I have been going back and forth between Saxon and Horizon math for 1st grade next year. I went to look over each one at the local book store and came across Singapore. I feel like Saxon level 1 was too slow for my dd and Horizon looked a little fast and didn't seem to have a lot of explanation. So, I feel like Singapore seems like a great fit for us. But I have read so much about how you need to supplement with additional practice and drill work. I was wondering if you use Singapore how you supplement it and if you feel like your kids are getting what they need from it. Thanks
I used Singapore for 2 years straight and never supplemented. My son must've gotten what he needed from it because he tested a grade ahead when we shifted to Teaching Textbooks this year. He's skipping 4th grade and going straight into 5th. I'm not sure why people would think you need to supplement, but, then, my son is really advanced in math and so maybe that's why I never saw the need?
well that is what I have read. that if you have advanced math students who don't really need extra drill it would be enough. But most students would need a little extra to get the practice and review they need. I'm not sure what my dd will need but I just want to be prepared with extra materials if she needs more review.
I used Miquon along with Singapore to the end of Level 3. I plan to use Math Mammoth for Level 4 and up.
I feel there is plenty of drill and practice in Singapore. But Singapore does offer extra practice books and challenging word problems if you want that. I supplemented with hands-on games and activities because I feel that is needed.
Is Miquon a more hands on approach? Also, how do you use them both? Do they introduce the same skills at the same time?
Miquon is more hands-on because of the Cuisenaire Rods. No, they do not correlate well on their own; in fact I know of no two math programs that do. However, there are several ways to use both together; I preferred picking related worksheets from Miquon to use with Singapore as the spine, but they are very different in approaches in other ways and that is what I liked about using both of them. Miquon is parent intensive and investigative, plus its topics are broader. Singapore is a more focused mastery program and has strong development of problem solving skills. There used to be a rough guide chart to correlate Miquon and Singapore on the Singapore math site, but I am not finding it now at all. I began with it, but I ended up making my own to fit my daughter's learning style and progress.
We're in our 2nd year using Singapore Math, and we've never supplemented, really. We do spend some days doing math stuff that Josh finds more fun than just the book work, like extra work on the whiteboard, flashcards and sudoku puzzles (which he loves). I just consider that stuff to be keeping him interested and engaged, not supplementing.
