Switching Homeschool Math Curriculum II Singapore Primary Math to Saxon Math
Вставка
- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- Honestly, I never thought we would switch from Singapore Primary Math, but we are. In this video I discuss why we are making the switch as well as why I chose Saxon Math!
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:19 Reasons for Switching
8:38 Reasons for Saxon Math
Equipment used:
Camera: amzn.to/3uCA4gd
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Small tripod: amzn.to/3wIVSYX
Ring light: amzn.to/3fw7vga
Music: UA-cam Free Library
Adventures in History Book Club:
1) Announcement video: • Historical Fiction Boo...
2) Goodreads group: / adventures-in-history-...
Book of the Month referral link: www.mybotm.com/epnkgazxum8?sh...
Amazon Historical Fiction Wish List: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...
____________________________________________________________________________________
Hi! I’m Angie. I’m a homeschooling mom to 4 amazing kiddos (7, 6, 3, and 3 years old). On this channel I enjoy sharing our homeschooling journey as well as my serious love for all the books! You can expect videos on homeschooling curriculum, schedules, and tips/tricks as well as book reviews, wrap-ups, and book hauls. Excited to have you following along!!
NOTE: Some of the links above may be affiliate links. If you purchase through the link that I have provided, I may receive a small commission. There will not be an additional charge to you, I appreciate your support!
Where to find me!
EMAIL angiesciencemama@gmail.com
GOODREADS / angie
INSTAGRAM / angiesciencemama - Розваги
Hi Angie,
I’m an educator with a masters in early education. I just want to affirm the validity your son’s tricks for solving simple addition and subtraction problems. Understanding that 7+3 is one more than 6+3 is an absolutely fantastic sign that he has internalized a solid number sense which is one of the most important skills long-term in mathematical development. Praise those tricks! They’re a great sign! I work specifically in K-2 special education and so most of my job has to do with personalizing a math curriculum to the strengths and needs of the kiddos I’m working with. I thought I’d offer up a tip that might be helpful. Find an approach to a skill that works best for your son and practice that to mastery. Then add the other pieces (or ways of looking at a problem in). You might even want to try one or two and skip the rest. For example, if using his fingers really works then get him fluent (90%+ success rate) at that approach and then add in a few of the others such as number lines, abacus, and manipulatives. Whatever seems most helpful to him. The biggest pieces for success are conceptual understanding of mathematical principles, number sense, and mathematical vocabulary (this one often gets missed). I hope that helps. It’s a way that you can personalize whatever curriculum you’re using to work for your child.
That is so wonderful to hear, I will start complimenting his tricks more! Thank you for commenting, it was super helpful to hear your expertise!
Hi Angie! Great video, I appreciate it very much! I wasn’t sure about the Singapore Math, but now I am sure it’s not for my child!
Thank you so much for taking your precious time to explain everything so clear! ❤️👍
I really appreciate this video. We are going through addition/subtraction facts that stick right now as we paused dimensions math. Oh homeschooling, so thankful we can switch things up and do what our kiddos need to help them succeed! You’re doing great momma!
Thank you - I have felt so encouraged by everyone's comments today :)
Your intro made me laugh, because I get it! I was also so surprised to see the title of this video, knowing how much you have loved Singapore math! I loved how you pointed out the dichotomy between a math curriculum that the teacher loves and a math curriculum that works for the student, and for the way their brain works.
Haha, I know, I really did love Singapore math 🤣
I found your videos looking for new math for my son, and THIS resonates with me so much! I feel like everything you've said are things we have experienced. Thank you for helping me feel comfortable with my switch to Saxon. You're awesome!!
I did Saxon math as a homeschool child. And let me tell you, I excelled in math.
We are in this same place you just described. My 2 oldest kids are 4th and 5th graders and we have been using Singapore for math this year. They used Singapore at the Christian school they went to two years ago. Then last year I used BJU with them. So this year I wanted to switch them back to Singapore and it has been such a challenge for them, but like you I did not want to switch them from Singapore to something else. Yet after so many frustrating lessons I threw in the towel and just today I switched them to BJU. It just seems so much easier for my children to grasp, the more traditional approach. Thank you for being an encouragement to me this evening and for taking the time to make this video 😊
I love your videos!!! You are so clear and thorough
Ahh, thank you! I really appreciate it!
I feel this! We used Dimensions last year, and I had already purchased it for this year as well... but I also resonate with not being married to a curriculum. My son was also coming up with his own strategies and struggled with the multiple examples they give... I bought Math Mammoth and Beast Academy to try out, but when I was homeschooled as a kid we used Saxon and I remember it being good too! Looking forward to your review on it.
