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Retrieving Item Details 
In our Preschool Package, hands-on activities encourage the development of math readiness skills. The MFW activity booklet explains how to use these items to teach early math skills. Those educational toys that most directly relate to math are:
- Tall Stacker Pegs & Pegboard
- Shape and Color Sorter
- Number Express
- Number Puzzleboards & Pegs
- Fit-A-Space
- 8" Pegboard
In My Father's World From A to Z, math is taught using an informal, integrated approach. Many skills are woven into the lessons as students cut an apple in half, measure and compare the lengths of dinosaurs and whales, and order leaves by size. All typical kindergarten goals are taught, including counting objects, writing numerals, preparing and understanding charts and graphs, comparing, classifying, sequencing, ordinal numbers, fractions (whole/half), clocks, coins, and an introduction to addition and subtraction.
My Father's World From A to Z
Included in the Kindergarten Deluxe Package:
- Cuisenaire® Rods
- Cuisenaire® Rods Alphabet Book
My Father's World First Grade uses an informal, hands-on approach to teach math. A combination of hands-on activities, oral activities, pencil-and-paper tasks, and real-life situations more than adequately covers first grade math goals. Math becomes part of daily life, is practical, is well understood, and is usually even enjoyable! The Teacher's Manual lists first grade math goals and contains flexible plans for an informal, hands-on approach. The Deluxe Package adds a colorful math workbook and more hands-on manipulatives to reinforce skills. Click here for more information.
My Father's World First Grade
Included in the First Grade Deluxe Package:
- Wooden Pattern Blocks
- Pattern Animals: Puzzles for Pattern Blocks
- The Complete Book of Math
Initially I was concerned about which mathematics curriculum to use. For Kindergarten and 1st Grade, I did exactly what My Father's World recommends in their curriculum (i.e. hands-on activities, oral and real-life situations.) [I did not add any other math program.]
Then, for 2nd Grade I purchased a separate math curriculum. It recommended completing one lesson per week. [At that time, MFW did not offer Singapore Math.] However, due to the math preparation learned from MFW in Kindergarten and 1st Grade, my son was able to do one lesson per DAY. He, therefore, completed the 2nd and 3rd Grade material in his 2nd Grade year! He completed his Standardized Achievement Tests this year with outstanding results. Thank you MFW for laying such an outstanding math foundation!
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Singapore's Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition has an impressive scope and sequence that introduces skills early with unique and well thought-out methods. For example, simple multiplication and division readiness concepts are introduced in Level 1. (read more)
Another strength of Singapore Math is the strong mental math component. Logical, unique strategies are taught that help students truly understand mathematical concepts. Students are then able to solve problems mentally without always relying on paper and pencil.
Singapore Math was written for schools in the country of Singapore, which is an English-speaking nation. Singaporean students are distinguished among their international counterparts for receiving high marks in math. Singapore Math is gaining respect and popularity as students worldwide benefit from its unique approach. The Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition includes measurement units relative to American culture (U.S. currency, pounds, ounces, etc.).
We also appreciate the manageable number of workbook problems students are expected to solve on a daily basis. Its effective, parent- and student-friendly format, which we have witnessed in our own home school, makes this a program we highly recommend to others.
Before you order Singapore, your child must take a placement test. (read more)
Singapore Math is a very strong program; do not expect your child to test into a level that matches their grade level. Singapore books do not necessarily correlate to U.S. grade levels. The goal is to complete at least Level 5B by the end of the 6th grade. (Some students may easily be able to reach 6B, and should be encouraged to do so.) Many children who switch to Singapore after 2nd grade will need to complete more than one lesson a day until they are on target to reach this goal.
To decide which test to give your child, look at the tests that are at and below your child's grade level. Ignore the grade level on the test; look at the content. Select the placement test that you are confident your child can complete with more than 80% accuracy without your assistance. It is very important that you don't begin with a placement test that is much too hard for your child because he will probably become very frustrated. Expect to give more than one test to your child in order to accurately place him.
The placement tests are divided into two sections, A and B, each representing a half year of work. If necessary, you may give the first half (A) one day and the second half (B) the following day. Score the two sections (A and B) separately and calculate the percentage of correct answers for each one. Each question has a point value assigned in square brackets [ ] to the right of the problem. For tests 1A through 5B add up the points in the brackets for each correct answer. The total correct points on the test is the percentage of correct answers. For tests 6A and 6B add up the points correct and double the number. This will be the percentage of correct answers.
If the student scores 80% or above, and you are confident he has really mastered that material, then continue on and give him the test for the next level (on another day). When he scores below 80% (or you believe that he has not mastered the content), that is the level at which you should begin teaching. For example, if your child scores 92% on Test 2A, and 70% on Test 2B, purchase the Primary Math 2B and 3A package.
