'dislike' math. I chalk that up to lacking number sense/conceptual base. They've already worked through most of their workbooks, but the previous sub for the class said that even though they can usually solve the problems they are given, they don't really understand why. I want to start them on placement tests, just so I can get an idea of what they understand and what they struggle with (recommendations?)

http://www.singaporemath.com/Dimensions_Math_s/219.htm Thoughts? Anyone planning to use this math (at the moment only a few levels available)? Sadly, I’m a sucker for new math curriculum! :)

We are switching from Singapore Math to BJU Math. I had wanted to finish the Singapore Math we were already working on before we started the BJU math. Honestly, I wish I had just started the year with BJU Math. I do not wish to leave the Singapore Math level we are working on undone. But likewise, I can see we need to skip the first few chapters of BJU Math 3. We are finishing up SM 2B. I just kind of have not liked Singapore Math much. I like it, it is okay. But I look at BJU and think I might like it even more. Plus, son complains a lot only about math and tells me how he hates math. For the most part, we can get through the day, but he makes sure to tell me even on the weekend that the best thing about the weekend is no math. I would rather he like math. He is fine with BJU English and does not complain at all. He does not really complain about any other subject. I feel like just looking at 3rd grade, I like the way BJU has done things so much better. Am I making a mistake?

I love Singapore Math and that is what we are using. I taught it previously in private school and I have used it with one of my older children. I have always had qualms about it, but I think I like it more than most. I think my 2nd in line choices would be BJU and CLE, neither of which I have used. I have used Horizon's (did not like) and MUS (it was fine, but we ditched the videos and I did not love the workbooks). I did use BJU briefly with one of my sons but that was my really fussy one. I liked it but he did not and we returned to Singapore Math. I ask him now what the issue was and he tells me he simply did not want to work, it was not the actual curriculum. So there is that. My 9 yr old is pretty good at math. He is not like the "fussy one" (I really do not call that older one that fussy one, but already called him that once in this post so did not know how to otherwise refer to him). My oldest hated Singapore Math. He is the one who landed on Horizon's math and did well and stuck with it through the series then moved on to Foerster's Algebra and such. 9 yr old keeps getting upset over math now. I suspect it is because Singapore Math stays on the same topic for almost an entire book and then moves on only after that. We recently had a break through where son was excited about himself because he realized he had suddenly gotten good at division after working at it for the last few months. We are on book 3A, most of the way through. I can see how CLE or maybe even BJU could be a better fit for him. CLE has more variety in each lesson. It does not jump all over the place, but it also reviews some math facts on each lesson and does not give just an entire lessons of just one type of problem. I can see how BJU would be a good fit too as it has two week long chapters and then moves on to another topic. I guess I just feel so guilty because I am big Singapore Math person and I already own the entire series. I saw the used book store had some CLE 3rd grade used so I could pick up a couple of those workbooks to try out (but feel guilty breaking up the set, however, the store is selling them as separates). What should I do? I feel so much guilt and angst over this! edited to add: He gets math fast. He does not struggle with concepts.

I haven't used CLE 'for the long haul' yet, but wanted to chime in on the conceptual teaching part... My kid who uses CLE hated Singapore math, didn't understand it, didn't get the conceptual teaching. But over the past two years with CLE I've seen her not only grow in her confidence with math, but I've also seen that she does understand concepts and make connections. Eventually. She is a parts to whole learner. She just wants to know how to do something, and then after weeks or months doing it she puts it all together and surprises me with observations on why things work or on the connections between things. Things Singapore math teaches first and the algorithm afterwards. She needs to practice doing it (the algorithm) and then she can understand the big picture. I've seen it repeatedly. I think that the concepts are there in CLE, it's just that they're taught in a parts to whole manner, whereas in Singapore math there taught in a whole to parts manner. I do have experience with more conceptual math, my other kids use beast academy or Singapore or right start. And my kids that use Singapore or beast academy would hate CLE, but that's cause they're whole to parts thinkers. My youngest I don't know about yet.

