DD7 (almost 8) is asking for math workbooks. I randomly had picked up a couple of Kumon ones at Target, sort of a rainy day activity, and she loves them (well, the one labeled grade 3-4, which gives her some pause, that she shouldn't be allowed to do them or something because of the title). I don't make her do it, she just thinks it's fun (omg, she asks permission to do it LOL). At least it's good practice for learning the multiplication table. She's asking for more and I'm trying to decide what sort of workbooks to get her. Should I look around for more inexpensive, random stuff at Target, etc.? Or shoud I go with more of a curriculum, like Singapore? I was leaning toward Singapore, just because there's more she wants to learn that she hasn't quite come across at school just yet (I'm afraid her teacher is very linear when it comes to the curriculum). Placement is another question (she could pass the 2B test, but some of that is what she still wants to practice, so I'm not sure - maybe I get both that one and the 3A. I haven't even looked at the test for 3A but I assume she's not there yet). She's in second grade in a montessori school, and I'm never quite sure where she's at, curriculum-wise. Doing the workbooks does give me a better idea. Even if she hasn't moved far ahead of grade level yet, I just love watching her enjoy math

So, any thoughts? Any other series of workbooks that anyone would like to recommend? (remember, this is "just for fun" wink wink) Thanks!!

p.s. she's very much a visual-spatial learner

HOw about Zaccaro's book? Primary Grade Challenge Math? Singapore is great for pick up and go.

I second that. Zaccaro covers lots of different concept. She could choose what she likes and wouldn't have to follow any given sequence.

Singapore is great but Zaccaro may work better as fun math.

I'd like to know whether any other parents of GT kids have looked at Oxford University Press. Their phonics progrssion in reading is great and today I was checking out their math books. hard to decipher to what extent one can use these with GT kids without them getting bored - but certianly for 2E kids - they use a lot of diagramming - especially for the IGSCE level for teens. I tested DS6 on level 12 chapter books last week before we got the IQ results - as I was interested to see how he would adpat to a chapter book - as he is very picky about what he will and will not read. They have a specifically designed range of books for boys - geared towards today's generation of kids that play a lot of video games and maybe hate to read. Some parents may find that helpful.

Also has anyone else checked out Susan and Jessie Wise/Bauer's home school curriculum/sites?

A publisher named Mindwares has a lot of interesting math/puzzle books for kids. They are a lot of fun and the kids can practice math concepts without even knowing it.

Thanks gang! I really appreciate your thoughts. I'll probably start with a Singapore workbook and then think about getting the Zaccaro book also. The Zaccaro book is a text, not a workbook, right?

Thanks again

Mathy kids should be immersed in mathcounts workbooks early.
You can get them on their website.
And yes , Zaccaro books are textbooks. Very easy to go throught, not a lot of time needed at all.
Also, check out the math olympiad site (MOEMS).
Math olympiad starts in 4 th grade and goes through 8th. You can purchase problems discs on their website.

Jumping in because I'm in the same marketplace - yesterday's parent-teacher meeting resulted in permission, maybe even encouragement, to let DS5 do extra maths at home and keep his teacher in touch with what he's doing, yay!

I had a brief look at the MathCounts website and couldn't immediately see the info that would tell me whether DS is ready for any of that - but what does "middle school" mean, 11-13 or some such? Probably not for us just yet then.

So far we've mostly improvised; as far as bought materials go we've only used Bond Assessment books. They're good for talking about with DS, as (because they're assessment, not teaching) there's lots of variety. Something with more sequence might be good though. (I've also wondered about an online programme - don't think I'd want to be paying for tutoring given that DH and I can do that, but I was interested in the talk about ALEKS recently.)

I've heard a couple of recommendations for BRAINQUEST books, but they're not easily available in the UK, and I'm not quite convinced enough to order them from the US, and not sure which one we'd want first anyway. Anyone used those, and have suggestions? DS is secure with any size addition and subtraction, understands multiplication and division but only does them with small numbers (no long- either yet), is getting into prime factorisation, gets negative numbers and some aspects of fractions, understands symmetry quite well but for reasons I don't understand has a little trouble with rotation, is good at patterns, knows lots about 2D and 3D shapes, knows various simple kinds of charts, etc. Here that puts him roughly at 7-8yo maths: so I want Grade 2 or 3 I suppose, but which?

