Are we doomed if ds doesn't start Discoverying Mathematics until 9th grade?

[Jennifer WI]

Ds is 12 right now and behind where we should be in math. He's doing Primary mathematics now, going to start 5A very soon, and is also half way through LOF Decimals. If I take his 7th and 8th grade years (we change grades in January, so he'll be starting 5A at the beginning of his 7th grade year) to do Singapore 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, and the LOF books Decimals, Physics, and the two pre-Algebra books, would he be ok to start DM freshman year? Does that make him "behind?" I've read about most doing the first in DM by 7th grade.

 

Are we doomed? =P

 

I can just hear the dodo birds from the first Ice Age movie chanting, "Doom on YOU! Doom on You!"

 

Thanks!

 

P.S. I'll probably have him continue with LOF Algebra if it works for him, but I don't know if there would be enough practice by itself. He is not a mathy kid.

[mom31257]

Is Discovering Mathematics an Algebra 1 course? If so, I don't think you are doomed. Dd did Algebra 1 in 9th and is doing Geometry now. She took the PSAT and scored in 94th percentile for her math section. She scored 98th percentile overall. I thought that was good considering she's not a "math" person and hasn't finished Geometry which is part of the test. She'll have a whole year to prepare for next when it really counts.

[amsunshine]

I don't think you will be doomed -- allowing your ds to move at his own pace is part of the beauty of homeschooling. But, I'm curious as to why he will be doing the LOF books in between Singapore 6B and DM 7?

 

FWIW, DM 7 is an integrated math course, but more equivalent to pre-algebra than a full algebra course.

[Jennifer WI]

Oh, he doesn't do the LOF books in between. I figured it would be in addition to. In other words, 7th grade he'd do 5A, 5B, at the same time LOF. 8th grade would be 6A, 6B, at the same time LOF Pre-Algebra. We love LOF, and while he is doing fine with it, I don't think he'd do as fine if he didn't have the other curriculum backing him up.

[Jennifer WI]

I don't think you will be doomed -- allowing your ds to move at his own pace is part of the beauty of homeschooling. But, I'm curious as to why he will be doing the LOF books in between Singapore 6B and DM 7?

 

FWIW, DM 7 is an integrated math course, but more equivalent to pre-algebra than a full algebra course.

 

Oh I see. I didn't know what it was equivalent to. Hmmm...

[amsunshine]

Oh, I see! Hmm. Well, he may surprise you and move more quickly through levels 5 and 6 than you think! Another option might be to work through the summers to see if you can't get him to start DM7 in 8th, if possible. That way, he would only be approx 1 year behind common core standards -- if that matters to you at all. On the other hand, DM has more topics than even what common core standards require. It's not easy to compare an integrated approach with the typical American math sequence. So, difficult to really say he would be "way behind". DM is a really nice program. We've just started and are already in love after finishing the first chapter. Lots of brain push-ups going on. :hurray:

[Matryoshka]

FWIW, DM 7 is an integrated math course, but more equivalent to pre-algebra than a full algebra course.

 

 

But it's also not just Pre-alagebra. It's more like Pre-Algebra, part of Algebra I, and part of Geometry. There's a chart showing rough equivalency at the singaporemath site.

 

I'm not sure that I'd use Discovering Mathematics with a kid who's behind or struggling in math. It's quite meaty and requires very strong problem-solving skills. It's the closest thing to AoPS that isn't AoPS that I've seen.

 

One of my twins did Discovering Mathematics 1st level in 7th. She did really well with it, but it took up a lot of her day. Her sister, who also went through Singapore 6B but isn't as mathematically inclined, would have had a breakdown trying to do that book.

[amsunshine]

 

 

But it's also not just Pre-alagebra. It's more like Pre-Algebra, part of Algebra I, and part of Geometry. There's a chart showing rough equivalency at the singaporemath site.

 

I'm not sure that I'd use Discovering Mathematics with a kid who's behind or struggling in math. It's quite meaty and requires very strong problem-solving skills. It's the closest thing to AoPS that isn't AoPS that I've seen.

 

One of my twins did Discovering Mathematics 1st level in 7th. She did really well with it, but it took up a lot of her day. Her sister, who also went through Singapore 6B but isn't as mathematically inclined, would have had a breakdown trying to do that book.

 

Yes, I agree. I suppose I was thinking that an 8th-9th grader might have some more maturity and might be able to handle DM. I only have experience with the first chapter of the text and workbook, though, so I defer to those who have done more of it than we have.

[Jennifer WI]

What did your other daughter do? I know a lot of the mainstream programs that are out there, and none of them excite me a whole lot. Since Singapore has been going well I figured we'd just continue. But he isn't mathy, so I don't want him breaking down either!

 

I know I have time, but I can't help but think about what to do.

 

As well as SM is going for him right now, I'd say he may be able to do both levels 5 and 6 in 2013.

[dbmamaz]

Doomed in what way? If he's trying to get in to an elite college in a technical major, there might be some issues. Otherwise, whatever. My son started the upper level singapore in 9th grade and i feel good about where we are. He was just not ready for algebra in 8th grade no matter what system I tried, and it turned out he was missing some stuff from the pre-algebra, so what can you do? i'm not willing to push him to tears, doing math twice as much in a day. I feel good about his level of understanding - but i'm only planning to send him to community college. We'll see what happens. If they need a gap year to take high school calc, ok, whatever.

[Jennifer WI]

Doomed in what way? If he's trying to get in to an elite college in a technical major, there might be some issues. Otherwise, whatever. My son started the upper level singapore in 9th grade and i feel good about where we are. He was just not ready for algebra in 8th grade no matter what system I tried, and it turned out he was missing some stuff from the pre-algebra, so what can you do? i'm not willing to push him to tears, doing math twice as much in a day. I feel good about his level of understanding - but i'm only planning to send him to community college. We'll see what happens. If they need a gap year to take high school calc, ok, whatever.

