Convince me that ONE math curriculum is enough!

[mothergooseof4]

We have been using TT and MUS. I want to continue both because I see them both as useful. I like using more than one math program because I like having different approaches. If I could fit them in, I would probably do more math....... It is my accountant background coming out.

 

Each child typically does both each day unless we need to speed things up for the day. Lately it seems we have needed to speed things up pretty often. Either we have activities outside the house or we have had a heavy load in another subject and need to lighten up elsewhere.

 

I am struggling with the idea of giving up one of our math programs for good. And if so, which? I think they each serve a purpose.

[lotsofpumpkins]

I think you'll have a hard time finding a lot of people on this board who are willing to say that you only need one math program. :D That being said, I only use one math program (CLE), but I find myself using methods from Singapore to help teach the concepts to my 1st grader.

 

I have not used TT or MUS, but could you use just TT but let them watch the DVD's from MUS for fun? They could use the blocks from MUS in their TT lessons if they need them. (Is that possible???)

 

There's ways to have just one math program, and I prefer it that way, but my 1st grader is teaching me that I need to be willing to use different approaches with him. Not a full second program, just different teaching strategies.

[SunnyDays]

LOL... yes, you're probably on the wrong board for that!! ;) This board was where I learned it was perfectly okay to do multiple math curricula at once!! I still can't firmly decide between Singapore and CLE so we're doing both for now.

 

Truly, it would be fine. Think of all the homeschoolers that *do* use just one curriculum. But if you can swing it, I do think it's helpful to at least supplement from a different perspective... doesn't mean you have to do two full curricula.

[Pen]

We have been using TT and MUS. I want to continue both because I see them both as useful. I like using more than one math program because I like having different approaches. If I could fit them in, I would probably do more math....... It is my accountant background coming out.

 

Each child typically does both each day unless we need to speed things up for the day. Lately it seems we have needed to speed things up pretty often. Either we have activities outside the house or we have had a heavy load in another subject and need to lighten up elsewhere.

 

I am struggling with the idea of giving up one of our math programs for good. And if so, which? I think they each serve a purpose.

 

I think it is clear that only one would be sufficient. Children for decades usually had only one, and did manage to learn with that. I like having more than one to mix things up and so on.

 

(And while a lot of us use supplements to a main program, I don't think all that many people are having their children do 2 whole programs, so I think you are right that it makes sense to cut it back.)

 

My son enjoyed TT for the online samples, but it was not as good a program for his needs as MUS, for a variety of reasons--including that a mastery approach is better for him. I personally think MUS is better in terms of conceptual math foundations. And for us not being tied to computer is better, and less cartoon stuff (though they're fun) is better. But TT seems to need less parent involvement, and maybe be easier (?), and would be better for a child who needs a spiral approach. Whether it would be better for your children and you depends on many things, and I do not know them, or your life. Perhaps analyze your own statement that they each serve a purpose, and figure out which purpose your children most need served.

Edited March 17, 2012 by Pen

[ktgrok]

Well, I think you only need one. If you MUST use another to supplement, maybe do the main one as a spine 4 days a week, then review using the other one on fridays?

[ChandlerMom]

How much time a day are they spending on math?

 

What I'm hearing is that it's working well for math, but you want to change because of your outside activities and other subjects. Although I think you CAN cover math with one curric (not that I would ever try, :lol:), I would look at your reasons and see if they are justified and if there is some other way (like cutting back a little on each program). Ultimately, what actions best serve your hs goals?

[mamato3 all-boy boys]

I definitely think that one math program is enough for a child. Unless they are literally begging for more.

 

However, I do not think one math program is enough for a parent :001_smile:

[Susie in MS]

Only one here. Any more and I would loose my sanity. All I ever did with my older kids was just one at a time. I have since graduated an engineer. My son in law also used just one math and he too is an engineer.

[alisoncooks]

I'm using only one.

I don't have time for more (between my multiple writing, grammar and phonics curricula.)

 

:D

Just kiddin'.

 

But I still will only be using one math program.

[boscopup]

You definitely don't need more than one full curriculum. While many of us use multiple curricula, it's usually one spine and bits and pieces of others. I spend 45 minutes on math (4th grade level).

 

I like the idea of picking one (whichever one works best for your child) as your spine to do 4 days a week, then use the other on Fridays.

 

There are plenty of good math programs that need no supplementation. I chose Singapore for my son because I don't need to add anything to it. Anything else we do is to change things up now and then, add some extra challenge, or just because it's fun. Adding things also causes us to go a BIT slower through Singapore, so maybe we won't hit algebra at 9.

