PentecostalMom Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 (edited) I need advice concerning math, let me explain. My husband and I have discussed intently math choices for our dc. To summarize our lengthy conversations and to spare you from the sordid details, we have decided to go with Saxon. That being said, we are also interested in integrating some of the "out of the box" thinking represented in such programs as Singapore. If we wanted to add this in but not overwhelm the dc or ourselves, what would you use and how would you do that? Keep in mind I do not know a lot about these programs, but some we have considered are MEP, Singapore IP and CWP, and Math Mammoth. We want something that can be used a couple of days a week but that will expand their math horizons. We are completely open. If you think an online program or other sorts of activites would be better for what we want, please feel free. I am definitely not stuck on MM, MEP or Singapore. Things to consider: MEP is free and I already own Math Mammoth addition, subtraction, clock, and place value 1 & 2. I used Abeka with the older dc and while they did well in college, I want something a little more, kwim? Advice and suggestions welcome! Michelle <>< Edited October 26, 2012 by PentecostalMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Well I'll give you one that didbt work so well for us. The CWP books we tried didn't work out too well. There were large sections using the Singapore method of drawing bar graphs. It proved to be a huge exercise in frustration, and I'm not sure what the point is, because they would make much more sense being solved with Algebra. The bar graphs in the 2nd or 3rd grade CWP were so easy they could be solved with regular math and common sense. But the ones in 4th and 5th were so time consuming and difficult and could be solved easily using Algebra. The other sections of the book weren't really too challenging so they were fun, but then I'm not sure what the point is. We are doing some of them anyway. I also tried the Critical Thinking Press Math books and they weren't really what I was looking for either because they are a whole curriculum in and of themselves. So...right now we are using Khan Academy videos to supplement new concepts or whenever we want to do a more "relaxed" math day. These are working out beautifully. And they are free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Oh, I just saw the age of your dc, and I have a good idea for you: Miquon. Miquon is really interesting and fun. It is a full program, though, so it will require time every day, which I am not sure is what you want. But it's something to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 We use Saxon here. We also use http://www.xtramath.org (instead of timed drills that mom has to mark) http://www.multiplication.com http://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html (you can change the "workout" type to addition, subtract, etc) I find my kids are doing about an hour a day, just with Saxon, so I feel that is enough at this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Way of My People Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 We supplement Saxon with Miquon about one day a week. I don't teach Miquon; I just let DS(5) choose 2-3 pages he wants to try to figure out. He muddles around with it for a while and then asks me to look at his work. We talk a little about which answers are right and wrong, and ways he could approach the problems he didn't understand/try to answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wearejenandkev Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 How about the book "Building Thinking Skills" by Critical Thinking Books? It is a workbook with supplemental critical thinking exercises. We love Saxon! I supplement with Xtramath.org (as mentioned above) and I sub out the meeting for the daily warm up sheets at this site: http://www.ibeleave.com/store/. I have good intentions to supplement with the Building Thinking Skills book as well. But, we haven't gotten to it yet! :( Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PentecostalMom Posted October 27, 2012 Author Share Posted October 27, 2012 How about the book "Building Thinking Skills" by Critical Thinking Books? It is a workbook with supplemental critical thinking exercises. We love Saxon! I supplement with Xtramath.org (as mentioned above) and I sub out the meeting for the daily warm up sheets at this site: http://www.ibeleave.com/store/. I have good intentions to supplement with the Building Thinking Skills book as well. But, we haven't gotten to it yet! :( Jennifer I was actually thinking of ordering one of the Critical Thinking Press CD's, because we are planning to get our dc a laptop for Christmas. I was finding the meeting book a bit tedious as well, thanks for the other link, those are definitely an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 I like Building Thinking Skills. I also love love love Miquon. I actually don't think it's a full program. I supplemented it pretty heavily with my oldest. What I mean is---it certainly wouldn't take all year to get through about 2 of the workbooks. There's 6 slim workbooks for 1st-3rd. So yeah it could totally be used as a supplement with Saxon. You'd want Annotations just to get an idea of what is expected with the page and for the extra activities, just to pick and choose form. FamilyMath is a fun book for math activities. MEP is free, but I wonder if supplementing with that on top of a full Saxon would be a bit much? We do Saxon 5/4 now. But if I had used Saxon in the lower grades I would have added c-rods. Those little things are amazing. Pinterest has a ton of fun math activities. With Saxon I may not emphasize rote memorization, as much as repeated use of the manipulatives to internalize math concepts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 With Punk I supplement Saxon with concepts from education unboxed and Beast Academy. With Sister and Bug I supplement with education unboxed and Miquon. ETA and math games, lots and lots of math based games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Kitchen Table Math (Chris Wright) Primary Grade Challenge Math (Zaccaro) http://bedtimemathproblem.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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