Just received some really awesome math advice from someone who knows her subject! Somewhat depressed that my favorite program is so far behind (Saxon 5/4 is basically 3rd grade Singapore), but super excited to get something more rigorous into my kids heads. And in a format that I like, too (on the computer).
For scope and sequence, these three are similar, with Singapore being in the lead as far as rigor:
Singapore (workbooks & textbook)
Math Mammoth (e-books, ie, a PDF you print out)
A+ Math Software (online lessons, but with an optional PDF for pen and paper work)
The above three are ahead of the California Standards.
Then there is the Core Standards (below California Standards)
Then there is Saxon. A full year behind Singapore.
Duh.
But if you want Singapore's Scope and Sequence and Saxon's opportunity for repetition, you can use Calculadders (printable worksheets) or Quartermile (an computer math "game") to supplement.
Singapore, Math Mammoth, and A+ are all ABOVE California Standards. As explained to me, Core Standards is not even up to California Standards. I do not know for sure when the California Standards were revised, but I believe I read that it was 1989?
It isn't that Saxon is "bad," but just not as rigorous as the others. For example, Saxon 5/4 is for struggling 5th graders, average 4th graders, or advanced 3rd graders (compared to Singapore). I am under the opinion that you teach to the level of your students. It is better that they learn one level WELL before moving on.
The person I was speaking with said that home school publishers have always been far above the Core Standards. Basically, a lot of programs are "aligning" to the Core as a marketing tool (schools cannot buy books that don't say "Core Standards") and in order to offer a "revised" edition, they must revise a minimum of 20% of their book. But if a textbook introduces long division in 4th grade and Core standards doesn't introduce it until 6th grade, they don't have to delay in introducing it, they have simply "met and exceeded the standard".
Now, in an article I read on science (not a Core Standard, it was another one specifically FOR science) they did give specific instruction as to what NOT to cover. That standard
does limit what a student can be taught. http://truthinamericaneducation.com/next-generation-science-standards/problems-with-next-generation-science-standards/
But as far as it was explained to me (because I was stressing that Singapore, Math Mammoth, and Saxon are all getting ready to revise, or have already revised, their curriculum to meet the Core Standard), there is no upper limit. So far, this does not seem to be the case?
"Under Common Core, as the American Principles Project and Pioneer Institute point out, algebra I instruction is pushed to 9th grade, instead of 8th grade, as commonly taught. Division is postponed from 5th to 6th grade. Prime factorization, common denominators, conversions of fractions and decimals, and algebraic manipulation are de-emphasized or eschewed. Traditional Euclidean geometry is replaced with an experimental approach that had not been previously pilot-tested in the U.S."
http://michellemalkin.com/2013/01/23/rotten-to-the-core-obamas-war-on-academic-standards-part-1/
And another old, but good article on Math.
date.
http://educationnext.org/anamazeingapproachtomath/
-Jen
