Next step for math (after SM 5B)

[Staceyshoe]

We're doing Singapore Math 5 this year, and my plan is to move on to something else for next year.  He does not enjoy arithmetic, but loves mathematical reasoning and has done quite a bit of learning on his own in that area.  I'm trying to figure out the best next step for us.  Obviously, a placement test now won't tell me where he will be at the end of this year.  If we need to take the EXPLORE to open up opportunities, I need to be looking into that process now because we have scheduling challenges.  If it's unnecessary, then I prefer to skip the EXPLORE because it would involve travel and overnight stay for us.

I don't plan to be ds's primary math teacher after this year so I'm looking at other options.   Instead of plunging him into algebra (though maybe that is the right step??), I think an online self-paced condensed pre-algebra class would be great.  Here's what I've considered:
 

*The Center for Talent Development through NWU has a class that would meet our needs, but it's still pretty expensive IMO. 
* AOPS (the curriculum I'm leaning toward) has online classes, but they aren't self-paced.  I am concerned about pre-algebra being too boring, but algebra being overwhelming. 
* ALEKS

What do you recommend?  What else should I be looking at?  Any advice about pre-algebra vs algebra placement?  There's no rush to decide *unless* we need the EXPLORE, in which case I would need to register him in the next couple of months.

[kiana]

I really don't think AOPS pre-algebra will be too boring after SM 5.

[Dana]

I don't think the Explore will open up opportunities that will be very useful for math.

Explore scores let me know that I can push my son a bit more and gave me permission to go a bit faster with some material.

From what I've read, the CTY and CTD math classes at the elementary level aren't going to be any better than what you can do on your own.

 

We moved from Singapore Standards 5 to algebra without any difficulty.

 

AoPS is designed to be done by the kids from the book alone, so you could start with the Prealgebra book and move quickly through it - or just start with Algebra and see how that goes.

I'd probably not start with an online course. They sound like they move really quickly.

[EKS]

We used Derek Owens Prealgebra when my son was 9yo and ready intellectually for algebra but not ready for the organization of written output required.  He went on to be very successful in Algebra I in his b&m school the next year.

[serendipitous journey]

We are using AoPS PreA right now.  I think that Kai's suggestion is a very strong one for your situation -- I would hesitate to move into AoPS PreA as a self-taught course directly.  And also seconding Dana's point about the pace of online courses; they can easily become very stressful. If you do look at AoPS materials, Richard there is very responsive to emails so you could run it by him.

[Crimson Wife]

The new "Elements of Mathematics" program from eIMACS is an intriguing looking option. http://www.elementsofmathematics.com/

 

I skipped my DD from Singapore 5 into DM 7, but it turned out she wasn't quite ready to move on to DM 8A after she finished. Primary Math 6 would've been too easy, however, so we're instead doing selected units from MEP years 7-9. I also jut got a copy of Ron Larson's "Math and You", which is a consumer/"real world" math book written at the pre-algebra/early algebra 1 level. So I'm planning to throw that into the mix to help deal with the "but when am I ever actually going to USE math after graduation?" complaints. http://www.math.andyou.com/

[Dmmetler]

We're doing AOPS Pre-A after SM through 5B, LOF fractions, decimals, and pre-Algebra I and 2, and Key to Algebra, and it's still not boring for DD-every section has has new to her material and has had challenging problems.

[Alte Veste Academy]

There has been lots of great chatter on the boards about Jousting Armadillos before AoPS.

[Staceyshoe]

Thank you!  It looks like there are more options I need to consider.  I'm glad to hear that there isn't any pressing need to do the EXPLORE.  Now I can take some time to weigh other options and decide.

[boscopup]

AoPS Prealgebra is anything but "boring arithmetic". :) Well, the first chapter was a little boring in the problem sections, but the exercises themselves were fun. Then we got to exponents in chapter 2, and it became more fun. We'll start Chapter 3 sometime this week (after doing a couple of sections of Dolciani to get some "drill and kill" in the topic before moving on to the fun stuff :D ).

 

We did Singapore 5B before moving to AoPS. It's been a good fit. I just needed to throw in Dolciani a bit, because my son does need some time using basic concepts (like exponents) before jumping into difficult problem solving with them. Our combo is working really well. We're not using all of Dolciani, but we do every AoPS problem.