I was thinking about switching my daughter to Math Mammoth - so I would love to hear your thoughts on it!
Your experience with Singapore speaks to mine with my son. The curriculum seemed great from my perspective, but he too has his own way of solving his math problems, like your son. Thank you so much for helping bring this point to my attention ❤
Really enjoyed this video and your honesty! We had a large math struggle last year went through 2 different curricula before the 3rd actually turned out to be "the one". At least for now I suppose.
My daughter also loves the more traditional, straightforward math like your son. She also needs more practice/spiral, so we are now using Christian Light Education.
I'm glad you found the right curriculum - I didn't even think to check CLE!
Hi! I love Saxon!!! Saxon is the curriculum that made me so much more confident in math when I first started using it in middle school. Hope you and your kids like it as much as my mom and I did!
Thank you so much for the encouragement and for sharing your thoughts on Saxon .... so far my son is really doing well and liking it!
I’m so glad I found this. So helpful to hear your thought process. I think my daughter is in the same place with Singapore 1A we’ve finished it except for the subtracting numbers to 20 and a part of me wants to move on to 1B and another part of me wants to jump ship and move to Math with Confidence or Math U See. I also think of numbers the way you do and Singapore teaches. Thank you for this video! My daughter is 6 and my 2 year old will probably get started schooling quicker and I think I will try a different reading program because All a about Reading takes to long lol. 100easy lessons taught my 6 year old daughter well into level 2 but I’m still using AAR for the concepts that weren’t taught in 100 Easy Lessons.
It is so hard to make the decision to switch curriculum but it sounds like you are following what your daughter needs!
I have graduated two children so far, both of whom did fantastic in college math, and I love the Saxon program, but I prefer to start it in 4th or 5th grade. For the early years, I am a big fan of Horizon Math. It is colorful, enjoyable, user friendly, consumable arithmetic that provides a solid foundation for Saxon in the upper Elementary years. Good luck! And congratulations on trusting yourself as Mom and teacher and never hesitate to change curriculum if it isn’t working for you or your children. You and they have too many great choices not to pick the one that is best for both of you. May God bless your journey.
Love hearing that - thank you!!
You described my sons reaction to Singapoe math, exactly! We has the same struggle last year. This year we are doing Saxon too.
Glad to hear I'm not alone!
I had a very similar experience with my daughter in Singapore 1A. So many tears. I LOVED the Singapore method, but was not a good fit for my daughter. We went to the good and the beautiful and it has worked for us.
Thank you for your video!! I started with Saxon since the beginning homeschooling with my son and he is now going into 5th grade (homeschool). He’s doing super well with math. I love how Saxon explains things and how the teacher manual tells you exactly what to say because I am horrible at explaining things. 😂Now the only issue that I have had is when getting to 3rd grade it got tough… Meaning there was TONS of work and I would sit and do math for literally 2 hours with him. Yes he learned a lot and did well but towards the middle of it I was like I can’t handle doing this. So I kind of cut back with the calendar they have you do in the morning and we didn’t do the back of the work sheet because I was also teaching my daughter 1st grade math at that time. But then I felt like he wasn’t getting enough practice. We did get through it by doing that stuff. He did 4th grade this past year and it was better. Just the 3rd grade got to be a little much for us. So now I am going to be teaching my daughter 3rd grade Saxon and I’ve been kind of looking around at different curriculum for her because it was tough getting through it with my son in 3rd. She’s been doing fine with Saxon all along as well but I am worried about how much work it is. 😬 Are you starting or have you started 3rd grade Saxon?
Yeah, I never did the full morning meeting and only did the back if they had problems with the front!
Someone told me their one homeschooling advice was to be willing to use different math programs for different kids. Depending on the programs and number of kids doing different maths, it'd definitely be a juggle but probably worth trying if you're happy with just the two right now! I've chosen SG math for Year 1 bc of it's reputation and because I've lived in Singapore and know they know their math! Buuutttt, the hours and intensity kids in SG devote to studying it is something I have no intention on recreating at home. It also feels to me like its the best (since it's earned that title), but some of that is because of the culture in the country - not just the program imo. So, if it's not the best for you and your kid then its not "the best" anymore.
Thank you for your encouragement ... I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my daughter! I have heard that about the cultural approach to math in Singapore, so different!
I'm with you on trying to decide how many different curricula I can handle between my kids!
