cmarthur Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 We started Beast Academy using 3B and are currently in 3C with plans to continue through the levels. Our main program is Singapore Primary Math 4 Standards Edition. We originally started BA as a supplement for multiplication and division but absolutely love it so we are working through both programs each day. My question is about 3A. The scope of 3A is shapes, skip counting, and perimeter and area. I don't want to purchase 3A and spend the time going through it unless there are some important concepts taught in 3A that won't be caught in 4A (shapes, multiplication, exponents). Those topics are also taught in Singapore 4 but I think BA provides for a deeper understanding. Can anyone who has completed 3A and 4A tell me if I would be missing anything they feel is important by not going back and doing 3A? It is the shapes section I am most interested in. She is pretty solid on perimeter and area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosieCotton Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 I think you can skip 3A, we did and used it along side SM Standards and there wasn't really anything we missed out on. Now that I have another one coming up on needing BA 3A, I think I'll skip it again and move right to 3B. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spring Flower Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 My DD will be finishing BA 3A tomorrow. She is currently working her way through SM 4B. I feel like BA has gone way beyond what she has learned in SM. Is BA 3A essential? Probably not. Is it worthwhile? Absolutely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 If you're using Beast as a supplement, then you've skipped some of its best supplemental topics by skipping 3A. There's nothing like that skip counting chapter. And the shapes stuff is some of the more difficult and thought provoking stuff in the whole third grade year. We've used both 3A and 4A. You'll be fine, I guess. But I think you're thinking about this all wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexi Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 If you're using Beast as a supplement, then you've skipped some of its best supplemental topics by skipping 3A. There's nothing like that skip counting chapter. And the shapes stuff is some of the more difficult and thought provoking stuff in the whole third grade year. We've used both 3A and 4A. You'll be fine, I guess. But I think you're thinking about this all wrong. I've only used 3A and 3B but 3A was so challenging for my daughter. It really made her think. I don't think I'd skip that one. It was a great one for my dd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaChicken Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Although the topic titles "repeat" in BA, the content doesn't repeat at all. I think 3a is my favorite BA book, even the second time arund. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetpea3829 Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 I would definitely do 3A. I had a similar reaction when I realized 3A was all about shapes and skip counting, etc. Skip counting? In an accelerated 3rd grade math book. But man alive, that chapter was HARD! Definitely worthwhile to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Five More Minutes Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 I'd agree with others: 3A isn't *necessary*, but then Beast Academy isn't really about doing what's necessary. We loved 3A and wouldn't skip it. Who knew skip counting could be so cool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 The shapes chapter is a very cool chapter on THINKING about shapes. It teaches some logic not found elsewhere. The skip counting chapter is also very good. I don't remember the area and perimeter chapter being way better than SM, but I'm about to get to it with my second child. You could certainly skip 3A, but it is a great book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Agreeing that it's worth doing for the geometry stuff. I didn't do a good job teaching elementary level geometry with my older dd. My younger is getting a much better background. Heck, I'm learning ways of thinking about shapes and the relation between geometric shapes and math that I never knew! There is a lot in BA that isn't "necessary" if your goal is just to meet state standards or pass yearly tests. But that's the whole point of doing it, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 You will find new material, won't find it essential, but will find it a beautiful enrichment on simple sounding topics. So whether to use 3A is answered by why would you use it. Want enrichment and mind stretching? Use it Worried your student can't progress without it? Don't use it Would like to learn something new? Use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmarthur Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Thanks for all the responses about 3A. We are going to complete it following 3D. It really sounds like it is going to be worth the time and the cost to purchase it. We love Beast Academy so I'm sure I won't regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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