Challenging Word Problems: A Singapore Math Live Review
DISCLOSURE: I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY PRODUCT THROUGH THE HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW.
It is a known fact that we fear that which we do not understand. Math is certainly a subject that many fear because they don’t understand or don’t understand it because they fear it! In our house, we tend to avoid things that we think are going to be difficult and math seems to be a regular offender of convincing kids it is harder than it really is. For today’s review we’re going to talk about a program designed to maximize math potential in kids by engaging them in critical thinking word problems and then walking them through the problem solving process. I’m going to show you all about Singapore Math Live - Challenging Word Problems from Singapore Math Live.
What We Received:
For this review we received Level 5 Singapore Math Live - Challenging Word Problems, a 209 paged workbook and access to accompanying solution videos from Singapore Math Live.
How It Works:
The Challenging Word Problems workbook is set up with 13 different lessons, review questions and answers. The lessons cover topics like Fractions, Ratio, and Area of Triangles. Within each lesson there are a couple of worked examples that demonstrate a concept and then followed by 8-10 practice questions. The online videos correspond with the practice questions and their solutions only. The worked examples are not addressed in the videos. The design is for students to walk through the worked examples and then try the following practice questions on their own. To check their answers they can check the back of the workbook, but for maximum understanding students should watch the videos for each practice question. The videos consist of the same instructor voicing over her writing out the problem solving process for each set of practice problems.
What We Thought:
Word problems are most definitely challenging in our household. I did just fine in math most of the time, but when word problems came on the scene about 6th grade, I struggled. While I eventually worked it out, I still hesitate and take a deep breath every time I sit down with my 11 year old and a word problem. Having the videos from Singapore Math Live changes the experience entirely. An answer key simply tells you whether or not you are wrong, but these videos teach students about the process, different problem solving techniques as well as checking your answer. The videos also make it less parent/teacher dependent if you are looking for a more independent work setup. The workbook is full of, as the name suggests, challenging word problems that are good exercise for any student, but the real value is the video instruction. As a homeschool parent, there is always value in someone else filling in possible learning gaps and the Singapore Math Live videos serve that need very well. And there always seems to be something more interesting about someone ELSE telling you what the right answer is rather than your mom!
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Singapore Math Live offers six different levels of workbooks and videos. Click on the link below to see what other families thought about the various levels available.
