To be honest I don't want to pay for math EPGY. I can teach him math including the college level but it would be nice to have a cheap math software to play with. KWIM? EPGY may be too dry and boring for him anyway. DS5 may end up liking the Destination Math, he hasn't seen it yet. It was me who wasn't overly impressed yesterday.

How many people just write up explanations and do the teaching themselves? I do this with maths and reading.

While have various books (incl. Painless Algebra and the grade-level workbooks from the bookstores), I prefer to write up explanations for a math topic, paste them into DS8's Math Notebook, and then make up problems. Sometimes I get him do problems in the workbooks. My husband enjoys teaching him a lot of mental mathematics stuff we've been discussing on Conceptual Mathematics.

Also, my DD3 adores workbooks. I just found a big one from Learning Horizons called "Math" for ages 5-8. The series is "Learn Every Day."

It starts with counting objects/circling the corresponding numeral and ends with addition/subtraction with regrouping, measuring things, and basic multiplication. It has lots of color everywhere and is great for little kids.

Val

Oh I forgot to mention. For the individual subscription to Destination Math, they don't include the assessment tools that a school (or big program like CTY or EPGY) would get.
That's not a problem for me, especially for the price.
And I did get it for DD6 because I think she needs a little more "jazzy" of a program to be engaged right now.
I was also willing to try it because I was thinking it was the same as what CTY has or had used.
Since math theory and elementary ed aren't my skill base, I tend to go with tried and tested. I'm thinking if Houghlin Mifflin purchased the company it should be okay.
I'm not pursuing Everyday Math for the above reasons. It's too new and while the people behind it are seriously smart , I'm not sure I would be confident in reviewing it's effectiveness.
I'd rather hear what the math gurus on the board think after they've tried it out.

I'm relieved to see that you saw my post and that I did not lead you astray!

DS has said on occasion that everything he's learned he's learned on television. It's not that far from the truth. DM and HeyMath! will work for him for the same reason - they're entertaining.

No worries.

Neato, if it makes you feel any better, it appears it's true. Here's an excerpt from the DM Spain site (http://www.hmlt.hmco.com/Intl-Spain.php):



I finally had DS look at it the other day and he thought it was boring, too. It's a bit slow - but at least your children can skip over the things they know. I think the only real difference is that CTY gives quizzes, tests and a final exam, and provides written homework - and of course, the tutors. Even on EPGY, which is computer only through Stanford, CTY makes the kids take a written final exam.

Hi, may I know which Spore Math are you using? How do you decide which level to start with for your DS8? Thanks!

I'm not sure which we will use. We have 2 and 3 here, and his teacher has 4. He did EPGY Grade 3, but hasn't memorized the multiplication tables (well, he did, but has forgotten them). I hear Singapore Math has a lot of mental math, so I plan to go back through 2 and 3 and review what I think he doesn't know well before we go forward with 4.

I'm sure you've seen it, but here is their placement info: http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_s/12.htm

There are free pre-tests on their website: http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_s/12.htm .

Keep in mind that Singapore Math is 1/2 to 1 year ahead of typical American math. So a typical 3rd grader working at grade level starting the year now would start at 2A or 2B, depending. Obviously kids ahead of the curriculum would start at a higher level.

I just looked at the placement tests. Seems the EPGY Accelerated Math sequence is in line with the Singapore US version - except for the mental math aspect. Some areas are ahead, some behind, but pretty much on par.