I like to think I'm a fairly intelligent person, but my son's math makes me wonder. Jake and Nate have been using Singapore Math for the past 3 years. Jacob liked it so much that, as he entered 7th grade, he asked to keep using it, but the program changed. Instead of two thin books, he now uses one very thick book. He is doing algebra and geometry. Today he has been trying to calculate angles of triangles given the least amount of information the book could possibly give. He has had trouble understanding it. So, I came to the rescue... I mean, I scanned the page of the book and sent it to John at work so he could rescue both Jacob and me. As I wrestled with it myself, I started to get a headache. I am now exhausted, and I still have to explain it to Jacob.
I just said to my mom on the phone this morning, "We plan to homeschool the whole way through 12th grade. John can do science and math, and I've got the rest." I didn't think that would start in 7th grade. I'll be looking for math curriculum for next year that explains things a little bit better in the text so that we can both understand it, and I can look a little smarter. :-)
We're big fans of Singapore Math! We used the 4th to 6th grade books, then the first two volumes of NEM.
ReplyDeleteWe are now switching to Saxon (because we're starting with an online school that doesn't support Singapore Math), and the difference in the sequences is giving me a headache.
Saxon does have more explanation (to the point of being excessive, IMHO). You can see sample pages here: http://saxonhomeschool.hmhco.com/en/resources/result.htm?title=Sample
Note that Saxon just added a Geometry course to their sequence. Until now they included geometry in Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. Now there's a separate Geometry course, and brand-new editions of both algebra levels. My guess is that they've divided two years of math into three, but I don't know for sure.
My kids did enjoy the years of Singapore before Elementary Math. I have a friend who is going to let me use her Algebra 2 Teaching Textbooks. I may check into Saxon for the younger two. I'm not sure yet what I'll do for them. Thanks for the info.
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