Help with Math Placement for 3 Different Children
I need help with math placement for my 3 children. One is going into Heart of Dakota’s (HOD’s) first grade. He has not had a lot of math, but he is just naturally good at it. (For example, he knows a fair share of his times tables already.) He is an older first grader because of his birthday. His main guide will be Beyond Little Hearts. Since he hasn’t (formally) done kindergarten math, how do I know if he’s ready for 1A/1B?
Moving on to child number two. He is just average at math. He prefers to have his head stuck in a book. Math? Not his favorite. He does score well on his math on standardized testing in spite of his lack of loving it. He is going into fourth grade. He’ll be using HOD’s Preparing Hearts for His Glory for his main guide. I have heard Singapore Math is pretty advanced. Which level would be good for him?
Finally, my oldest daughter is very strong in math. It just comes to her naturally. (My husband is an engineer and loves math.) Actually, my husband and daughter love to do math together. She is going into seventh grade and will be doing HOD’s Revival to Revolution. She could probably do Algebra, but we’d rather she did a year of PreAlgebra first. I was thinking Principles of Mathematics Book 2? But, does she have to have done Book 1? I just glanced at it, but I think hubby would LOVE the Biblical foundation in it!
Math Placement Reply:
Thank you for sharing about each of your children’s background in math! Each HOD guide will have multiple math options. Your husband’s being an engineer could definitely impact math placement! Our oldest sister’s husband is an engineer, and all of their 7 children are definitely gifted in math! Â Two have gone on to be engineers themselves. So, we definitely want to utilize the placement tests we have to determine proper placement.
Math Placement for Your First and Fourth Graders
Beyond Little Hearts includes math instruction for 1A/1B and 2A/2B Singapore Math. There is not a placement test for kindergarten. However, with your son knowing a fair share of his times tables, I would think he’d place within the levels of math in Beyond Little Hearts anyway. I’d begin testing him at 1A, though he may end up testing quite a bit higher. I think it’s best to be sure there are not any gaps.
As far as your fourth grader, you are right in saying Singapore Math is considered at least a year advanced. For this reason, I’d begin testing him at 3A. You can follow the Singapore Math placement instructions by clicking here.
Math Placement for Your Seventh Grader
Your seventh grader has multiple options for math. She could do Singapore Math 6A/6B (it is considered a year advanced), Principles of Mathematics Book 1, or Principles of Mathematics Book 2. Based on what you’ve shared, I would take a look at the Principles of Mathematics Book 2 placement test.
If she passes the Book 2 placement test, she does not need to have done Book 1 first. She is then ready for Book 2! If she doesn’t pass it, you could do POM Book 1 or look at the 6A/6B Singapore Math placement tests. You can follow the Singapore Math placement instructions by clicking here. Hope you have a wonderful year homeschooling your family with HOD!
In Christ,
Julie