I'm trying Ray's Arithmetic this year. Last year we did Singapore Dimensions (skipped the overwhelming teacher's guide). I couldn't get behind all the tools that Singapore uses to teach number sense. It seemed like we spent more time teaching the tools than just talking about numbers. Ray's Arithmetic is from the mid-1800s and it's very straightforward.
Since my kids are also advanced readers, I found that they'd rush off ahead of me on the worksheets, but not read the instructions carefully enough or not quite understand the concept it was trying to convey. Then they'd get upset that we'd have to go back and redo it. With our new curriculum, I sit with them the whole time and I can do it with a group of kids instead of trying to keep each kid from copying the other's worksheet answers.
Also, I might be switching one of my kids away from All About Reading. Like you said, it's a great program, but not always the best fit. My middlest son hardcore resists the readers. I think the pictures are too distracting and the stories are too much all at once. I'm taking a step back and focusing more on phonograms and reading individual words since he doesn't mind the flashcards.
It is so hard to juggle it all - but it sounds like you are doing a great job tailoring it to each of your kids!! I’m thinking of doing Saxon with both of my kids but potentially bringing in some Math Mammoth with my daughter because I think she would like how it is taught 🤷🏼♀️
I switched from Singapore to teaching textbooks this year so far my son loves it and it has helped my sanity lol as hope Saxon works for your son and you!
I'm glad Teaching textbooks is working for your son ... I'm still keeping it in mind for the future!
Math is such a big subject and I feel when they are little we are still figuring out their learning style. I feel like switching curriculum during these little years is normal as we learn the correct style they thrive best in. It's a joy/stressful part of homeschooling🤣 Good luck and hope this works for you. As always love hearing your opinion on things 😊
Thank you so much for the encouragement! If I remember right, your daughter took a break from Singapore for a while right? What curriculum did you try and how did it work?
We use Saxon and I have used grade 1 all the way through Algebra 2 now. Saxon is a solid program and I've found it's still flexible enough that we've been able to tailor it for each child (4 so far). I have reviews of it and samples of the material as well as the completed material on my channel.
Wonderful! Thank you for commenting, I will go check out those videos 😊
We are only in our 2nd year of homeschooling but one of my friends gave me the best advice when we started…don’t be afraid to switch if it’s not working (but don’t jump ship too soon either lol.) I switched a couple things last year for each of my kids.
This year I have 2 doing Singapore (Dimensions 6 and 1) and 1 doing right start math. I have twins so it actually is “easier” for me to do 2 different ones for them because they aren’t comparing themselves to each other. But We are also only a few weeks in…I may not be saying this in December 😂
I have contemplated doing Saxon for one of my kiddos so I can’t wait to hear a review!
I will keep you posted! Haha, I can see that with twins ... I'm glad I'm a couple years out from that with my twins!
Thanks for sharing! I did Saxon Math 1 with a Kindergartener last year. He did well with it. Many homeschoolers believe Saxon is overall almost a whole level behind (I see it more like half a level). You may want to consider using Saxon Math 2 for both your daughter and son since you say your daughter is strong in Math. You would only need to get the workbooks for her. Just a thought!
That you for that!! That was a very helpful thought! I picked up Math 1 for my daughter but we are doing about 2 lessons a day and skipping some! Haha, I tried to do that with my son, but nope we are sticking to one lesson 🤣
We switched back to Saxon because we were both overwhelmed with Singapore and now going back to Saxon it’s just flowing and working so much better! I just want to memorize math and I think my daughter does too. We are not number rearranging people.
YES! Sometimes it is just better to memorize :)
My oldest and I are half way through Kindergarten. He just turned 6. One of my biggest fears as a parent (and specifically, a homeschooling parent) is that I might try and push my children forward before they have built a solid foundation. My husband is a public high school English teacher and he sees high schoolers (!) that are at a 2nd or 3rd grade reading level. It's no secret to anyone, it's been the trend to stop retaining students. These poor kids are going to be adults soon and have been pushed ahead by administrators and have such low-level reading and *comprehension* levels! I have decided that I'm going to extend kindergarten another year, and extend the Sonlight Heros & Happenings volume 2 for next year, create another reading list, and keep plugging away at foundational skills in math and phonics. God bless you and your devotion to your children - homeschooling is indeed a humbling experience!
This is how I felt about Right Start. I loved the abacus and I thought it was interesting the different ways to do things, but my daughter quickly grew to hate it and was crying everyday. It was just A Lot and she got so lost in all the ways that was supposed to make the algorithm organically appear to the child. We ended up going back to Mathusee and it was sort of night and day. I still think we may suppliment with some of Singapore's word problem books or other things, but mathusee is a good spine and she is doing really well with it
That sounds like a really good plan - that is pretty much how I am feeling as well! I just wanted a solid core program and then if I want to supplement I can but I don’t have to!