This will be my first time teaching algebra, but my plan for fall for my son who is finishing up beast 5 now is Singapore 6 using Singapore math live. https://www.singaporemathlive.com I showed him AOPS prealgebra and Singapore 6 (well actually he just knew what it was like from doing Singapore 1-3 when he was younger) and he picked Singapore.

I recently came across Trail Guide to Learning Paths of Exploration and am considering changing to it this year. I would love to know if anyone here has used it. All three of my children will use Singapore Math with LOF and Miquon as supplements. 6th grader would use the expansion kit to the base set which will be used by my 4th grader. I believe my 2nd grader could use the base kit's 3rd grade material with minimal adjustment thus saving the expense of purchase that expansion. 2nd grader will also use Phonics Pathways and her favorite. ETC. Last year was a great year but I became bogged down trying to do too much and sadly this hurt us most in history and science. We did not accomplish as much as I would have liked as we tended to overstay in one part too long before moving on. It was so difficult to not try to use it all with the program we were using, Wayfarers- Barefoot Meandering. Don't misunderstand, Wayfarers is a wonderful program that gives you multiple choices but for me it was hard to not choose too many and become "behind." Even though I have looked over POE, I am not getting the same vibe from it. It has the overall feel of Wayfarers but with less choices. This would be a plus for me. I really need to streamline our school and do as much as possible together. I would cut out LOF, or Miquon if my kids didn't love it so. We tried them as core programs but found using them as occasional supplements worked better for us and were not too time consuming this way. I know POE claims to be a complete program in everything but Math but is this entirely true long term? Have you found the need to supplement anything? I tend to over schedule and choose too many supplements so having something complete would be a plus. Is the writing and grammar enough alone? Grammar is something my kids covered well with ELTL and Easy Grammar but their writing skills are still lacking. Copy work improved their writing but only minimally. Long term I may see a difference but I worry if it doesn't work quickly they will be so far behind and have to play catch-up. Do I trust POE's writing/grammar to be enough or supplement especially for the 6th grader? I have looked at Write Shop but am unsure which level to put her in. Her minimal paragraph writing experience produced lackluster results. A friend is giving me Write Shop 1. Is this too advanced for a child that only writes good simple sentences? Should I start with a Junior program and work up from there? If so, which one? OR just let POE's writing be enough? Some have questioned whether the science is enough. Have you found this so? I am doubtful the program is worth it for us if I need to supplement science, grammar, and writing. I want to embrace "Less is More" this year. When I finally let go of the pressure of using so many math spines, it was freeing and made for better school experience. I insist they finish their Singapore levels but LOF and Miquon is only added when we have the time or just for a break as the kids enjoy it. Before it was more trudging through. I want science to be fun and less "work" but something that gets done. Science is also not my strong suit so I will need hand holding. Apologia seems like a good program but it seems so much to add to POE. Any advice is much appreciated.

You can add in the time. I've found the Fitbit will work out what was sleep and restless when I do that. I had my favorite breakfast: chilaquiles con huevo. But not mixed together. [a thing I forgot I was going to say, but will remember later] So, I have HP Instant Ink. I forgot to downgrade my subscription and currently have about 900 pages available to print. Anyone need a textbook or two? I'm currently printing out a bunch of Singapore math. Maybe I can find a bunch of Spanish and/or Chinese to print. and some more English stuff. I don't know. Oops. Forgot to submit this over an hour ago. And I still don't remember what that other thing was that I wanted to say.

My son will be a 5th grader soon and I'm wondering about math. We have always used Singapore. I'm finding he needs to go over things a little more than what Singapore does. He needs more review. He can get it, it just takes a while and lots of review. We are finishing 4A and on the last review in the textbook he really struggled mainly fractions and area and perimeter. I've considered switching to something different but I don't want to bounce around. I just feel that he needs more review. I guess I'm wondering what you would do? He does the textbook, workbook, and the metal math in the back of the instructors guide. I considered getting the extra practice books but I'm not sure. He has always been the type that needs to go over things a little more to get it. I'm just afraid to bounce around too much, afraid I'll mess him up! Thank you for your time!

