Off Topic Math U See for Homeschooling

[Shelovesthebars]

Has anyone used this program for their homeschooler? My daughter will be a kindergarter and she is strictly hands on learner. She has to see and touch (a doer) to pick things up. What are your opinions on this program?

 

[mariposa]

I use Math U See with my DD and she really likes it. Math is not her thing, but she is slowly getting it, very slowly. Lucky for her I am not too worried about what grade she is in, just that she happily learns at her own pace.

This is a great site for user reviews of homeschool curriculum, I always look here to read reviews of stuff there. Lots of good info about the pros and cons of MUS here. HomeSchoolReviews.com Math U See Curriculum Reviews

 

[mariposa]

Question, do you plan on homeschooling her for awhile, or will she be going into school for 1st grade? If so, you might want to see what math program the school uses and if they have homeschooling versions of it. Saxon math is very popular with schools and I know families that have chosen to use what their school district uses either "just in case" or because they plan on having them enter school later.

 

[Shelovesthebars]

We live in a "great" school system where we pay crazy high taxes. My 2 boys started in this shool system from day one and it has really been a bad experience for them because they are high energy, hands on learners. My daughter is the same. The earliest I would expect her to enter the school system would be in the second grade but if she is doing well with the homeschooling, then I don't really see the need to send her to school until highschool. I will check into the Saxon math.

 

[gymnastgets10]

I'm homeschooled and I used Horizon math until 5th grade and then I switched to Saxon. I'm not really a math person but I kinda liked Horizon - it's a workbook style and the lessons were pretty short and easy. Saxon is a lot harder with longer lessons but it prepares you more for college level math. I think it's great that you're homeschooling your DD!

 

[mariposa]

Of course, she can always switch, so even if she does use MUS right now, she can change to whatever and probably do fine. My 4 year old uses Singapore Math right now and we will see if I stick with that for her or not. She is doing the Early Bird Math 1A. Not really math yet, but the early concepts. She likes that she can do math when her sister is doing it.

 

[ejgymmom]

We just started using Rightstart Math (RightStart Mathematics by Activities for Learning, Inc.) and so far we love it. I found out about this curriculum at a homeschool convention and was very impressed by it. We were pretty much set to do Singapore Math but decided to switch to this. Now granted, we're not very far into Level A, but my daughter is loving the manipulatives as she is very hands on.

That Homeschool Reviews website that Mariposa posted has some reviews for it in case you're interested in....however, I always read reviews with a grain of salt since every child is different. What works for one child may not work for another.

Good luck! We're just starting K/1st homeschooling here and so far, so good.

 

[emandelsmom]

Math-U

As a curriculum specialist, I would suggest that your pull the national standards. Look at those. For k and 1, you really don't need a program as long as you have the standards and gear your activties to them. You can buy supplemental workbooks etc to help or go to superkids.com and pull worksheets etc. And you can google activities. I taught first grade for years, and the books weren't worth it. We did better thinking up activites and following the standards. HTH

 

[lovemylifex4]

We use Abeka and LOVE it! I don't use the teacher manuals at this age yet though. I have looked into the national standards and scope & sequences or table of contents of many different math books. I made a detailed list of what each child should learn in their grade level... we use Abeka workbooks and supplement with additional free printable worksheets as needed.

I also add in a TON of hands on activities. We have so many manipulatives and games for the kids to use to help them understand each math principle.

This year I have children in 2nd Grade, 1st Grade, Kindergarten and my 2 year old who will be starting to learn some 'math basics' (like counting, recognition, 1:1 correspondence).