which Singapore Maths books?

[cheery]

It looks like there is more than one series by the name of Singapore Maths.   Can you tell me which one you are using - I hear rave reviews of the books, but I have never seen one in person to understand what their appeal is.  Before ordering, I want to make sure I am getting the right one.
 

See the difference in these book covers:

http://www.flipkart.com/books/0768239923

published by Frank Schaffer Publications

http://www.amazon.com/Primary-Mathematics-2A-Workbook-U-S/dp/9810185006 - published by Marshall Cavendish, Singaporemath.com

So I have even added a poll - in case you have seen both of them and can tell me what the difference is, if any, that would be great!

thanks!

[moominmamma]

The Frank Schaffer books are a recent publication by a US educational publisher. I've seen links to them posted here, particularly by people from outside North America asking for direction like you are, but I've never heard of anyone using them. They're described as "perfect for students familiar with Singapore Math and those who just need extra math practice," so I'm wondering if they're designed as supplements appealing to people who have heard good things about the actual Singapore Math ™ program.

If you go to www.singaporemath.com you can go into the section for Shop > Mathematics > G1-6 > Primary Mathematics US Edition you'll be able to see page scans of all the books at the various levels in the program most people are referring to when they speak generically about Singapore Math. (They may also be using the older 3rd Edition, or the California Standards edition. They're all essentially minor variations on the same tried-and-true program.) 

Seeing page scans might give you a better feel for the program. To me, though, the magic of it is in the subtle things like the way the wording is never formulaic in the word problems and requires understanding, and the way mental math skills are explicitly taught, and the way place value skills are stretched and reworked at each level in multiple modes.

Hope that helps!

Miranda

[cheery]

Thanks for that clarification.  It was getting confusing.  Looks like I will have to order from overseas then.

Would you recommend getting the textbooks?    I have no problem explaining math concepts.  So I was planning to get only the workbooks.   I couldn't find the place to view page scans of the text books on that site, maybe I have to keep looking.  Would like to hear your thoughts as well. 

[Red Pajama]

What is the difference between the "standard" vs "US" editions? I'm assuming it's metrics vs English measurements, but I'm not certain.

[AAK]

Originally Posted by cheery 

Thanks for that clarification.  It was getting confusing.  Looks like I will have to order from overseas then.

Would you recommend getting the textbooks?    I have no problem explaining math concepts.  So I was planning to get only the workbooks.   I couldn't find the place to view page scans of the text books on that site, maybe I have to keep looking.  Would like to hear your thoughts as well. 

http://www.singaporemath.com/Primary_Math_Textbook_1A_U_S_EDITION_p/pmust1a.htm

This link gets you right to the content samples (but I didn't know which level to link you to).  They have the samples for each book.  So you have to click on that book and then to the tab that says "Contents_Samples."  For the textbooks, you need to scroll down.  

While I do buy the textbooks, I don't think you need them.  You could go with just the workbook.  The workbooks kind of "lead" you as well.  However, if you get to where you don't understand where they are coming from, you might pick up one textbook so you can see how the lessons go.  We have used the textbook fairly often in levels 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B -- not daily, but I appreciate having them.  

Originally Posted by Red Pajama 

What is the difference between the "standard" vs "US" editions? I'm assuming it's metrics vs English measurements, but I'm not certain.

I quoted the website below about each of the versions.  I also know that if you look (on the website) at the contents tab of the US edition, there are topics in red that are not covered in the Standards version.  I don't know if that means that it is just covered at another time.  I find it odd that the US edition seems advanced by their description (suitable for grades 1-7) and yet doesn't include work on negative numbers.  We do use the US edition at our home.  I do know that my children work with both metric and American measurement systems, as well as American money.  

Quotes

The books include added units on probability and data analysis primarily, as well as negative numbers and coordinate graphs, concepts not covered normally until secondary levels in Singapore and not covered in the Primary Mathematic U.S. Edition.

Primary Mathematics Standards Edition 1A-5B is ideal for both classroom and home use for 1st - 5th grades.

And for some reason they say this:

Our recommendation:   Primary Mathematics Standards Edition 1A-5B workbooks are meant to accompany the Primary Mathematics Standards Edition 1A-5B textbooks and contain exercises for the student to do independently. The exercises allow students to practice and apply concepts learned in the lessons. They should be used with the textbooks and are not recommended for use by themselves.

But they don't state "should be used with the textbooks" for the US edition.

Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition 1A-6B is ideal for both classroom and home use for 1st - 7th grades. 1A is suitable for 1st-2nd grades.