You need to know how to teach the "Singapore way." This is provided in the Home Instructor's Guides. You can also get this from reading Elementary Mathematics for Teachers. If you want the benefit of a Singapore math education for your children, it won't work to teach them the math the way you learned it (unless you learned with a Singapore-style program) and then have them do the Singapore problems. The textbook and workbook go together. The problems in the textbook are to work on during instruction, and the workbook is for independent practice. Both are important. But if you absolutely must choose one or the other, choose the textbook. There are usually more problems, and they will include more difficult ones. (Another thing that I liked about the HIGs was that they had the mental math problems in them so I didn't have to go to an outside source.)

A few weeks ago someone posted a link to a website that does Singapore Math but in an online fashion. Anyone have this? I thought I bookmarked it and cannot find it. The original poster was asking about if the online program would be enough.

My favourite for that age is Montessori math. It would not be “open and go” though, there is some learning involved in how to use the material. The material can also be pricey (but then again, so is buying dozens of different math curricula and manipulatives that aren’t a good fit... don’t ask me how I know) We’ve tried Singapore Math, Math in Focus, CLE math, RedBird by Stanford U math online, Life of Fred, Miquon Math, Math Mammoth, Critical Thinking Math, DK math workbooks... The “perfect” math sequence that works the best for us is Montessori math in the early years, transitioning to Saxon Math somewhere between grade 2-4. My daughter is in grade 4 and she is thriving with Montessori math. My son is in grade 7 and we had been doing CLE math for a few years before switching to Saxon. CLE is great also and very similar to Saxon but I like the way Saxon is organized better. Also CLE is a bit too advanced for the grade level, I think it has something to do with the fact they are written by a Mennonite community and they try to squish in math in less years to finish earlier. My son went from CLE early grade 5 straight to Saxon about halfway through grade 7 level, so CLE is about 2 years ahead. Singapore Math was not a good fit for my kid but lots of Gifted kids seem to like that approach. While my son can do math that way, he prefers not to. The sequential method of Saxon is far better, and will take him straight through HS to college. I also appreciate that it’s written to the student so he can do it on his own without my help. Saxon has a proven track record and I feel confident it will prepare my son for the STEM fields he is interested in pursuing in college.

For my oldest DD: Math: Not sure yet. This year we are doing Singapore Primary Standards 5A & 5B along with Beast Academy 4 and 5. I have not decided if I should continue with Singapore 6 or do their Dimensions program or maybe switch to a Pre-Algebra program such as AOPS or Jousting Armadillos. To answer the pp, I have found that (for my DD) Singapore 5 has been more review than I expected rather than new material so I am concerned about a similar experience with Singapore 6. We love Singapore Math though so that's why I may look at Singapore Dimensions. The issue with the Dimensions program, for me, is I am not sure what level of math follows Dimensions 8 (Algebra II, Geometry??) Language Arts: Handwriting-- Zaner Bloser Handwriting (Cursive) 7/8 Vocabulary--Vocabulary from Classical Roots 6 & Maybe Vocabulit or Sadlier Spelling: Continuing with Megawords (Books 3 & 4). Spelling is a weakness and a frustration for her unfortunately. Grammar: Well Ordered Language 3A & B, and Parts of Analytical Grammar. My DD loves diagramming sentences so definitely we will continue with that. Composition: IEW SWI B, IEW Theme Books (probably Ancient History), Start Writing with Skill Level 1, Kilgallon sentence composing books (a big hit with my DD!) Literature: Novels with Discussion/Novel Guides/Teaching with the Classics, Short Stories from Lovin Lit on Teacherspayteachers, Poetry Study, Possibly Essentials in Literature 7 Science: Chemistry & Physics but I'm not sure how this will happen yet. Maybe Mr. Q. I already have Masterbooks units on Matter, Chemistry, etc. and Nancy Larson Science Units. There will be experiments and hands-on. We have Snap Circuits and she loves those. History: Ancients with a variety of sources. She is very excited to start studying Ancient History! Geography: Maybe Memoria Press Geography II, not sure yet. Foreign Language: She has been begging me to start French so she may take French for Middle School (French I) at our homeschool co-op Fine Arts: Continue with Ballet and Tap, add Contemporary dance, continue with audition choir, Continue with piano lessons, Studio and History of Art class at homeschool co-op Physical Education: Dance, swimming, horseback riding

