Juggling the many mathematic's curricula choices is nearly impossible.  It is no wonder that many parents and teachers struggle to find the "perfect" math for their student.  The truth is that there are many wonderful choices for the study of mathematics.  One of my personal favorites is Singapore Math.  

Why I like the Singapore math program:

Singapore math is a time tested, clear, mastery focused, worksheet based, elementary level mathematics curriculum.  Each level, with the exception of kindergarten, contains 2 reusable textbooks and 2 corresponding workbooks.  The textbooks contain traditional instruction for each concept as well as practice problems to be completed on a separate sheet of paper, while the workbook provides ample practice problems to be completed alongside each section.  There are built in reviews throughout the workbooks, but each new section does not contain a review of previous sections.  This poses a problem for some parents who prefer a more spiral approach to mathematics.  

Singapore gets the job done, and does it well.  The format is clear.  The practice problems are plentiful.  The concepts are sound.    

The Singapore program begins with their kindergarten workbooks, of which there are two.  The workbooks focus on teaching basic number concepts, place value, and simple operations.  There is a huge emphasis on place value in Singapore that I have yet to see in many elementary programs.  For a math book, Singapore contains quite a bit of reading starting in level 1, which can pose a bit of a difficulty for late readers.  This is further driven by the  foreign names often used in the program, most first graders that I know don't know how to read names like "Meihua".  This problem is all but eliminated if you help your struggling reader with the directions.  The Singapore program is completed with level 6, which can be used in either 6 or 7th grade.  Once the student has completed level 6 of Singapore, he is ready for pre algebra.  

Every level starts with numbers and place value, then moves through the operations, basic arithmetic, and ends the year with measurement and simple geometry.  Each level goes further into depth with these concepts than the previous level.  I've found it helpful to know that the beginning of each year starts with the same concept and the end of each year is geometry.  If you are teaching multiple age students then adding some group math covering the same concept together in different depths becomes easy when using this program.  

Reviews are sprinkled throughout each level.  The reviews contain not only concepts from the unit covered, but also from previous units.  Reviews are longer than typical lessons so budgeting more time for math on review days is a good practice.  Also, not all lessons are the same length.  This can pose a difficulty in planning which lesson to cover.  My students are instructed to cover two lessons a day.  This allows the lighter lessons to sometimes be grouped with longer ones, and prepares my students for review days.  The review days are not perceptively long to the student when he is already completing similar length worksheets on a regular day.  This is just my way of dealing with the lesson length variations. It may not work for you or your student, and that is fine.  

In order to give you an idea of what the books in this program look like, I've created a short video that you can view on the right of this screen.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to comment below or ask them in our forum.