jcmi Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Dd (7th, 13) is finishing Singapore 6B this month. She used to be a struggling math student--we went through MUS and CLE before finding Singapore. She's a year behind because we went all the way back to Singapore 3B and worked from there. Singapore changed her from a child who hated math and struggled greatly to a girl who LOVES math and is excelling. However, I'm not sure where to go next year for 8th. My options: * Discovering Mathmatics seems to be the "natural" choice as a continuation of Singapore. I love the look of it and I know she would, too. However, I don't want to use this series through high school as it is "integrated math" rather than a standard sequence. I could use it for 8th, but I'm thinking it makes more sense to switch now to what we'll use through 12th. * MUS would be a good fit....however, it feels really light compared to Singapore....especially the word problems. Math is dd's favorite subject now and she enjoys Sinapore so much; I love how she's able to approach problem solving. She looked at MUS and said, "It looks SO easy!" I hate for her to take a step backwards, if that makes sense. Is MUS rigorous enough to use through 12th? * I have researched and ruled out TT, BJU, Saxon, and all of the programs like Jacobs, Foerster, etc. Part 2 of this question is, "How rigorous is enough? How hard does it have to be?" Dd is very artsy---loves to write, draw, paint, etc. At this point she wants to be an elementary school teacher. I don't see her pursuing anything math/science related. Would MUS do the trick with the least amount of stress? I also have a 5th grader with some language-related challenges, and MUS seems to be a great fit for him, too....but again, is it enough? The reviews seem to be split. Am I making too big a deal out of it? Thanks for any input! Jen mom to 4: dd 13, ds 13 (CP and Asperger's), ds 11, and dd 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Why do you not want integrated math? Do you plan to send her to school at some point? If it is working and she is enjoying math, I would stick with what works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmi Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 Well, if it was up to me and I didn't have to consider transcripts and college and the like, I'd stick with a Singapore-type program. But I've heard that integrated math isn't looked upon favorably on transcripts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Search the old threads for how people have listed integrated math on transcripts. I replied on the other thread too. :) If she does well with the program, her test scores will reflect that and schools do like good test scores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 If she completes the integrated math program, then you get to put what you want on her transcript. The colleges don't go and look at the books. If she gets through high school math and does well on her tests etc then that is enough. Just say she did algebra in 8th etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 (edited) :iagree:You may want to ask on the high school board about recording integrated math on a transcript. See, e.g., Saxon Advanced Math - how to state on a transcript - please help (pssst, also, if she's excelling at Singapore and loves it, another option to look at might be aops prealgebra) Part 2 of this question is, "How rigorous is enough? How hard does it have to be?" Dd is very artsy---loves to write, draw, paint, etc. At this point she wants to be an elementary school teacher. I don't see her pursuing anything math/science related. Would MUS do the trick with the least amount of stress? Personally, I'd keep as many doors open for her as possible, in case she later decides to pursue a math/science course of study. It's far too early to peg her as not needing much math, and there's no reason she can't be both artsy and mathy :). Indeed, her success with Singapore and enthusiasm for that "way of thinking" about math would indicate to me that she may be far more math-inclined than she may have seemed when she struggled with those other programs. (And, perish the thought that an elementary school teacher can't use a rigorous high school math education) Edited April 19, 2012 by wapiti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 A 13 y.o. is likely to change her mind several times before she picks a career (and these days many people change careers mid-stream). She may want to be an elementary school teacher now, but what if she decides later on that she really wants to become a pediatrician or a pediatric audiologist or some other career requiring lots of science coursework? I would start her in DM1 (which is mostly pre-algebra) and then see how that goes. If you wind up deciding to switch to a traditional sequence, she'll have a leg up on algebra 1 and geometry and can get through those books more quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmi Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 You guys are fantastic :001_smile:. I got great (and similar) responses on the high school board, too. I think I'll trust my instinct and stick with DM. Unfortunately, it's quite pricey with the workbooks and 2 teacher guides per level. Thoughts on the test bank? We didn't do tests throughout Singapore, but I want to from 8th-12th. It looks like DM only has tests quarterly unless you make your own from the test bank. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Kinetic Books pre-algebra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Unlike with the Primary Math series, the workbook for DM is optional. It is also very challenging, like the PM Intensive Practice books. I think you'd be totally fine skipping it, unless you're like me and looking to spread pre-algebra out over two years (presumably not since your DD is 13). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmi Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 You're right, we want to get through it in a year! Would there be enough practice without the workbook? I don't mind if she misses the most challenging problems, but I want to make sure that even without the workbook it would be well-rounded and thorough. Could I get by with just the text, teacher guide, and test bank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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