Okay, here's where we are. DS is in Singapore Math 5 and doing fine. He did Beast Academy 3 and 4 (not independently) and liked the series. However, he needs more work on the basics than BA was providing even with some extra practice with me, and his ITBS calculation scores went down. We will continue homeschooling at least through 8th grade. For high school, we might continue homeschooling, send him to either our zoned PS or a charter school (which both use integrated math I, II, III and then calculus or whatever from there). The charter is smaller, with narrower range of students, and I'm not sure how they do with college admissions; our zoned school is large, typical, and has a big range of students and abilities. or send him to a high-expectations private school. (There are two we'd consider. Both send 97% to college. One does the integrated math pathway with a range of ability-level options and the other more like a traditional sequence with lots of flexibility.) Continuing to homeschool is what he says right now he would prefer. Note that only homeschool and the zoned PS will definitely admit him. He is a mostly a social science guy but likes the sciences as well. He's not a language person, but enjoys word problems. If we were 100% sure of homeschooling all the way through, I'd probably buy AOPS stuff to try out for middle school and go at whatever pace works. But is there something made by SM to consider as well? Or somebody else? Please suggest 6th-8th grade math that is attractive to look at, likely to get him finished with the equivalent of at least Math I and Algebra 1, and a good mix of conceptual and skills practice? I'm fairly mathy and don't need a lot of support to teach, so open to whatever will be good for DS. Thanks!

Im looking into this for my 5th soon to be 6th grader next year. We have used SIngapore math for the longest period of time and stopped at level 4. My oldest now uses i-Ready as a main curriculum and we add in other math as need be. i-Ready is an online software that had videos and quizes, it will adjust to where she needs help, but I was told by our charter school that it is NOT a main curriculum and mainly used as a supplement. That being said, its the one that gets done daily and without complaints, so thats a win win for us. We tried TT and she hated it, and I dont really like i-Ready myself so looking into something that will work for both of us. My thoughts are to switch to ST math for next year and see if she likes it. From the website is states that it is a full curriculum, so I wanted to see if anyone else uses it as such? The only reason Id like to switch is to have her main curriculum be online, and then we can supplement as we do now. We also have Developmental mathematics, which is all worksheet based, but that I was going to use for morning/clipboard work, just a page a day as review. She says the reason she likes i-Ready (CC aligned), is because they SHOW her the math, shes dyslexic and loves anything visual. She also likes Beast Academy and LOF. But both of thoses I need to sit with her and read them for her to be able to use them, so Im looking for something that she can use on her own for the main portion.

