Pamela H in Texas Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 (edited) Okay, so over the years, I've been clear that I think it is beneficial and best to use multiple math programs per level. I did it with my first kids and will do it with my littles also. But then when I think about what I *want* to use and think would be beneficial, I end up with too many programs, I think. SOOOOO, I wonder how many most people are using. Note: For this poll, let's say that a program count if 1) you think it should, and/or 2) you use most of a year's worth...so for many people, would count what you use as a "supplement." THANKS!!! ETA:: Made a mistake....can't fix poll :( Please pick a number. Edited March 10, 2012 by 2J5M9K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpskowski Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I picked two. I use Singapore as main program and supplement with MM, mostly as drill/review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotAVampireLvr Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I voted 2. We are now using both Singapore and MEP fulltime. I still supplement with other things as we need, but those two are full time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 We usually use *one* math program and several supplements. I don't see a need in buying several programs for each level. It can be overwhelming to the younger years. They get games, materials, manipulatives...and ONE steady program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Two, mostly concurrently. My oldest is doing Singapore and Horizons. My second is doing Right Start and Singapore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I voted three, because I consistently use materials from all three programs, but it definitely falls into the 1 main/2 supplement category: Math Mammoth is our program, for sure: that's the scope & sequence I follow, and that is where I pay full attention to ensure mastery. It is the core of our math. We also use Life of Fred, finishing up the elementary series and moving into Fractions, and this is a "makes math fun" supplement, as well as a strong preparation for algebraic thinking, and an interesting intro to how math connects to other subjects. We've been doing 2 chapters / day, 8/week, of the elementary series, but she will probably slow down to 1/day with Fractions. TT is used for independent days - usually 1x per week - and to provide practice. While I really dislike spiral curricula for initial teaching, as practice it is great - a few problems of each kind of thing previously studied reminds & reinforces without overwhelming w/ drill & kill. We don't use all the lessons, if she has something down cold I don't see any reason to have her sit through another teaching session on it, but for newish concepts, I think it never hurts to see something explained a different way. Anyway, this system is working really well for us, her math skills have grown enormously in the past 4 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I voted 2 since my supplement will be used fully. Singapore is our main program. LoF is a fun supplement. That said, I don't think Singapore needs anything added to it for my son. I'm just trying to slow him down a tad so we aren't doing algebra in 3rd grade. ;) My goal is to push it out to 5th grade, if I can. That means throwing some different things at him to stretch him beyond the normal scope of elementary math. If he were doing one grade level per year, I'd just do Singapore and call it good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I picked 3-some form of review (usually MEP, but possibly BA next year depending on how expensive it is) done a grade or so below the main program, Singapore, and LoF. Plus supplements/enrichment. Having said that, the only curriculum where DD does every single problem is LOF, and that's simply because the problem sets are so short. She usually does the textbook and harder/more interesting problems in the IP, and the same for MEP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I voted 1. We only add in short books not whole addl programs...so we do Singapore stds but add in logic, problem solving, challenge math type things as we go. Presently that is Problemoids and PGCM as well as an old book of tricky math puzzles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyrjoy Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I use a main, with one or two as supplements, as well as iPad apps. I voted four. Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Sylvia is using one program and Rebecca is using two, well three if you count HOE. I'm not sure that TT is necessary though, and I'll probably drop it after she finishes 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeefreak Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I voted 2, and I would have put "in succession," because that's what we did. If I could have a DO OVER with my oldest, I would have done at least 2 together. I've been meditating on this, and I think it's because Math is not my thing, and I'm not comfortable teaching it outside the box. English and LA are my forte, I own COUNTLESS LA programs, and use 3-4 a year with my kiddos. I can slice and dice, cut and paste, and rework English programs till the cows come home. I didn't want to do that with math, and I think my daughter suffered because of it. We would work on one curriculum, hit a wall, abandon it and buy another. It would work out eventually, but I wish I had done something like MUS alongside Horizons or BJU. We did Saxon