We switched out ALL of our curriculum choices 3 weeks into our school year and WOW, is it going so much better. It’s hard to switch during the year but it’s so worth it!
That is wonderful to hear! I feel like it is so hard to do something like that but it’s important to trust your instincts!!
Adult understanding of math is diff than as a child. I’m guessing that’s why I like Singapore and I relate to how it works, but I’m not sure about it for my kids. I hear you when you say the mental understanding of math. I think that we have to kinda know the answer before we can understand the process, if that makes sense. My child hated the manipulatives, and I still kept them around but I didn’t drill it constantly. I totally relate to your situation. We used Apologia last year, killed my kids joy for math. It is mastery, which I wasn’t fully aware of when I chose it. I love the idea of showing how we take from ten, and the visuals were good for understanding, but again, I think that makes more sense as we progress and understand deeper then we can get how it relates back to the concrete concept.
We used Singapore us edition on and off through 5th grade then switched to Math Mammoth. We have used MUS and other programs as well. Now my kids are old enough to know when they get something they way it’s taught and just ignore the other methods or ways todo a certain procedure. Saxon has appeal for its simplicity and structure. It’s widely available and there’s a lot of teachers or online versions of classes that use that text. For the older grades that’s a super big plus!
Exactly! All those reason were why I ended up choosing Saxon - I just wanted something tried and true!!
I needed this video! You have described my situation to a tee. Your journey with your son is pretty much identical to mine- all the same issues with adding/subtraction and a multitude of techniques that seem to be leaving him more confused every day. My oldest is struggling so bad with our math program and I'm struggling to let it go because I thought it was the best. But it's not working at all for him and I'm planning to switch to Saxon next year as we're almost done with this grade level. But like you said I'm debating what to do with my younger son because he's more math minded and is doing fine with it so do I switch him too? I don't like the idea of having to do 2 totally different math programs. I would like the continuity of using the same system. I'm really on the fence. I know this is an older video so I'm curious how the switch has been? Is it working for your son? Did you switch your daughter too? -Sarah
Sorry for the long comment, but I wanted to share my quest for math curriculum because I can totally relate. My son is in Saxon 8/7 and and my daughter in Rightstart B. He started with Teaching Textbooks Gr3 and while he could answer the questions and tested great, I didn't realize how little he was retaining. So then I switched to Rightstart D for 4th grade. He learned his multiplication facts and was doing well, but he hated playing games with me. We would spend hours on a lesson. He just wanted the worksheet or to show me that he knew the math. Now Rightstart has videos helping to teach each level, so I feel better adjusting the lesson. But when my son was younger, I didn't realize how to tailor his learning. The book says, therefore I must... I have since gotten over that. So then we started Saxon 5/4. He has flown through this program. We placement tested him and he was able to skip Saxon 6/5, so that's been a success. But I have adjusted lessons in Saxon to suit him. I started Saxon K with my daughter last year, and we got 3/4 through it before I realized how miserable it was making her. So then I started Mathematical Reasoning with her. It filled the void until we took a break. She still struggles recognizing numbers, and since I have the materials, I have started her with Rightstart. So far so good, but the year is young. It isn't my favorite way to teach but it seems to be resonating with her. All this to say, I totally relate. And I do teach two different curriculum, so it is possible. My kids are so far apart though. I obviously am not teaching similar concepts in two different ways on any given day.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey and for your encouragement. I still don't know what to do with my daughter ... all my kids are so close in age, it can be so challenging!
We are switching Math this year and both my kids will be doing different programs, though I don't have to teach either of them thankfully because of videos! (Only help and guide when there is trouble). We did Beast Academy this past year and while it's a great program, it was leaving my son in tears and frustration, just from getting overwhelmed and not from not understanding it. My daughter was doing okay, but she would need help almost every lesson, and it felt like she was learning it long enough to pass the chapter and then wouldn't remember how to do it the next time it came up. So my daughter is moving to Dimensions, which I think will be a great fit, but we'll have to see. I wanted to move my son to Dimensions as well, however, we are deciding to give the good and the beautiful a try. I think i will help him get over the frustration, because he's fascinated by all the extra tidbits (other subjects) they include when teaching it. He's almost excited about it ;)
Thank you for sharing your journey as well as for your encouragement - every kid is so different!