 

But taking bits and pieces from different curricula? I see nothing wrong with that. School teachers do it all the time. ;)

[lotsofpumpkins]

LOL... yes, you're probably on the wrong board for that!! ;) This board was where I learned it was perfectly okay to do multiple math curricula at once!! I still can't firmly decide between Singapore and CLE so we're doing both for now.

 

Truly, it would be fine. Think of all the homeschoolers that *do* use just one curriculum. But if you can swing it, I do think it's helpful to at least supplement from a different perspective... doesn't mean you have to do two full curricula.

 

How exactly are you using Singapore and CLE together? I was using R&S and Singapore (full programs for both) a couple of years ago, and ditched both of those in favor of CLE. It seemed to be a good combination of what I liked about R&S and Singapore. I'm very happy with CLE, but I am wondering if I need to throw more Singapore back in there. I have the dc do CWP once every couple of weeks (when we get to it), and I'm using some methods I learned from Singapore to help my 1st grader learn his math facts up to 20 (I'm teaching him how to calculate them in his head rather than relying on memorization, since memorizing them is going kind of slowly).

 

So, anyway, even though this thread is supposed to be about using 1 program, I am intrigued by the CLE/Singapore combo. Are you using both fully, or are you just supplementing?

[JadeOrchidSong]

I only use Singapore. I once tried to add in MEP for a couple months. That was too much.

I have three languages and two writing programs going, so I can't do multiple programs for everything. For me, Chinese and Latin are very important. One math with all the IPs and CWPs are enough to keep me spinning!:lol::lol:

[happy-hs]

I love using multiple math programs. I use one as a spine and then supplement with the others, though we do finish the books we use as supplements.

 

My older two use TT as a spine. I feel that TT, while it does a great job of presenting and reviewing material, doesn't really get kids to stretch, apply what they've learned, or think outside the box when it comes to math. I try to provide supplements that stretch them, present material in new ways, and really make them think.

 

If you feel that both programs serve a purpose, maybe you can keep them both and adjust your schedule and timeline for them. Pick one to use daily and the other to use a few times a week, or alternate days with the two. You could also pick days that you know are less busy and do both on those days.

 

Melissa :)

[alisoncooks]

So, anyway, even though this thread is supposed to be about using 1 program, I am intrigued by the CLE/Singapore combo. Are you using both fully, or are you just supplementing?

 

:bigear::bigear:

[Spetzi]

Well, I can't try to convince you to drop one, but you could make your lives easier by reducing the workload.

 

We often use 2 and do 80-90% of each along w/enrichment math. Some years we'll follow one to the letter and add others into the year. It's important to skip the stuff they don't need to practice, test ahead, etc. I think you can acheive mastery without doing 50 problems (that you already know how to do.)

 

See if you can pare one down or reduce both if you can't bring yourself to drop one entirely.

[Mandylubug]

We use one spine full curriculum and then we play math games and activities..I was lucky to have an Aunt that is a retired Math Specialist teacher and now have a closet full of manipulatives, games etc that we pull out. I think many that use more than one curriculum are using it for variety and allowing the child to think outside of the box.

[Lymeade Mom]

I use MUS as my spine and supplement with LoF. Lof is short especially before Algebra, so it's easy to do quickly and stretches where as MUS gives a VERY solid foundation. What do you find in TT that is not in MUS? I've not use TT, but it you share why you feel you need both maybe someone could help you figure out how to do more like 1 1/2 programs.

[SunnyDays]

How exactly are you using Singapore and CLE together? I was using R&S and Singapore (full programs for both) a couple of years ago, and ditched both of those in favor of CLE. It seemed to be a good combination of what I liked about R&S and Singapore. I'm very happy with CLE, but I am wondering if I need to throw more Singapore back in there. I have the dc do CWP once every couple of weeks (when we get to it), and I'm using some methods I learned from Singapore to help my 1st grader learn his math facts up to 20 (I'm teaching him how to calculate them in his head rather than relying on memorization, since memorizing them is going kind of slowly).

 

So, anyway, even though this thread is supposed to be about using 1 program, I am intrigued by the CLE/Singapore combo. Are you using both fully, or are you just supplementing?

 

 

Well.... that's a good question!! :lol: Unfortunately I'm still trying to figure it all out.

 

My DS is a math lover, so I'll start with that. He doesn't mind doing a little extra math. If I tried to piece together every bit of both curricula, I'm sure it'd be a bit much though.

 

Here's what happened: We got Singapore, and he hated it on sight. It was just so different from what he was used to. (This is our first year hsing.) So we set it aside, and I researched, and I ordered CLE... I know it's a good solid program, and that although the "conceptual" piece maybe isn't as strong as Singapore, it still does a good job of that plus fact drill. We started it. It's a bit more review/spiral than my son really prefers, but he *needs* some of that whether he likes it or not, LOL!! And honestly, as a standalone, it would work just fine for us.

