Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources Singapore Math Questions

I am growing dissatisfied with ALEKS. DS is disinclined to click "explain," so he's not getting much actual instruction. He is nonetheless 4 grades ahead of his assigned grade/age level, finishing 7th grade ALEKS as a 3rd grader. Thinking about switching to Singapore Math, but I'm not sure what I'd have to buy.

It's nice that they have placement tests on the site, so I'm not too concerned about level. Reviewing a little wouldn't kill him in any case. What I'd like to know is this: is just buying a Primary Math Workbook enough? Or do I need the textbook plus workbook plus home guide in order for this to work?

I don't see where Singapore includes geometry constructions and that sort of thing (bisecting a line with a compass, etc)-- and I would love for DS to have more practice with this. Anyone know of good paper-and-pencil resources for practicing these skills?

Thanks,
DeeDee

At the elementary levels, I'd recommend the textbook and "Challenging Word Problems" books, especially the newly revised versions which seem better to me than the ones available a year ago. The textbooks include the instruction as well as a fair number of practice and review problem sections. The textbook problems are targeted at exercising the learned material, and the workbooks are mostly more of the same, while the CWP includes some problems which are a bit more complex. Their website has sample pages of everything to get sense of the content. We're still in the elementary books, so I don't yet have experience with the grade 7+ books.

We're going to have the same problem you do, since DS6 is midway through 4th grade EPGY and will top out of the OE 7th grade curriculum by 3rd grade at this rate. I do think the instruction in EPGY is better than in ALEKS, and you can't jump around so you get the lecture automatically before each new piece.

We also use Rightstart Math. At DS's (and certainly your DS's) levels, most of the curriculum is too light. However, I think it's really fabulous with geometry. It incorporates a lot of drawing, math-art concepts, and manipulatives to make it fun, too.

I don't know if you like this. I've known artists who said good things about it:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/0060926716/ref=aw_d_cr_books
Same thing, different site:
http://www.constructingtheuniverse.com/

Browsed quickly down the amazon trail while I fed the baby and read amongst the reviews and offerings that origami paper folding is a nice kind of hands on side trip for this subject. Man I like seeing all the great things there are to learn.

I forgot to add a recommendation for Life of Fred. My friend has an 8 year old at 5th grade math and a 10 year old at 7th grade math levels, and they love this one. I'm about to look at it for DS, too.

I have taken my oldest (4th grader) through the entire elementary Singapore series and now he is into the Singapore New Elementary Math series (NEM1 and 2 cover beginning algebra and geometry). I also have a math degree and am a little obsessed about math curriculum(ok - quite a bit. Have a large pile here of various options).

I think even the base workbook is going to have deeper problems than a curriculum like Alex will have. Singapore problems tend to require application of knowledge to unique problems sooner than other curriculum will. I know another family with a GT boy that is testing 4 grade levels ahead, that came back 3 grade levels to start in Singapore. You can race through a few levels this way anyway. I absolutely do recommend the CWP too, but I think even the base Singapore curriculum is going to considerably deeper than most elementary curriculum. We did have an Alex account for a couple months, but I considered more a way to have extra practice. My son did 3 grade levels of Singapore as a 2nd grader (when we started homeschooling, so I started at grade level). And he did 2 levels as a 3rd grader. Which brought him ready to tackle algebra. One downside of Singapore is that 6A/B does cover some pre-algebra but not enough to jump into most rigorous Alg. 1 programs. Which had me looking at pre-algebra programs which all looked really easy and hokey compared to Singapore.

Whether or not you need the teacher's book really depends on you and your child. If you're math comfortable and/or your child tends to work independently, probably not. If you like some hints to sit down and discuss, you might want it. I've heard people say they wouldn't use Singapore without the teacher's guide. I've never owned the teacher books through the elementary series.

We've also been very happy with the NEM series (1st book anyway). It is extremely challenging. It's not quite the workload of the AoPS books (art of problem solving), but they have plenty of challenge and depth. We're moving fairly slowly! But had we taken AoPS, we'd be crawling and my son would probably be frustrated with the speed and not getting to new concepts faster. He has no problem with concepts, but is not computationally the fast kid around.

Thanks, all. I will definitely get the word problems (DS's weaker spot, if there is one). And shoot for the textbooks first, hoping that there are enough practice problems in there to keep DS happy. And save the workbooks for a later shopping "trip" should that become necessary. Does that sound like I have it right?

Does Singapore start geometric constructions in level 7? I'm looking for something that is like what I did in grade 7, and what DS is doing in ALEKS level 6 and 7-- but on paper instead of on screen. It's hard for me to tell what the level of the Rightstart geometry materials is... and I'd hate to make a mistake at that price.

Kimck, what did you choose for pre-algebra? It won't be long for us, even if we review through Singapore 5-6 this year.

DS has Life of Fred: Fractions and didn't care for it. The ratio of words to math was too high. I thought it was hilarious, though, and a more patient kid would probably love it.

Keep those thoughts coming-- I appreciate them.

DeeDee

This is not a content heavy workbook, but it does have fun compass and straightedge exercises. My dd is a little younger. She did this book last summer when she just turned 8.

http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Build...ooks&qid=1295930193&sr=8-1-spell

We don't use the workbooks, only the textbooks.

Great idea! Sounds like a good compromise. Best of luck.