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ds is in kinder and doing 2a singapore math and also the challenge word problems.



I did get him the word problems and suprisingly he is able to read them just fine. He is also using a strange way to answer the questions but it works (its not like he has been taught how to do it at school.. being in kinder)..

an example 425 + 381 .. he did 400+300 then 20+80 and then 1+5. Not how I would have done it but he got the answer correct! So does method really matter how he gets the answer?

That looks like a good way to do it because it shows he understands place value. In that example he's also managed to deal with the place value going to the next level and correcting his previous 'subanswer' so that's actually pretty good!

I think the beauty of the Singapore method is that it encourages using lots of different mental math strategies. I love the way your son did it. It's so great to see those little minds working!

My son did math the same way in K, it seemed to lead right into an easy time with long addition, subtraction very quickly. They really understand place value that way as GeoMamma said. Makes math a quick learn after that. When they are into math they excel very quickly. It isn't as complicated as other subjects, theres a clear system, pattern, answer and once my son figured that out he started skipping grades like crazy. It has slowed a bit with Algebra but the same thing, a patterned learned seems pretty easy for him. If they have a good memory it gets almost ridiculous.