 

So in the meantime, he started working with the Singapore IP book. We realized that part of the problem is we got a lower level than we needed to, but really got to like the format... so he was flying through it.

 

All that to say... for right now, anyway... we are working through CLE 400, skipping the flash cards, but doing the speed drills as a warm up. I will have him do one or two lessons per day. We're also going to keep working through Singapore 3A & 3B. With that, we're reading through the textbook, making sure he understands the concepts, skipping the workbook, and doing the IP. Later, we'll add in the CWP. Probably, we'll get to a point where we do 2 lessons of CLE 3 days per week, and a block of Singapore 2 days per week... but that's entire in the idea stage right now.

 

Clear as mud? :D I don't know if we'll keep doing this same thing. We're going to keep doing math over the summer, so we'll need more than a standard year's worth for now. Check back with me in a month or two and see if I still have my sanity, and I'll give you an update!! ;)

 

Hope that helped a little....

Edited March 18, 2012 by SunnyDays

[lotsofpumpkins]

Well.... that's a good question!! :lol: Unfortunately I'm still trying to figure it all out.

 

My DS is a math lover, so I'll start with that. He doesn't mind doing a little extra math. If I tried to piece together every bit of both curricula, I'm sure it'd be a bit much though.

 

Here's what happened: We got Singapore, and he hated it on sight. It was just so different from what he was used to. (This is our first year hsing.) So we set it aside, and I researched, and I ordered CLE... I know it's a good solid program, and that although the "conceptual" piece maybe isn't as strong as Singapore, it still does a good job of that plus fact drill. We started it. It's a bit more review/spiral than my son really prefers, but he *needs* some of that whether he likes it or not, LOL!! And honestly, as a standalone, it would work just fine for us.

 

So in the meantime, he started working with the Singapore IP book. We realized that part of the problem is we got a lower level than we needed to, but really got to like the format... so he was flying through it.

 

All that to say... for right now, anyway... we are working through CLE 400, skipping the flash cards, but doing the speed drills as a warm up. I will have him do one or two lessons per day. We're also going to keep working through Singapore 3A & 3B. With that, we're reading through the textbook, making sure he understands the concepts, skipping the workbook, and doing the IP. Later, we'll add in the CWP. Probably, we'll get to a point where we do 2 lessons of CLE 3 days per week, and a block of Singapore 2 days per week... but that's entire in the idea stage right now.

 

Clear as mud? :D I don't know if we'll keep doing this same thing. We're going to keep doing math over the summer, so we'll need more than a standard year's worth for now. Check back with me in a month or two and see if I still have my sanity, and I'll give you an update!! ;)

 

Hope that helped a little....

 

Cris-

Thanks for sharing! I hope you are able to get it all figured out! Here's an idea- use Singapore textbooks (without any of the workbooks, except maybe CWP) to teach the concepts as they are introduced in CLE? Then the Singapore methods can be used, but you'd still have the drill and spiral review of CLE. I'm considering something like this. CLE is a great program on its own; I'm just thinking lately that the dc could benefit from the methods that Singapore teaches, as well as the standard algorithms.

 

ETA: I've started looking at samples of Singapore textbooks, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much we've learned in CLE. So, I'm thinking that keeping CLE as our one and only math program is not such a bad thing. I will continue using manipulatives to help teach the lessons, and I do want to work on mental math a bit more (which is included in CWP, which we already do occasionally). But I really don't think I need to buy Singapore textbooks too.

Edited March 18, 2012 by lotsofpumpkins

[kristinannie]

You definitely don't need more than one full curriculum. While many of us use multiple curricula, it's usually one spine and bits and pieces of others.

 

But taking bits and pieces from different curricula? I see nothing wrong with that. School teachers do it all the time.

 

 

:iagree: I don't think you need two spines, but supplementing is fine!

[Ellie]

I've never been convinced that it's necessary to use more than one. Go ahead. Try. :D

 

I just want one thing, that I can open up to *this* page and have dc do it. I don't want flipping back and forth. I don't want to try to mesh two different methods. I don't want to explain why *this* one explains how to do something one way and *that* one explains it another but both are right. :confused:

[SunnyDays]

Pumpkins, we may end up in the same place... where we use CLE but supplement with the Singapore materials. All we've done so far is read through the SM text and do some oral exercises, to benefit from their mental math strategies and such, then DS works through the IP. So while it feels like we're doing both, we're doing one *more* than the other if that makes sense??

 

Oh, by the way, we do Life of Fred too. And he's reading through the Beast Academy Guidebooks, but we're not actually going to do that as a program. :D (Heck, I'll be happy when I find just ONE history program that I like as much as ANY of our math programs... but I digress.)

