Feedback on On-Line Tutoring?

I don’t have any experience with on-line tutoring, so can’t help you there.

We are currently working with our 10yo dd to bring her up to age level in math. We started with Math-U-See (http://www.math-u-see.com) which is very good for concept development, but rather weak on computation and word problems.

Recently we have switched to Singapore Math and we all ***really*** like this program. It has a good balance between concept development and computation, and is terrific with word problems. This curriculum is actually used in Singapore schools. It starts out about a year ahead of U.S. schools, so don’t consider the levels grade-equivalent to the U.S.

Anyway, this is a really easy math approach to use at home. There are two textbooks per level, and two workbooks per textbook. The textbook works on concepts (sometimes you gather up beans and other manipulatives to work with, but usually the colorful visual representations in the textbook are enough), and then directs you to the appropriate workbook sections. Typically you work with the child on the textbook, and then the workbook is done independently.

My suggestion is to start with Level 3, because it contains some basic concept development materials that lay a foundation for later levels. Even if it’s too easy for your daughter, it will provide very sound review and she can go through it pretty quickly. It’s very important to drop back and start where the child is comfortable anyway.

The website lists contents for each level, provides sample pages (textbooks are in color, workbooks are black & white but provide great variety in approach to problems), and provides online placement tests. Check it out at http://www.singaporemath.com

This curriculum has been incredibly valuable to us, and really easy to do at home. We started with just the workbooks for Level 2 (I don’t recommend this. Wish we had gotten the textbooks too.), and it took my dd 6 weeks to finish the first one — with lots of complaints and whining. She polished off the second one in a week and a half! She says she learns more from this approach than anything else we’ve done, and I believe her.

If you have the time, you can supplement with the Key To math series. For example, Key To Fractions has 4 workbooks that start with the very basic elements of fractions and gradually work up into very complex work with fractions. They are very good, but are probably not as strong on concept development as Singapore Math. The nice thing about them is that a child is able to concentrate on one area for quite a period of time in order to gain mastery. The workbooks can be done pretty much independently, with just a little parental supervision. These books are available from quite a few homeschooling sources on the net. http://www.rainbowresource.com has them (be sure to ask them for their printed catalog, which is a goldmine of information. Their online catalog doesn’t contain any descriptions.).

Mary

Greetings Mary,

You were reading my mind again! I was just talking with my husband about using Sinapore Math with our 14yo daughter this next school year. She completed the Intermediate level with MathUSee this past school year with me teaching her at home. Very recent KeyMath-Revised test scores indicate she was functioning 2.4yrs ahead in basic concepts, but 2yrs behind in operations and 1yr behind in applications. Neither my daughter or I were that thrilled with MUS and I’ve read a lot of good comments about Singapore. You said you started with Level 2. What was covered at this level and how/why did you decide to start there instead of Level 3?

Thanks for your help, Mary!

Blessings, momo

Thanks so much Mary & Momo for posting your advice. We will definitely investigate Singapore Math as an option.

Quick question: It sounds like both of you home school your kids. Am I right? My daughter attends our local public school (just finishing 7th grade this year) and is quite independent about doing her homework. (Since about 5th grade, she rarely wants help from either me or my husband). Any tips about working with her? Does it help with the Singapore Math program for the parent to work closely with the child?

Greetings J-Mom,

I have been homeschooling my now 14yo dd for the past 1.5yrs, since the middle of 7th grade. She will be entering highschool in the fall (grade 9), so we are considering dual enrollment with the local public school. I’m sorry I can’t answer your questions about Singapore Math since I haven’t used it yet - I’ve just heard alot of good things about it. My daughter does not work independently so you are very fortunate that your daughter does. However, my 11yo ds is a very independent worker - almost stubbornly so. At first he resisted any input from me but he finally came to realize that at least studying for tests with me helped to improve his grades. Sorry I don’t have any real “pearls of wisdom” to share!

Blessings, momo

Hi momo,

We had just finished MUS Foundations. We started with Level 2 of Singapore Math in order to provide a thorough review (which it did!). We have MUS Intermediate, but my husband did not like the fact that it started work on fractions before introducing division. We will probably use Intermediate only to supplement concept development in SM, if needed.