Hi Everyone, I am hoping that I could talk out something with you all and get some advice. Sort of a "what would you do if you were me" post. (Sorry if I ramble a bit in this post.) My children (ages 9 and 10) have both been using Singapore math standards for a number of years. They are not "gifted" math students, but they catch on to math concepts quickly and have a high conceptual understanding. They both also say that Math and Science are their favorite subjects. Both of these kids are also dyslexic. Because of that, I feel like I spend 80% of my day helping them with their weakest language-based subjects (phonics, spelling, oral reading practice, comprehension, composition, etc. etc.) and very little time devoted to math. They understand math very easily but need lots and lots of help with language so that is what I end up focusing my instruction on. I often wonder if this is the right choice. On one hand, they are both reading at grade level and doing fairly decent in their language based subjects (for kids with dyslexia) because of all of this time....but on the other hand perhaps devoting more time to subjects they love and come easily would be good for their self-esteem and allow them to explore their potential in those areas. Last year we completed Singapore 4A and 4B. For the first time, I felt the need to supplement extra review in many of the concepts. They were forgetting important concepts like how to multiply fractions vs. adding fractions, how to multiply decimals, or find the area of a given shape, etc. SO--for this year, I was considering adding in some extra practice with Singapore math. I was just going to get the extra practice workbook for Singapore and maybe a logic book---but then I started toying with the idea of doing Beast Academy a year behind as a form of review. We used Beast Academy at grade level for awhile and my son loved it. However, he needed a lot of my help. It wasn't like Singapore where I could teach a short lesson, assign some problems, and then check and correct. For that reason, I was thinking of doing Beast Academy a year behind. It might still be challenging for them, but they have also seen most of those concepts before. (My hope is that they could complete many of the BA workbook problems independently with only minimal help on the really challenging problems. I have a 4-year-old who can only count to 3...hahaha...so I need to be able to multitask so I can give all children attention. Plus, my older kids are NOT independent in their content or language based subjects. They are all very teacher intensive too because of dyslexia.) I am hesitating pressing the "purchase button" on Beast Academy because I am wondering if I am biting off more than I can chew with math. On one hand, I think BA does a GREAT job of making the challenge of math fun. I also know my kids would really enjoy it. On the other hand, perhaps it would be better to just stick with ONE math program. Maybe I am crazy trying to do TWO complete programs in a single year? And maybe the danger is that we wouldn't complete our core math program (Singapore) because we were messing around with too much supplementation. (FYI I also don't feel comfortable doing *just* Beast Academy because it doesn't provide enough practice on its own for my particular children. I would only use it as a fun review supplement.) To sum things up my questions are: 1) Is it possible to use BOTH Singapore 5A/5B and Beast Academy 4a/4b/4c/4d and still finish math in an hour per day? (Assuming I also have them go back and fix any problems they missed within that hour. That is our habit.) 2) Assuming we used both programs and spent an hour per school day, would we be able to finish up in a regular school year? How would I assign that for the kids? Assign them two workbook exercises per day? Set a timer? With Singapore, I have always taught them lessons from the HIG/textbook. They are not the types of kids who can read a textbook and self-teach. (I have heard lore of kids who do this with Singapore. Those are not my kids!) 3) If you use both programs, how do you schedule your year? Instead of using both programs on both days, I am thinking of completing an entire unit of Singapore (plus the unit end review), then completing an entire unit of Beast. (Alternating between the two.) 4) How do you teach a typical beast Academy lesson? I would probably have to read the guide book with my kids so I could make sure they understood. 5) If I used Beast Academy (4th grade) and Singapore (5th grade), do you think I could get away with NOT using an introductory Logic book. (I was going to use a "Blast off with logic" workbook this year, but I am thinking that BeastAcademyy teaches enough logical thinking. Do you agree?)

Sorry if there is a thread on this. I tried searching and nothing came up. I am trying to order a Singapore Math book for ds6. I'm on the website and I'm very confused over which version. The Scope and Sequence didn't help- just made it more confusing. I just want to give him a placement test and buy one book and text to see how it works. I've been using K Essentials with his little sister, but I'm clueless on the upper levels. Do I just get the Primary Math U.S. 3rd Edition, and not the CC or other version? Also, I want the Home Instructor's Guide, correct, not the Teacher's guide? I'm trying not to spend a lot. MM is on sale through HSBCO this month, and I want to do a trial and see which is the better fit for him because everyone keeps suggesting Singapore. But this is a great time to buy MM if we stick with that. I placed him too low and have been stalling until the March sale to buy something new. What I've seen on the K Essentials, he'd still like MM better, but I think the grade school versions are different, right? ETA: Also do I need the Textbook, the workbook, and the IG, or can I get buy with less? I Fwiw, I've taken Kate Snow's Teaching Elementary Mathematics course and have the Elementary Mathematics for Teachers books she recommended.

