Singapore Math

[Attila the Honey]

What do I need to get? I am so confused, first about the differences between the two series and then between the home instructors guide and the textbook.  Do I need both of those?

Edited by Attila the Honey - 1/7/12 at 10:50am

[Red Pajama]

I just started using Singapore just this year, for first grade, with my twins. We started with 1B. I bought two workbooks and one textbook. Didn't realize that the textbook was also for writing in, so we use the textbook to introduce ideas (but not write) and then do the practice in the workbooks.

The standards edition meets the requirements of california state standards, and has a slightly different order of topics presented, as I understand.

I think the home instructor's guide is more of a teacher's book. The textbook is for the child. However, I've yet to encounter anything I didn't understand and wished for the home educator's guide. That may change as we move up.

[onatightrope]

I think that it depends on how comfortable you are explaining math concepts.  I don't buy the teachers guides because I don't feel I need them, but math is one of my stronger subjects.  

You could order the text and workbook, and then look through them yourself and see if you need the support of a teachers guide or not.

[IncompetentHousewife]

We have used Singapore Earlybirth Math 2A and 2B, plus Primary Math through 3A.

For Primary Mathematics, you need one textbook per family (it's not to write in, only to teach from) and one workbook per child. I would not recommend buying the extra practice or word problem workbooks until you use it awhile and determine if you need more practice.

The home instructor's guide is very nice as it gives some simple game ideas and extra practice, as well as step by step instructions to explain each type of problem, but I found it is unnecessary for the younger grades for our family. I bought it once, but actually ended up abandoning it as we just didn't need it. The textbook was self-explanatory and even when approaching a problem in a way different than I was taught, it was easy to learn along with my kids. As my daughter gets beyond 3B, I might consider buying an instructor's guide again.

Now that I have four children, I do sort of wish I had bought something with the answer key for 3A. It's not that I can't do the math, but I can't do it quickly in my head!

[raelize]

have you looked into MEP? it is the curriculum they use in England, its free with all the necessary posters, number lines, everything. you just print it off the computer. i intended to use Singapore, but i found MEP and really really like it. it involves using manipulatives, mental math, songs, etc. just google MEP math. dd did Earlybird A and B and really didn't like it. i was going to push singapore on her, but when i found MEP, i printed it, and she loves it.

[Attila the Honey]

Thank you Raelize!  I will look into MEP right now.   

[MamaHappy]

I'm in my 5th year of using Singapore and I've always used the textbooks and the workbooks.  I usually buy the Home Instructor's Guide as well just to have on hand as a reference, I don't use it everyday.  The HIG is useful for me when I'm not sure how to teach something.  I do most of my teaching from the textbook. 

There is a plethera of supplementary materials you can buy....Intensive Practive, Challenging Word Problems, etc.  These aren't necessary IMO unless you really feel like your child needs extra work in math.  HTH! :)