Ania - can you link to the Mathcounts workbooks?

thanks,
Dazey

My DD6 absolutely loves brainquest. She's been doing them for a few years now. In fact we're getting a new one next week for our vacation trip. They have books that are just math or some that are "everything" type. They also have cool question cards that are bound at the top so you never use them and they have something like 1000 questions per pack. (Or it seems like that many when you're sitting there doing them with her nonstop.) These packs have questions on one card then the next card in the pack has the answers, and there are question/answer sets on both sides!

Thanks Dottie! I think I have one of those on my wish list which is steadily getting longer when I'm supposed to be cutting back.

Here's the one I was looking at for DS. What do you think of these? Moem's book I was looking at the 2nd book, Math Olympiad Contest Problems for Elementary and Middle Schools by Dr. G. Lenchner.

All right, I ordered Singapore workbook 3A and the Zaccaro book. I hesitated about the book until I thought, duh, dd is about to be the eldest of 6 kids, and one of her brothers who is currently K is fast on her heels in math. So hopefully they'll all be able to use it.

I swear I've seen the Brainquest stuff at a store - is that possible? Like Lakeshore Learning or US Toy or something.

I too would like the link about mathcounts - all I found was something about a national competition for middle school (and we'd have a long way to go before she's ready for that lol)

thanks again

Question to all those who buys these workbooks. My son loved doing a math workbook we have at home...but hasn't been doing it much lately. Frankly after getting his testing results I am assuming it isn't all that interesting to him. So how do I know what to get him? Like how do I know what level he is at? He is into multiplication, word problems, coding, division, some fractions. I just haven't taught him anything...so not sure what else. His evaluator suggested I expose him to more math since he is so into it and picks it up really fast.

Zaccaro is mixed level. They have 4 levels for each chapter. You can also choose whatever topic he may be interested in. In most of the cases the order doesn't really matter.

I like the Zaccaro levels. So far, dd prefers the singapore workbook I got her - I think she just likes workbook format. But anyway, singapore math has brief placement tests on its website that make it relatively easy to figure out where your child fits in terms of levels. I couldn't really get dd to do the test but knowing what she's been up to lately made it easy. Still, as with all other subjects, it seems she's ahead in parts and behind (well, not behind but not as exposed or as advanced) in other parts (e.g. she didn't know much about metric measurement because she's only now seeing that in school, but I got the workbook that goes with her level of multiplication/division. So I guess you could say she has a few little gaps though they're not a big deal).

As a teacher, I like Luminous Learning workbooks. The math problems are well-organized and easy to understand. The parents of my students give them great reviews, as well. They cover all the major topics (fractions, time and money, patterns, geometry, graphs, etc.). You can buy them online: http://luminouslearning.weebly.com/summer-math-boosters.html

My dd is just 5, but she really likes the flashkids workbooks...they are pretty quick to get through and teach overall concepts rather than a lot of drill. We are focussing more on high level concepts and having fun rather than practicing drills as I am guessing she will get enough of that in school (she will be in kinder this year and is teaching herself basic multiplication right now). They have gifted math books too that are pretty good.
ETA We also have the singapore math books, but have avoided doing them as they use the same program in her school next year.

If you're looking at a third grade suppliment I just kept hearing about Beast Academy until I went ahead and bought it. They only have the third grade series and it's too new to buy used. My kid's starting Singapore 1a. I got these "for later", but he's already started reading them some because they're super cute. I just opened to tell you what's in it.
In the comic book for 3a is a conversation.
"The four corners of my math book are all right angles."
"All four corners of this panel are right angles."
"I'm right!"
"Good. Does anyone know an angle like this that is smaller than a right angle?"
"That's a cute angle."
"Very good, Winnie! Angles that are smaller than right angles are called acute angles. Can anyone guess what we call an angle that is larger than a right angle?"
"Uncute angles?"
"Wide angles?"
"Obese angles?"...
It goes on. At the bottom of that page is a monster sitting inside a wide open angle with a little speech bubble saying, "I'm obtuse." lmao
From what I've read on the Well Trained Mind board Beast Academy is best just left to the kids because it by AOPS and it's meant to make you work a little at thinking to come up with the answer. I told my kid these books are for after he finishes Singapore 3, but didn't leave them put up out of his reach either.