There is an online Singapore math teacher training class offered through many colleges. It is relatively inexpensive , and it would be fairly easy to use the methodologies with another method without having to necessarily throw away the wheel and start over. Singapore is more visual, but the biggest part of the lesson happens off the book, which isn’t necessarily apparent on the page.

I'm about to have my 5th child go through the test process and as with all the others we're running into trouble with math. I have no clue at this point what to do. We use Singapore Math w/Horizons for daily review in elementary. Kids do great with that. Then we move to Saxon, Lial's or Chalk Dust (depending on the kid) all of which work fine. Then come the tests...not so fine. I've used Chalk Dust's SAT math practice which my kids have very much enjoyed...but no change on the test scores. Looking at the problems my dd misses on the practice tests it really is a matter of common sense. She has the "facts" down but the application and not getting confused is the problem. Today as we worked through more practice test math sections I see that she cannot see the "puzzle" as she is focused too much on what I will call "strict math". In other words, when faced with a problem she makes it way more complicated that it has to be and doesn't see how to find a simple(ish) process or answer for problems that really aren't all that difficult. We use the practice books and she has gone through all of the math sections, we've used Khan for SAT math practice...I am at a loss. My kids have all hit home runs for the Reading/Writing sections but Math...GAH!!! I would love to find a math program for 7th+ that utilizes word problems such as are on the PSAT/SAT. The programs we use have plenty of word problems yet I don't feel that they are on the same plane as what we are needing/looking for. Chalk Dust, for example, has word problems that are very life-application yet not so much "Can you sift through what doesn't need to be here or can you figure out what is not being asked in order to find the answer?" Am I making any sense at all? Advice? Admonishment? Encouragement? I can't exactly switch math programs with current dd but I have 8 more kids coming through the ranks and would love to figure this out for their sake. Or maybe there isn't anything to figure out and this is just how my kids do with math on standardized tests.

My son was this way. He told me once that teaching was cheating. He would NOT let me teach him math. He had to puzzle it out himself, and there were days when it was so hard that he would cry in frustration. But he still wouldn't let me help. But he was so driven, and loved math so much that I decided to stay out of the way. Only later did I find out that he thought using a textbook explanation was also cheating. So I'm not quite sure how he learned fractions or any primary school math, I guess trial and error and the answers in the back of the book. He used the Intensive Practice books in Singapore Maths because he had to do math in word problem format as he would NOT EVER drill. EVER. With a child who is dreading math, the first thing I would do is stop Singapore Math for a bit, find a different program to use that would be suitable for self teaching, and let her self teach. What about Dragonbox for an algebra introduction, or people talk about some hands on geometry program (Patty paper geometry?). Something that is designed to be learned intuitively. Get the love back. And then slowly reintroduce her to Singapore math, and see if she can self-teach. When my son was self-teaching, one of the requirements I had was if there were tears, you had to stop for 5 minutes. And if you were really frustrated (and I could tell), you had to let me teach you *very briefly* about the topic. At one point I hid his math books until he would agree to my terms. Mental health is just as important as physical health. And crying over math is not OK from my point of view. Good Luck! Ruth in NZ

Just throwing it out there that Singapore's DImensions math series is visually pretty appealing. 6 to 8 cover pre-algebra through algebra. So you could do a placement and she where she lands. Singapore Math Live is adding DM 7 & 8 to their offerings so there are lectures and solution recordings. https://www.singaporemath.com/Dimensions_Math_s/339.htm https://www.singaporemathlive.com/dimensions-math.html