I'm wondering if you guys can help me think this through, and maybe make some suggestions? We use Spectrum workbooks for math, heavily supplimented with printables from the 'net for more practice. My kids have been doing really well. What *I* don't like is that there isn't practice of prev. concepts built in, so I have to dig something up and make speed drills or.. idk. Something else. It isn't a huge issue, but I don't feel like they've cemented addition facts through practice as well as I'd like (again, they both do fine, but I want automaticity). Ds hitting a wall with his math was... a symptom I think. In ps last year they used Investigations, which is either spirally or very surface LOL depending on how you look at it. I hate the program, but I know ds liked the mix of problems on each page. I don't think his issue is that he can't get the subtraction concept (it was carrying with 0's) but that he's just plain bored with subtraction. I'd really love a program that either a.) combines mastery with review problems; or b.) does spirally review and can be added to our current workbooks. The problems: I hate new-type math. I much prefer making sure my kids thoroughly understand the whys and then know the standard algorithms to make the process happen. I won't rant about this (again ) but I'm totally set here, no way I'll change my mind. That leaves out Asian maths (I think) as well. I had glanced at the free one online.. MEP? I think. I seems interesting, but I was a bit confused. Otherwise, I'm contemplating saxon but reviews seem all over the place, and the index I looked last year seemed scattered and unorganized (way too spiral for me). Anyone have ideas, stories, similar situations and solutions to share? We aren't at a standstill here, there's not a huge rush to change (I'm starting ds in multi this week, and we'll come back to sub. after a bit), but I'm thinking longer term I might need to change something.
What about Math-U-See. It is very strong on mastery and also has review. It also is very good at making sure you have the concept down before moving forward. I also like Rod and Staff and Christian Light math. The Christian Light seems to be quite a bit more spiral, but have friends who use it and their kiddos do great with it. We like the Rod and Staff because it is also very mastery minded. I use a bit of Rod and Staff with our Math-U-See and my DS's are doing quite well with them. Math U See has free drill pages on their website that are very useful as well as an online drill that may be added to your current curriculum.
I have used Singapore (Asian math). Maybe I'm not sure I understand the conflict because it focuses on conceptual understanding prior to using the standard algorithm. It doesn't use the standard algorithm for mental math. Is that what you are talking about? CSMP is another free option. I haven't used it though.
I haven't used Singapore, so my thought was based on my .. idea of what singapore is and the vids I've seen of singapore in action. I really shouldn't have lumped it in with new math methods. Apologies. I'm not comfortable teaching the bar graph for computation, and my (again, non-expert) understanding was this method is pretty fundamental to the program. If not, please let me know! It was one of my top 2 contenders for math when I first started out with dd. To clarify my first post: I feel (just me, only me) that a simple explanation on a math concept is fine for understanding the whys, and then my children can practice the hows (algorithms). Hope that was less confusing the second time... :shock: Will definitely check out CLE and Math U See- and Singapore if it sounds like a better fit than I had originally thought. Thanks!
Yes, it does teach bar graphs - not as a replacement for algorithms though. They are more like a way to figure out what algorithms to use. They are introduced around the 3rd grade level. I don't know what new math is Is it Asian math?
If I don't use bar graphs (or teach them) will it defeat the entire purpose of the program? New math- new new math, fuzzy math LOL. discovery-based math programs. They did work for ds (although left giant gaps). Totally flopped for my step-by-step dd though (who's "strategy" was guessing :roll
I think your child would have a difficult time answering some questions without a bar graph so I do think they are necessary. I had to draw one the other day to figure out one of the challenging problems in the intensive practice workbook Discovery-based math is quite different from Asian math - at least what I have seen.
We use Saxon and it works quite well for my two 3rd grade boys. There is plenty of review, and new concepts are taught and then retaught, and reviewed on. We find it to be perfect for them, it is also very heavy on memorizing math facts, which I love!
I really like Horizons for grades 1-3 and then Saxon for 4 and up. I think both of them do a great job at recurring practice along with reinforcing the new material.
CLE! CLE! : ) I love it. For us it has just enough new stuff to keep it from being boring, but lots of review to make sure they get it. We tried MUS but it was to much of the same thing for my ds. Sheet after sheet of addition facts about drove both of us crazy. The CLE hits a subject then reviews it for a while, but is also introducing new stuff as we move along. Like you will learn to count by 5's then practice that for a while, then count by 5's on a time line, then learn to count by 5's on the clock practice that for a while. So you learn a skill then apply it other areas to reinforce and use it. It is set up so you learn a new task first, then do review work for the rest of the lesson. The new work is then reviewed in the next lesson. It is bite sized pieces of new information, each day. They have speed drills, flash cards, and skip counting in the lesson everyday at least through 2nd grade, and I think through 3rd as well learning multiplication and division. (ds will finish 2nd in a month) They are trying for automatic recall of the math facts. They say that before you move out of the 201 book the child should have certain math facts memorized. CLE has been a wonderful thing for us. Because it is so easy to use, just open and go. And the kids are learning so quickly and pretty painlessly as well.