Hoo hoo !! You are so awesome clever move. We are doing math u see and when it comes to do a sheet he says bleugh and its pushed on the side. What are your thoughts on new Good and beautiful math program?
I looked at it online and I liked it but I felt that Saxon just seemed more straight-forward and my son just seemed to need really straight-forward. But it does look beautiful :)
I was just piecing together my Saxon manipulatives kit and was hoping for your opinion on something. Do you think I can substitute the balance bucket for the number balance? Thanks! I love your channel btw!
I'm honestly not sure, sorry!
Finding the right math curricula for each child is so hard!
Preach it!
Have you looked at Zearn? (and Eureka Math, which is the same curriculum)?
No, I've heard it is similar to Singapore, is that correct?
Saxon is solid! It’s not the most “fun” but it’s a great curriculum. My boys don’t love it but they understand it and can read the lessons independently and complete the problems without much help from me. Last year I made them to every single problem. This year I’m letting them do every other problem as long as they aren’t getting many daily incorrect answers and do well on their tests. I hope it works out for you guys long term!
Thank you so much for the encouragement - haha, I'm at the point where I don't care too much if it is fun and pretty, I just need something to work :) So thank you for sharing your experience!
This video came at the right time for me. I've just switched my nearly 7yr old from Maths - No Problem (the British version of Singapore Maths) to TG&TB because Singapore style was having him burst into tears almost every lesson last year.
I feel like different things must suit different kids and that's a pro to home education - you can choose curricular that genuinely suit your child.
But I was apprehensive to make the switch (for the same reasons you gave) so its reassuring to see another Mum doing the same 💗
I also don't know what we are gonna do with our nearly 5yr old now. Maths seems to come very easily to him but thankfully I have a year to figure it out befire I'm going to start doing maths lessons with him. Please keep us all updated on how Saxon goes. I hope it is a better fit for your son 🙏 🙂
Thank you for the encouragement - It can be so hard to decide, but I'm so thankful I can switch things up for him :)
Um yeah - I've made peace with the fact that we're going to cycle around through different math methods. And that makes sense because kids in public schools get a variety of teachers and tutors throughout their school career. That variety is good, I think.
My new mantra is: never not reading and never not mathing.
Love that mantra - I seem to be leaning more that way every day!!
I had the same issue with Zearn which is a similar technique to Singapore. A math that was supposed to be conceptual was making my daughter bogged down in all the different techniques so that it was very procedural. She would look at a simple arithmetic problem and instead of just doing it she would be trying to figure out…okay am I supposed to to make ten here?
That sounds exactly like my son!
I think you are making the right choice. The only struggle that I have right now with saxon math is that it is so expensive, while Singapore math used books are everywhere. I would love to hear your opinion on where you purchased your copy of Saxon math.
There is a BST group on Facebook for Saxon curriculum- I always check there at least for the teachers guide!
I found I was struggling finding the right words to use to explain the Singapore method of moving numbers around. Which is what I do in my own head but I don't think I learned it that way as a young student. Like I only started that once math was more solid. Im using the new TGATB now which is so nice and open and go but I'm finding we need to pause and practice more then what the book says. They recommend subtracting by just counting up from the small number to the large number. Their scripting was pretty sparse so I had to find the right way to explain it. Im hoping we stick with it the entire year. My classical moms love Saxon so I'm hoping it's a great fit for your son!
Thanks for sharing - I think you are right, some of the ability to move numbers around in your head probably doesn’t really develop until later. I seriously looked at TGTB, but I just wanted something try and true 🤣. I hope it works well for you!
Hi, I have a first grader and we did Singapore for kinder and are continuing it this year as well, but I was curious to see how my son would respond if I presented him with 3 different programs: Singapore 1, Masterbooks level 2, and Apologia Level 1. We are only a week into all of them, and he is mathematically inclined, but I’ve noticed that he responds more in a sense to particular lessons rather than the curriculum in general. For example, if all three are kinesthetic or offer games, he might like them all equally. So far, I found the prep work for having different math curriculums the most tedious, but other than that, it’s been no big deal to try to juggle them once organized. Especially since you say you are mathematically inclined yourself and you understand Singapore. I would not hesitate to try it at least.:)
I love this, keep me updated on how he does … I’m always curious about combining programs!
Hi, is Saxon Math still working well for your children? Also, I read in The Well Trained Mind that it is more "procedural" than "conceptual". This worries me...I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! We started Saxon Math 1 at the end of kindergarten last year with plans to continue (we LOVED it), but now I'm second guessing.
Haha, yes I remember reading that in the WTM! Saxon is working really well for us!