Even though Level 3 sounds too elementary for your dd, it would be a good place to start to hone computation skills. I believe it’s the Level 3B books that introduce the concepts that are really necessary for later levels. What you could do is start with Level 3A and watch. If the problems are too easy for your dd, have her skip some of the workbook problems to get through faster. My dd was really bored with some of the workbook pages initially and complained about them, but actually I think making her work all the problems was what led to her greatly increased computation abilities and speed! It’s one of those areas where you have to use some judgment.

We have been using Quarter Mile Math also for math facts drill (which our dd really needs). We have liked it and will continue to use it (we got the K-12 package, so there will always be something in there to work on), but we notice that trying to beat her old time sometimes gets in the way of dd’s concentration on the facts — and encourages her to guess rather than think. So I am planning to alternate QMM with other forms of drill. Specifically, I have found some books that look as if they will be really helpful for both (more) pleasurable drill activities (ways to use card decks for math facts drill) and concept development. Let me know if you want the website for ordering these books (I have only found one). These books are written by Denise in IL, who posts on the vegsource homeschooling boards.

Incidentally, ***CONGRATULATIONS*** on your dd’s wonderful test scores after homeschooling for only two years!!! We have found similar benefit from homeschooling and pursuing these therapies that seem to make sense for our children. Now maybe more people will believe me when I post about the reading gains we got in an 18-month period!

Mary

We homeschooled full-time last year for 3rd grade. Basically, we brought our dd’s reading up from a pre-school level at age 8-1/2 to a fluent 5th grade level in two years (using Reading Reflex, vision therapy, PACE, and a Phono-Graphix intensive).

This year, for 4th grade, we found a small public charter school that allows my dd to attend mornings while we continue to homeschool afternoons (all of the important academic subjects!).

Your dd may be able to do Singapore Math all on her own. However, I think it’s a really good idea to sit with her while she goes through the textbook sections. Maybe have her explain everything *to you* as she goes through it! That way you will have a good idea if she is really grasping the concepts. Singapore lays out concept development so well in its textbooks — colorful, but even more importantly, very incremental — that your dd may have no problem at all. However, Singapore does sometimes require manipulatives (things you can find around the house) to illustrate concepts. You want to be aware when this is recommended and make sure your dd actually uses them. Also, if you see that she is having a problem with a concept, you can look for ways to supplement.

Otherwise, the textbook even tells you when to break off and work sections of the workbook before continuing on. SM is very self-explanatory, and for the most part really does not require an adult to be ***teaching*** and explaining a lot.

Mary

My cousin is a mathematician. She recommended what seems to be the best online math tutorial — it is aleks.com

It does a pretty sophisticated evaluation on line and then custom designs the program for the student.

Unfortunately, I found that my tenth grader really needed the person right there to keep her focused on the difficult material (she’s dyslexic). So she never really finished the evaluation.

However, the evaluation is free, shouldn’t take long, and if it works for your daughter, I’d certainly do it!!

Barbara in New York

Barbara: Thanks so much for your advice. You are the first source of feedback on on-line tutoring. I plan on going to your recommended website tonight and giving it a try with my daughter.

Thanks again!

Could you please tell me if Singapore Math is good for a Special Ed. Resource math program? Is it specifically aimed at homeschoolers or is it for LD students? Please provide some feedback.

Marilyn

Actually, Singapore Math is a math curriculum actually used in Singapore classrooms.

The version most widely available in the U.S. (from http://www.singaporemath.com) is marketed to both schools and homeschoolers. It is not specifically designed for LD students. I have not heard of anyone using it in a resource room, but imagine it could be done. It’s really a remarkable curriculum, and largely self-teaching. Basically, you spend some time one-on-one or in a small group working through the textbook (with manipulatives, if necessary) to ensure understanding of the concepts. Then the children work pretty much independently in the workbooks doing problems.

SM is pretty inexpensive, and I believe they offer a 30-day refund policy. You could order a set for the grade level in which you have an interest and take a look at it.

If you go to the homeschooling boards at vegsource and do a search on Singapore Math, you will probably find some very excellent posts about what makes it so good compared to most U.S math programs.

Many homeschoolers supplement Singapore with Miquon in the early grades, because Miquon is very good for concept development and is very compatible with SM.

Mary