last year, switched to MUS this year, and were going to switch back to Saxon this semester, but now I realize the benefit of using both programs in tandem. My dd learns the MUS way, but we feel Saxon is a more complete curriculum, and necessary for High School. So, as of next week, we'll be doing Saxon and MUS the whole way through High School. Blessings! Dorinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennynd Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 2. Older DS is now doing Key to Algbra and NEM. later will be NEM and AoPS When he did SM, we add my own homemade sheet DD does Miquon only. we will add something else when she get a little older. Thinking adding beast academy later with SM for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloggermom Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 We are using 2 programs. CLE Math + Teaching Textbooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 AoPS. No additional program needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honey Bee Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Rightstart and Singapore in some combination for each child. Just ordered first two LOF elementary books, so next week we might have 3. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmarango Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I use a boatload. I started with Singapore and then switched to RS as a spine. We still use the CWP and IP from Singapore. I then found CSMP and we are alternating days between RS and CSMP. Except when we are out of town for a while....then we alternate MM and CSMP since RS is not very portable. On Fridays we do two any two pages that my dd wants from Miquon. And we have also been reading one chapter a night of LOF. I chose 4, but I really didn't know which number to choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 We are using 2 programs. CLE Math + Teaching Textbooks. Are you using TT on-level? I had to have Becca skip 2/3 of TT 3 after completing CLE 200 and I just skipped 20 more lessons in TT 4 because she was still just reviewing old material (we went from lesson 40-something to lesson 68). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mert Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I clicked 3, but I guess officially I pull from 4 different curricula... Singapore is our spine. We dabble in Miquon pages and RS games, and we're reading LoF apples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted March 11, 2012 Author Share Posted March 11, 2012 TOTALLY surprised how many people only use one. I almost didn't even put that as an option! Of course, one is just not an option for us. My first kids were much more mathy kids than my new ones seem to be. And doing multiple programs didn't slow us down in the least....well, maybe in the least, I guess. But my daughter still went much further than most kids even though she graduated early. I think about how much I used for reading with Goo, many of which was considered full programs, we used daily, but I considered "supplemental." And then we did two main math programs but had supplements there also. But with all that, science, history, fine arts, Latin, handwriting, logic, etc, we still did a nice laid back day, though possibly longer than most people do with 1st graders. Of course, he was one of those kids who needed more structure (just like my new kids). I already use more than some people would and my kids are really young AND go to school all day! So obviously it doesn't over run our home. And yet, I'm thinking I don't *really* need five programs and one more as a supplement. I might have to give something up. I don't wanna :( BTW, dd's opinion after me putting her through this: She thinks I need to decide. Maybe not on just one; but she thinks six is pushing it even for me. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Yeah, 6 seems like overkill. :lol: I put two. We have senerally alternated between Singapore and Miquon. I stopped both this past fall, and switched to just MM. Both of my kids requested a return to Singapore AND Miquon, which they call "fun math". :001_smile: That is what we are doing now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 One. Only one. One should be enough. If it isn't, then I'm looking for something else that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 It never occurred to me to use more than one! :001_huh: I just *assumed* that a purchased math curric. is complete and whole and doesn't require supplementation.... :confused: (FWIW, we have CLE1 Math on the way next year. I wouldn't know what to add to it even if I could...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotsofpumpkins Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 One. Only one. One should be enough. If it isn't, then I'm looking for something else that is. :iagree: (After trying to do R&S and Singapore together, I discovered CLE and thought it was a great mix of what I liked about the other programs. We've been using CLE for more than 2 years now and the dc are thriving. Once in a while they do some CWP, but not often enough to count as a second program.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaKinVA Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Elementary... it's looking like 2-3. Math Mammoth, Life of Fred?, Beast Academy Pre-Algebra...Life of Fred and AoPS...probably alongside TT Algebra 1 Algebra 1... Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1, followed by Foersters &/or AoPS Geometry...hoping we can get by with *just* AoPS ;) Algebra 2...I don't know yet. It depends how things go with Geometry and the other AoPS math courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 SM and LoF are working great here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy Jen Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 We use 1 and supplement with Life of Fred. I guess it could be considered 2 but I feel Life of Fred is a supplement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommy5 Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I was doing one last year (just Singapore) and decided to start supplementing. We are now using CLE and will add in Singapore and some blue series MM from time to time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkateLeft Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 One. I don't like juggling multiple programs for anything. Occasionally I'll add some worksheets or games here or there, but the focus is always on one. :iagree: I've got plenty on my plate doing one math program for each child. I have no need or desire to supplement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoika Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 We use Right Start as the "spine" and then the girls get to choose their own Miquon work. We work through Life of Fred books as read-alouds when we have a break in regular schooling. So we'll be doing LoF next week for spring break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 TT is used for independent days - usually 1x per week - and to provide practice. While I really dislike spiral curricula for initial teaching, as practice it is great - a few problems of each kind of thing previously studied reminds & reinforces without overwhelming w/ drill & kill. We don't use all the lessons, if she has something down cold I don't see any reason to have her sit through another teaching session on it, but for newish concepts, I think it never hurts to see something explained a different way. Anyway, this system is working really well for us, her math skills have grown enormously in the past 4 months. Sorry for the hijack...but can you tell me a little bit more about how you do this? Do you work through TT in order or do you just pick a lesson each week that corresponds to dd's MM lesson? Do you have her do the full TT lesson? I recently switched dd from MM to TT. They're total opposites on the spiral/mastery continuum, and I need to find a happy medium somehow. She's also using LOF Fractions, which she adores. Sometimes I think I need to switch her full-time to LOF, but I can't just throw out a $$ program like TT, especially when it did such a good job of getting her over her fear of long division. But she's starting to dread the long problem sets of mostly review work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomandlorih Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Voted 2 (MUS and TT) but I'm considering adding a third from CTCo. =D We also do http://www.xtramath.org as a supplement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I voted two but it's actually three. I wasn't thinking (which happens far too often; :D). We alternate between MM and TT and use Evan-Moor's Daily Math every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 5+ sigh! I've always used a lot. Sometimes because I couldn't afford what I needed. Other times because...I'm just...ridiculous. Sometimes because I am custom creating a masterpiece :-) Right now I am self-educating math. My seizures have truly mucked up my ability to divide. The damage is greater than just some memory loss. Something wider than that is damaged. So...I started playing around in elementary math and got...fascinated with vintage and Waldorf math. And despite my own current math problems, I often get cornered into tutoring high school level maths, which...sometimes I can do :-0 Go figure :-0 The math books are really starting to pile up around here. And they are ALL getting used. But then, the 10+ dictionaries are all getting used too :-0 Really, just how many dictionaries does anyone need? I just bought a new-to-me 3 volume set this week and carried it all the way home on the train--along with my groceries--just about squealing in delight at my $3.00 bargain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Lava Mama Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Choose one good one, and stick with it! We have used Abeka for K-5th, and Chalkdust for 6th and up through high school. All my school aged kids have high 90's for math scores. Simplify! Then just work on the weak areas! Hot lava mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In2why Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 We use Teaching Textbooks and Miqoun. Next year it will be Teaching Textbooks and Life of Fred. But I probably should have said 3 because we do Timez attack every single day to cement those multiplication tables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I would use only a single math curriculum if the perfect one existed. I have yet to find that, so I use two that complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NittanyJen Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Two, mostly because I don't want them locked into just one way of looking at the world. DS11 uses Fred as his main program and AoPS as a light supplement for PreAlgebra DS8 is using Singapore as his main and Fred as a supplement, but talks daily about the day when Fred gets to take over LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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