We’re dealing with the same thing! We’re using Math Mammoth for 1st grade but it’s been a struggle so we switched to ST math (its free until June 2022. I’ve heard it normally costs about $100/child and meets standard core requirements). So far my kids really like it. I’m still considering switching to math with confidence for 1st grade or Saxon math (It seems like it would be a good fit). We use math with confidence for kindergarten and we really like it. We’ll see how ST math works out for 1st grade. How has Saxon math been going now?
I have been LOVING Saxon Math! It was just what my kids needed :)
That’s so awesome to hear! I looked at a sample of the program and it looks good. I’ll be ordering it soon and hoping it works well for us too! 😄
Hi, I'm thinking of getting saxon for my kinder and 2nd grader but I'm wondering how you are liking saxon so far? Would you recommend it for kiddos that struggle with math?
It depends on what they are struggling with! It had been great for my son, all the review has really helped him solidify the math facts!
Saxon is extremely repetitive and introduces things slowly, practicing them over and over. We did the first half of grade 1 for kindergarten last year and my son seemed to grasp the concepts quickly, sometimes to the point of being bored. It might be worth a try. It definitely has a very even pace and it builds incrementally on what you learn.
I have one delayed kiddo and one advanced so I juggle two math curriculums that fit them, individually. My daughter is doing Math U See and my son, Right Start. So different! It works fine for us. I just don’t love either of them. 🙈
Did you like and continue with Saxon? I ask bc my child sounds similar to yours and also has flourished with All about reading! We’ve done ABeka math with success, I wanted to slow it down and chose Apologia for grade 2 - and that wasn’t great. So I’m now searching for what will work for them. They are good at math and usually enjoy it but don’t have a lot of patience for long lessons. They do enjoy doing problems, when they understand the concept. thanks so much!
We LOVE Saxon, it has been perfect for my son!
I was homeschooled all through grade school, and my mom always went with Saxon math. And I always ended up ahead in math above all my peers.
We also recently had a big math switch. We were using Rightstart. I LOVE rightstart, and my son was getting amazing numbers sense. Then all of a sudden he hated doing the program, and was starting to hate math. It hurt my heart to put the program aside, but we really want our son to love math. So we switched curriculum. Basically, he wanted pretty pictures and a more fun math lol!
Haha, I completely understand what you mean ... I loved the curriculum more than my son, which was fine until he started to hate it, then we needed to switch! Thanks for sharing :)
May I know what curriculum did you switch to from RightStart Math?
@@heenashaikh5076 We switched to Singapore Dimensions. We have gone through 1A, 1B, 2A, and are now in 2B, and my son loves it.
Does Saxon do games and use manipulative alike right start and Singapore?
It does use manipulatives - but not to the extent of Right Start, probably more similar to Singapore!
If he did well w/ Addition & Facts that stick did you consider Kate Snow’s Math w/ Confidence? She does only have up to First Grade but Second Grade is coming out this spring. We switched from Saxon to Math w/Confidence and love it for first grade. Hope Saxon is working for him.
I was thinking about Math with Confidence!
@@sciencemama It’s wonderful. Thorough and very clear teaching instructions. Teaches similar to Addition/Subtraction Facts that Stick- lots of math games. The workbook is colorful and simple. Each lesson they do 1 page: front- enforces new concept learned in the lesson you did and the back which is a review of previous material. My first grader can do the workbook on his own which is huge that I don’t have to sit right there. Saxon he got burned out so quickly on the workbook and homework pages. Handwriting still is a lot of work for him so he’d get tired out from writing so we often ended up orally doing problems and me writing and he’d complain the entire time. Each chapter has 4 lessons and then an optional enrichment day. Each enrichment day has a fun math book suggestion to read together which reinforces concept learned. We often only get to 3 lessons a week and the way it’s laid out works beautifully and you don’t feel urgency that you’re behind if you don’t keep up a 5 day math week. Highly recommend!
We are trying out Math With Confidence. I like some things about it, but it is too early to say whether it is working or not. We also have been using Life of Fred, and my son loves Fred, but it is a bit too advanced for hi.
A lot of people have recommended Math with Confidence!
I realize this video is a month old, but have you considered Math With Confidence? It's the same author of addition facts that stick. Maybe that would be a good fit if you get stuck with Saxon at some point.
So many people recommended Math with Confidence :)
I'm also switching math again for my oldest just 1.5 months in. Empathy! Do keep Kate Snow's program (Math with Confidence) on your radar for other kids. It's been amazing for my 1st grader.
