Math

Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:10 pm

So we are good for this year, but next year I don't think we will use Singapore Math. What math are you using?

Tracy~Mama to two Squeeks. Beanie is 7 and Boots is 5!!!

Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:42 pm

We use Math U See, but we are only on Primer so I'm not sure how we will like it as we move on. So far, we really like it.

Danae Noel 4/4/2007
David Timothy 4/15/2009

Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:46 pm

I have one using Math U see and the other 2 are Christian Light Press. I spent all last year looking for a program that they both could do and we were all miserable so I just decided we would do different programs for their different learning styles.

I love both programs but can really see more progress and retention with the kids that use CLE. I will admit CLE is a lot of work and took us almost a year to get with the full program. It recommends flashcards, speed drills, counting exercises and 4 pages of math problems per day. We usually do 2 of these exercises and the 4 pages of bookwork.

When our next is ready for school I am hoping CLE will work for her.

Momma to Q (ds) 10, CareBear (dd) 8, KaiKai (ds) 7, and Bebe (dd) 2, and baby Libby

Sat Dec 01, 2012 2:37 pm

We are still using Singapore, but we don't use it exclusively. I have him do a lesson in Teaching Textbooks everyday (which is a spiral, computer-based, independent program) and read through a chapter, doing the questions, from a Life of Fred book as well (he is up to Honey now). I keep track of his scores and what topic he is working on in Teaching Textbooks, then when he's had a few lessons, I break out the Singapore or Beast Academy or something else to provide more challenge with each concept once he's had a chance to master the basics. This way, I still feel like he's being challenged conceptually and stretching his brain with harder problems, but don't have to deal with the confusion that was caused by just jumping in with both feet to more challenging concepts when I taught solely with Singapore.

Other than from you, the only thing I've heard about Jump Math is from Timberdoodle.com. The only things I have really heard is that it is made in Canada, which sounds perfect for you guys, and that it is often used as remedial math. I'm not sure if that's really the case or not (they don't have a table of contents or scope and sequence or anything listed on their site), but you may want to look at other S&S's from a few other curricula just to see what they may be covering in their second grade math books that Jump might not be. Like for instance, I know Singapore starts teaching multiplication facts for a few different fact families. If that's not something that Jump covers, maybe you could play some multiplication games, without a workbook or anything, just to get her familiar with the concept. Also, it would be great if you could get her memorizing some of her multiplication facts already. I have found now in third grade that Kai is not picking them up quite as quickly as many curricula assumes a child would (which is really fast IMO), which makes for some long and frustrating computations for him. I wish we would've started even earlier with those.

Just thought I'd add that I have heard from a few different people, including a charter school teacher friend, that Teaching Textbooks also runs a bit behind our state's math standards...I still really like the program though, so that's why we supplement with some harder material from time to time. I also have him work ahead. He did the 3rd grade level last year for 2nd. Now, he's currently 3/4 of the way through the 4th grade level, and then we'll move on to the 5th. I still pull from Singapore 3rd grade when we use that though...funny how different programs can be.

Anyway, I could tell you more about the following:

Teaching Textbooks
Singapore Primary Standards
Life of Fred
Beast Academy
Math Mammoth
Saxon (not my favorite)

if you find yourself considering one of these and would like more of a review.

Sat Dec 01, 2012 9:35 pm

Thanks for everyone's input.

Miranda:

Beast Academy- What is that?
Math Mammoth- What is that?
Saxon- Why is it not your fav?

Tracy~Mama to two Squeeks. Beanie is 7 and Boots is 5!!!