Going from Singapore to CLE?

[lanabug]

I'm planning to switch dd7 (rising 2nd grader) to CLE math next year. I *love* Singapore, but she needs a bit more practice on each topic before moving on, and I really can't afford to add the extra Singapore practice books right now.

 

I'm looking for your experiences with going from Singapore to CLE. We'll be going from 1A/1B to CLE 2, and I'm a bit concerned that Singapore waits so long to introduce vertical problems. CLE seems to introduce them very early in 1st grade.

 

Your thoughts on switching?

 

Lana

[I.Dup.]

We did this with my daughter in 3rd grade and it has worked out beautifully. She was behind because Singapore was just way over her head so we had to repeat a year, and then she completed 2 more years after that. She is finally able to understand concepts, I think CLE does a good job of explaining things. We will be sticking with CLE through 7th grade.

 

I am switching my more math-focused son over to CLE as well, he just completed Singapore 2a/b. I personally prefer CLE because I don't feel Singapore explains things in a way that is easy for me as the teacher to explain. He is able to make the conceptual leaps that she wasn't, but I'm still puzzled on how to explain things to him in the way that Singapore lays out (and having the HIG didn't seem to help with that, but it's been a few years- I used it for dd but not ds).

 

So all of that to say, we have been very happy with CLE!

[wapiti]

My random thoughts: SM emphasizes understanding of concepts. If that means waiting a bit on a particular procedure/algorithm (such as vertical calculation), that would not concern me in the least - SM may build slowly in the beginning but is ahead of grade level (depending on what standards one is referring to) in the long run.

 

Another affordable option for extra practice (either as a supplement or as a main curriculum) is MM, which has lots of practice and is similar in instruction to SM.

 

Question I don't personally know the answer to that you might want to ask: does the format of CLE's lessons include practice on that lesson's topic before moving on, or does CLE's extra practice spiral in, in future lessons? Which one are you looking for? They are two different types of organization.

[lorisuewho]

I've used both and I think you'll be fine with the switch. However, I would have manipulatives available to show her how the trades are made in the verticle problems. So, in CLE 2 there might be a problem like 25 plus 28. I would have toothpicks bundled in packs of ten and individual toothpicks to show that you are adding 8 toothpicks plus 5 toothpicks and trading 10 of them in for one bundle. THEN, mark the one above the ten column. Does this make sense? Make sure YOU show her the connection between what she has been doing in Singapore and the way they are going to write it in CLE.

 

CLE is very spiral and has lots of practice. It may be just what your daughter needs.