People keep recommending that program to me - I will have to check it out :)
I did Kindergarten Math with Confidence last year and it was very teacher friendly, open and go, and seemed "easy" for my son at times and I almost thought it was too light... But now we're giving Singapore Primary a try this year and it seems like Kate Snow's Kindergarten Math with Confidence taught very similar as far as the mental math and similar approach that way and prepared him well for Singapore.
But I am a bit nervous about Singapore in the intensity and some of the things you mentioned, so I am keeping Kate Snow's 1st grade curriculum on my radar as well, in case we need to jump ship from Singapore, I think I could easily pick that up and try that again.
Thanks for your honesty!
I have similar age kids, so am still new to this and hearing your take on things really makes me feel more confident if I need to switch curriculums.. as one book I read about homeschooling said, "we shouldn't be slaves to our curriculum. The curriculums should work for us, not the other way around."
We love math with confidence for kindergarten! We’re having a hard time with math mammoth for 1st grade so we switched to ST math since it’s free right now. I’m going to look into math with confidence for 1st grade. How has it been working out for you now?
@@cm6037 Really good! We have had to double up lessons because it's pretty slow for my kiddo. I decided to go ahead and finish 1st grade Math with Confidence and then play with the new 1A Beast Academy until 2nd grade comes out. I don't hesitate to recommend it-- I love the brief lessons, the hands on, the consistent but not burdensome review-- but if you are seeing "it's too easy!" when looking at reviews, it is pretty slow. I love Math Mammoth for straight forward, clear instructions that build skills in such a logical order, but MwC helps my kiddo understand better (e.g. clapping 10 times is a better way to appreciate 10, I think), is shorter, is more fun, and is also super logical. I feel like MwC is the best mix of Right Start with the games and Math Mammoth with the logical, building of skills, and I don't mind that we aren't in a rush to learn all the things immediately.
It would help understand the difference between the two methods if you gave a lesson/ book example comparing both programs side by side. For example, if your son was struggling with subtraction provide a lesson of how Saxon teaches this subject vs. Singapore’s teaching method. My daughter is currently using Singapore Dimensions KA and it would be helpful to see another program in case she struggles learning their method. Thank you!
Sure, I can add that video idea to my list :)
@@sciencemama
Thank you. It sounds like Singapore might have a few steps a child has to take to master their subtraction method so I worry that she might not enjoy this. It would be helpful to see Saxon’s subtraction method and if your little one found it more helpful.
This is our struggle now with Dimensions 3A and multiplication. I also love singapore math but agree with the need (and priviledge) as homeschoolers to find the best curriculum for the child. ❤ Best of luck!
Thank you for the encouragement!
I feel like I’ve tried every single curriculum out there, for every subject- now going on my seventh year homeschooling. I have three kids- 13, 11 & 10 and they all do Saxon and we like it. I put my 10 yr old in the same book as the 11 yr old since he is advanced in math. Always adjusting and tweaking, but this is probably my first “definite” so far, that we will be sticking with Saxon through high school- it’s working that well for us. Possibly adding Nicole the Math lady for more video instruction (I didn’t find the cdrom super helpful) later this year. They are just finishing up the last of the lessons they had left before starting their new books. We are year round homeschoolers and full time travel family 🙃 Enjoy this journey!! You are doing a great job, momma!
Thank you for the encouragement and sharing your experience with Saxon - so far it is going SO MUCH better!!
This is what is so great about homeschooling. You can change things around as needed. You know in schools they force them all to learn the same way and that's why some kids struggle.
Exactly!
This video really helped my heart. We are homeschooling for the first time this year. I have really agonized over our math choice. Is it thorough...should I have went with mastery vs spiral? It's good hear that we can change if it truly isn't working!
My girlfriend has 4 kiddos (7-13 yrs) and they use Saxon and love it! She said the first few years they did abeka with each kid and switched to Saxon. But she recommended it to me wholeheartedly!
My sister loves Saxon too - so I'm really hopeful it will be a good fit! Good luck finding the right curriculum :)
We had the same experience with Singapore US last year. We stuck through it for the year, but I knew we couldn't continue. My daughter just didn't understand their methods. We switched to Math Mammoth for this year and it's been going so well so far! I love they incorporate online games and have UA-cam videos that go with lessons. I'm hoping this works for her. My son is more math inclined so we are going to attempt Singapore (since we already have the books) but I won't wait to switch if I can see it's not working this time. You have to do what's best for your kiddos!
Thank you so much for the encouragement!
I just found your math video. Did Saxon work for you and your child?