 

 

Thanks for this. I was in fact joking a little about actually being doomed. BUT, I have been stressed about his math. I love your reply. It settled me just reading it. Our plan/hopes for our kids right now include going to a Bible college for a year of Biblical study, then doing whatever they want. If they want to continue there to earn a degree they can. Or they can go to technical college, or go to a different college. I know it's not extremely difficult to get into this college, and I know it's a small campus where the studen professor ratio is very good, so if they need help it really is there. I officially don't know why I've been worrying so much about this.

 

After today's terrible events in Connecticut, I think I will try very hard to relax, enjoy my children and go give my son a hug.

 

Thanks again everyone.

[Nan in Mass]

If he plans on going to an elite school, I'm sure they would rather that he made it through calculus senior year. Otherwise...

Nope

My middle one started NEM (which I'm pretty sure is the older equivalent) in 9th grade. He did NEM1 in 9th, NEM2 in 10th, NEM3 in 11th, and in 12th took pre-calc at the community college. (He place into pre-calc when he was a little way into NEM2 but I didn't think the placement was accurate so we waited another year.) He began Singapore in 6th grade with 3A (or maybe B ) after public school Chicago Math and a year of Saxon. He was a mess when I got him and the year of Saxon, although it didn't fix any of the mess, at least taught him the standard algorithms for things like long division and multiplication. Primary Math was obviously fixing the mess so I didn't want to hurry him too much. He is in a technical major at a state college. Most of the college hasn't had calculus when they arrive and take it when they are there.

Nan

[Sandwich in Wi]

My dd is doing DM in her high school years, possibly backed up with LOF. She's almost finished with DM 1B in her 9th grade year. She's doing well, although the geometry is kicking her b**t.

 

I knew it was rated for 7/8th grade (the DM series) but I assumed it was just different, foreign standards. Will DM plus LOF be adequate for high school math? She's undecided on college but if she goes, it will likely be for linguistics, languages or mission-minded something, not a technical, sciencey degree.

 

I'm requiring 3 credits of math for her graduation (the minimum by PS standards here).

 

Blessings,

Sandwich

[Jennifer WI]

If he plans on going to an elite school, I'm sure they would rather that he made it through calculus senior year. Otherwise...

 

Nope

 

My middle one started NEM (which I'm pretty sure is the older equivalent) in 9th grade. He did NEM1 in 9th, NEM2 in 10th, NEM3 in 11th, and in 12th took pre-calc at the community college. (He place into pre-calc when he was a little way into NEM2 but I didn't think the placement was accurate so we waited another year.) He began Singapore in 6th grade with 3A (or maybe B) after public school Chicago Math and a year of Saxon. He was a mess when I got him and the year of Saxon, although it didn't fix any of the mess, at least taught him the standard algorithms for things like long division and multiplication. Primary Math was obviously fixing the mess so I didn't want to hurry him too much. He is in a technical major at a state college. Most of the college hasn't had calculus when they arrive and take it when they are there.

 

Nan

 

We have a little mess to clean up here as well. :closedeyes: But I really like what's happening right now with Singapore. I've been rushing him a bit, which hasn't made math very pleasant. I am going to plan on starting NEM or DM freshman year. Then I can relax his math schedule a little and let him breath. If he gets ahead and starts it sooner, great! But I'm going to be done being so worried about it.

 

 

Thanks everyone.

[dbmamaz]

(math is the one subject we definitely do over summer as well, in an effort to go at a comfortable pace and also catch up!)

[Candid]

Oh yes, completely and totally doomed, Abandon hope all ye who do not take DM in 7th grade. . ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, I had to get that out of my system.

 

You've gotten a lot of great help in this thread.

 

I completely agree with the idea that you may go through 5 and 6 quicker than you think and depending on what edition you are using you might be able to skip 6. See this thread over on their boards: http://www.singaporemaths.com/forums/showthread.php?4104-Pros-amp-Cons-of-skipping-US-Edition-6A-6B

 

The only place I'd like to add on is the idea that Singapore's math is too much for average students. I don't think so, in the Singapore system it lifts those average students up into the top performers in the world. So yes it is tough math, but it is well explained tough math.

 

I have not used DM, only NEM, you may expect that the pace may ramp up slightly.

 

The one thing to keep an eye on is his readiness for the SAT and PSAT. I'd use a prep book for each to make sure he's covered everything a US student has by the time he gets to those tests. BUT you'd do that anyway, just tell him if there is a math concept that he doesn't remember studying to let you know. You can probably use Khan Academy if needed to fill anything that shows up as a gap.

[Kate in Arabia]

My ds 15 - 9th grade will be finishing the first level of DM (DM 1B) this month, and will start with 2A in January.

 

This is one thing I never quite "got" about Singapore, people always say how Singapore is ahead, yet most still have their kids on track or ahead level-wise, I've never really understood that.

 

Anyway, we've always used Singapore. I took a slow and steady approach with ds 1, who is a natural in language arts but not in math. He finished Singapore level 6 and started DM 1 in 8th grade. I think you will find that in particular in DM 1A a lot there will look familiar. After discussing a bit on the Singapore website forums, I decided to accelerate as possible, and try to finish three levels in two years. I don't know how it will be getting into level 2, but it has not been a problem at all with level 1 (going faster). I credit a lot of that with the time we spent really cementing the basics, but also as I mentioned there is some overlap between SM 6 and DM 1.

 

hth!