 

So, getting back on track, in response to the very original post... yes, you can certainly use one math program successfully. There will always be crazy people like me who just don't know how to do it. ;)

[boscopup]

I don't want to explain why *this* one explains how to do something one way and *that* one explains it another but both are right. :confused:

 

I don't think I've ever had to explain that? I'm trying to think of any instance where something was done so completely differently... The mental math in Singapore can be somewhat different, I guess, but my son was already naturally doing similar techniques, and you just show it as, "Here's one way to do it, and here's another way." The kid can choose whatever is easiest for them. Exploring different mental math techniques is fun for both of us. It's not confusing to him at all. And he understands the math so well that he can use any technique that seems appropriate, rather than rotely plugging in numbers without having any clue what's really going on (or having to pull out paper and pencil to add 23+68).

 

When I use "supplements" (like Primary Grades Challenge Math or Life of Fred), the math doesn't conflict. A question may be asked in a different way, but that's GOOD. You don't want your child only able to answer a question if it's asked one particular way (which can be a problem for some students only exposed to one program their whole schooling career).

 

When using a spine program and then another program as a supplement or alternating between two, usually one might explain something better than the other, but they're teaching similar things (the standard algorithm is the standard algorithm, for example... no matter how well or poorly you teach it - the math is the same). Most people don't line up multiple math programs that they're using. You don't have to. One will do the teaching, the other will serve as review. I'm about to start using Beast Academy with DS. Some of it will be review because it's a grade behind where he's working in Singapore. Some of it will be completely new, because the AoPS folks know how to make even the simplest math interesting. :D I won't worry about lining anything up with Singapore. What is review will be good review, and what is new will be fun teaching of a new thing that he may have never gotten from Singapore (pretty sure Singapore doesn't have "rep-tiles").

 

The math is usually the same... adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, fractions, etc. Sometimes a different presentation helps the student understand better. Sometimes multiple ways of doing mental math generates good discussion and maybe some problem solving. It's all good. Now if a student doesn't like math, I wouldn't torture them with 5 different ways to mentally add 23+68. Know your student. One math program is usually sufficient for learning the math. Some kids can really benefit from the discussion, the stretching, and the interest of using multiple programs.

 

I also use multiple books for history. They may all be about Ancient Egypt, but they tell different things or hit the topic from different angles. Using 2 or 3 books to learn about Ancient Egypt is often more fun than reading about the topic in one textbook. ;) And when we read about Ancient Egypt, I don't try to line up those books. We just read each book. My child is able to synthesize the information and make it fit together. I don't have to do that work.

[lorisuewho]

Cris-

Thanks for sharing! I hope you are able to get it all figured out! Here's an idea- use Singapore textbooks (without any of the workbooks, except maybe CWP) to teach the concepts as they are introduced in CLE? Then the Singapore methods can be used, but you'd still have the drill and spiral review of CLE. I'm considering something like this. CLE is a great program on its own; I'm just thinking lately that the dc could benefit from the methods that Singapore teaches, as well as the standard algorithms.

 

ETA: I've started looking at samples of Singapore textbooks, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much we've learned in CLE. So, I'm thinking that keeping CLE as our one and only math program is not such a bad thing. I will continue using manipulatives to help teach the lessons, and I do want to work on mental math a bit more (which is included in CWP, which we already do occasionally). But I really don't think I need to buy Singapore textbooks too.

 

Pumpkins, we may end up in the same place... where we use CLE but supplement with the Singapore materials. All we've done so far is read through the SM text and do some oral exercises, to benefit from their mental math strategies and such, then DS works through the IP. So while it feels like we're doing both, we're doing one *more* than the other if that makes sense??

 

Oh, by the way, we do Life of Fred too. And he's reading through the Beast Academy Guidebooks, but we're not actually going to do that as a program. :D (Heck, I'll be happy when I find just ONE history program that I like as much as ANY of our math programs... but I digress.)

 

So, getting back on track, in response to the very original post... yes, you can certainly use one math program successfully. There will always be crazy people like me who just don't know how to do it. ;)

 

I'm planning CLE/SM combo for next year. This year we do Rightstart/CLE. I plan to use SM HIG to teach concepts along with the textbook, to do some of the CWP and the IP, but to also do CLE every day as the spiral. This year it was very do-able; hopefully it will be next year also.

[mumto2]

I love having more than one math program going. We usually don't do them all each day. I have always had a mixture of types of programs, a spiral, topic based, word problem. By doing this I have always been able to switch a book out of the rotation if a child is having a difficult time with a new concept. I than locate the topic in the other book and work our way through it. This has always worked well. No frustration or I can't do this. The next time they see the difficult book they know the basic method and adapt without remembering they found it hard.