YES! It has been such an amazing switch ... just purchased the next levels for next year!
We started with Math U See but my kids as they advanced forgot math facts because they weren't reviewed enough. After a year of subtraction they couldn't add! Ugh! We switched to Saxon Math and are living it for Saxon Math 1 and up. For us Saxon I did teach general math concepts but my youngest already had these mastered and I think was a little to easy for her. They all are thriving with Saxon. I wouldn't cut too much as it the problems, because all the repetition solidifies in their little brains. I hope this helps.
Loving it not living
My three kids have used up to Saxon 8/7. Youngest 1, middle 5/4 and oldest 8/7.
The beauty is to Taylor to each child and how they think/learn. Sometimes there is a lot of trial and error.
Thanks for the advice on not cutting too many problems - I can already see the repetition paying off with my son! Thanks for the encouragement!
We do Singapore and beast for my 6yo and toggle between Saxon and Singapore and beast for my 8yo(all at different times) no two math programs in one day but we do vary it because we aren’t trying to push ahead I. Math more for depth of understanding.
I love this approach - I'm tempted to do something similar! After using Saxon, what program do you think would supplement it well?
@@sciencemama I think it depends…. A lot of people supplement with math mammoth bc it’s slightly more conceptual and provides more problems for mastery. We have done that but are doing dimensions and Saxon now since dimensions is also very conceptual and she already finished mammoth 4 so we are just using what she hasn’t finished but I already have.
What edition did u go for? X
I think it is Edition 3 because I read somewhere that the Saxon Edition 4 had more common core techniques - so most people recommend the Edition 3!
Yes, I’d read that too, we are currently using 2nd edition, hope it works really well for you and us :) x
For me, it's honestly the complete opposite. My son seems to be really drawn to singapore math but due to having another baby around and doing 4 other subjects, it was too much for me. At this age, I want to focus a lot more on reading as well. I just delivered math with confidence grade K because he's in K since it seems similar to the program but with a lot less "do this, then this, and then this" I have a feeling I'll go back to singapore once the kids are a little older though.
We’ve just done the same :)
Glad to hear I am not alone :)
I have 4 kids, and they all use different math curriculum!
That is amazing!
We did Saxon 2 and she tested low. So I did Good and the Beautiful Math 2 and then second time around she got it. Now we are back on Saxon 3. It’s too easy Book A coming from GATBM2, I totally could have trusted the process and just stayed with Saxon.
I've been tempted to switch but my kids just make steady progress with Saxon, so I'm sticking with it!!
We always go wiv a curriculum that works for our kids!!! We use a curriculum that also teaches logic. I don’t like the way Singapore math teaches math it don’t make sense to me and I know it wouldn’t help my kids. We made big changes in math this year after last year. We use TGTB simply math!!! TGTB has tons of practice spired in!!! Sorry I can’t spell!!!
I've heard great things about TGTB Simply Math! No worries about the spelling, I'm not a great speller either :)
I was just late night scrolling while nursing my youngest and happen to come across your channel. Some background:
My eldest is going to be 7 this year and we started Singapore math because like you, I also am math inclined and move numbers around in my head. I love Singapore math but my daughter, God bless her, she just wants to make Mama happy but she is just not getting it. She's good at memorizing facts but she just couldn't mental math like I can. It hurts to say I was pushing it and struggling to get her to *think* when it was clear she was just guessing and worse yet, guessing because she thought that's what I wanted to hear. (Sigh)
I think I need to switch programs like you have, and go with something else for her. At least until maybe she mentally is ready for mental math manipulation. It sucks because I was so sure Singapore was the one for us, that I went ahead and got up to level 5 of textbooks/teaching books. Thankfully they were cheap as they were used books, but still, now I'm loaded with books I may not even use!!
Thank you for giving "permission" to let go and switch up curriculum. I know that homeschool gives that option, but I was mentally stuck thinking that switching meant failure.
I may still use Singapore later with my eldest to gauge where she's at or even with my middle child, as she seems to be more math inclined like I am.
One thing's for sure, and that is homeschooling is so humbling. I already had to come to terms with the fact that while I was an early reader at 2 years old, it took my eldest until almost 6 to read on her own. Now she willingly chooses to sit and read! ❤
Thank you again for the reminder that I chose homeschooling for the ability to pick and choose what works for my kids. Even if it means using methods that I personally don't like but my child actually thrives with. Thank you!
I'm so glad the video was helpful - yes, homeschool is very humbling :)
I don’t understand. You talk numbers and my brain shuts off lol 😂
Haha, that seems to be sons problem as well 🤣