Placement Tips: If your child does not know addition/subtraction facts, begin with Primary Math 1A and 1B.
It is usually better to start teaching on a level that is slightly too easy than one that is slightly too difficult.
Placement for Grade 2
After completing 1st grade, the child should take the Singapore placement test and begin where placed. Math should take a child at this age no more than 40 minutes per day. Initially, it may often be quite a bit less.
Placement for Grades 3-6
A student new to Singapore Math should take the Singapore placement test and begin where placed. Don't think of the Singapore books as being tied to grade levels; Level 2B does not necessarily correlate to 2nd grade. Singapore Math is a very strong program; expect your child to test one or two (or more) levels below his actual grade level. As your child works in Singapore, remember the goal is to complete at least Level 5B by the end of 6th grade (Some students may easily be able to reach 6B, and should be encouraged to do so.)
Many children who switch to Singapore after 2nd grade will need to complete more than one lesson a day until they are on target to complete this goal. The following time recommendations will help your child catch up.
- 3rd and 4th graders (who are behind) should spend at least 45 minutes a day on math.
- 5th graders (who are behind) should spend at least 60 minutes a day on math.
- 6th graders (who are behind) should spend at least 75 minutes a day on math.
Once your child has progressed sufficiently so that he is on track to finish at least Level 5B by the end of 6th grade, he can complete one lesson per day as scheduled in the MFW lesson plans.
To select a placement test, click on the appropriate link below.
Answers are included on the last page of each test.
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Singapore Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition
Each two-semester set below contains lessons for a standard school year. (If your child is working at an accelerated pace then you will need more than one set per school year.) It includes two reusable textbooks (one for each semester), two consumable workbooks, and two lesson plan booklets written by My Father's World. (Lesson plans for levels 1A-4B include answers. For levels 5A-6B order the Answer Keys 4A-6B.)
Workbooks for an additional student are also available.
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For students in 7th - 12th grade, we recommend Saxon Math with one year of Jacobs Geometry. If your child is in 7th grade and has completed Singapore Level 5B, he should begin Saxon Math at level 8/7. If your child is in 7th grade and has been using an American math program, he should take the Saxon Placement Test and begin where placed.
If your child is in 8th grade or above and hasn't been using Saxon Math, he should take the Saxon Placement Test and begin where placed.
We have successfully used Saxon Math with our older children. We add DIVE CDs so that students are more self-directed. These are excellent CDs for use on your computer that teach each lesson in the Saxon textbooks. This is especially helpful if your time is limited, or if your higher level math skills are rusty. Our older children prefer DIVE CDs to Mom's help and, since my Calculus skills are non-existent, I'm very thankful! Our son finished Saxon through Calculus with the help of DIVE CDs and scored 98% on the Math subtest of his ACT test. Be sure to purchase the Solutions Manual because it shows each problem worked out step-by-step - very helpful when your child needs help and you aren't even sure how to begin!
Each complete package includes Daily Lesson Plans written by My Father's World. These plans assign the problems in each lesson that are most important to complete.
Saxon Math
Math 8/7 Complete Package includes paperback textbook, tests and worksheets, Solutions Manual, MFW Daily Lesson Plans, DIVE CD (which teaches each lesson).
Algebra 1/2, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Advanced Math Complete Packages include a Homeschool Kit (hardcover textbook and homeschool packet with test forms and answer key), Solutions Manual, MFW Daily Lesson Plans, DIVE CD. Calculus includes all items except the Daily Lesson Plans.
Jacobs Geometry
After completing Saxon Algebra 1, we recommend a full year of geometry using Geometry: Seeing, Doing, Understanding by Harold Jacobs (not published by Saxon).
Includes Jacobs Textbook, MFW Daily Lesson Plans, Teacher's Guide, and Test Bank.
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 | Do you recommend using Singapore math with a first grader? My Father's World First Grade curriculum is a complete program which includes math. 1st grade math will focus on real life, hands-on activities and can be supplemented with The Complete Book of Math which is included in the deluxe package for skills reinforcement. We have found delaying a child's move into a textbook based, formal math program and focusing on hands-on math is beneficial in helping children understand abstract concepts in math and number relationships. Based on observation and experience we recommend beginning Singapore Primary Math in 2nd grade. Your child can take a placement test at that time to determine where they would begin. Many of My Father's World families have been pleased at the placement of their children after following our 1st grade program as written. The Teacher's Manual will list twenty specific goals for numbers, addition, subtraction, place value, money, time, and other foundational math concepts. Our First Grade Teacher's Manual also features a library book list of math literature. |
MFW Homeschool Curriculum FAQs
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