Hi everyone! Welcome to another homeschool curriculum forum post. Today we’re talking all about math!
As most of you know I have previously tried both Abeka and Saxon math. Abeka was okay for the younger years, but flashcards just weren’t doing it for us. We needed something more hands on as well as something that better explained the various skills we were learning.
We switched to Math U See. While this curriculum was working well for us, I ventured over to Saxon for a bit just to see how it worked. After finding myself explaining Saxon lessons using our Math U See blocks and examples, we switched back to Math U See and haven’t looked back since.
One thing to know about MUS is that they do teach to mastery, and that means your student might not learn a certain skill right off the bat. They build on concepts so that the math skills actually make sense for your student.
Students also use the MUS visual manipulatives to help further understand whatever skill they are working at the time. However to my surprise the students do not become depending on the manipulatives to solve problems. They’re simply hands on training tools to use until a concept is mastered.
Pros:
- Hands on learning.
- Teaches to mastery.
- Visual aids to help explain various skills.
Cons:
- Skills are taught in a non-traditional order.
- Manipulatives can be pricey unless purchased used.
So, now comes the fun part!
What are your favorite Math curriculum, resources, websites, etc? Leave a comment below discussing your choices for this year and why.
Feel free to ask questions or reply to each other too!
It’s my way of doing a forum without actually doing a forum haha!
And hopefully this will help us all as we start the process of researching curriculum, and trying to decide what will be the best fit for our homeschool.
Note: Please keep today’s conversations geared towards MATH, I will be posting one for each subject separately so we can keep our comments organized.
Click here if you missed my previous Homeschool Curriculum Forum posts!
Disclosure: This was not a sponsored post, I may however be affiliated with one or more products mentioned. The opinions expressed in this post were not influenced by the company. They are products I have used and felt like sharing, cuz’ it’s my blog and I can if I want to.
We are LOVING Christain Light Education. It is simple but thorough, the lessons aren’t too long and it isn’t pricey. This is my first year homeschooling my 5th, 3rd and 1st graders. They have great placement tests that were spot on to their abilities. As I close this first year and look to the next, this curriculum is the one thing I am sure is not changing. We also use an online speed test site called xtramath.org. I love Xtra math! The kids complain some, but it has done amazing things for their memorization of facts. I even made an account for myself and practice along with them. I love that it is challenging them. It is easy to use and the best part is that it is free! (Also, thank you Erica! I have used your site MANY times. You have been so incredibly helpful to me.)
I was a public school teacher and fell in love with a hands on math program we used called Bridges in Mathematics. It’s hard to find, but you can piece together the various components using internet searches. It’s game based and really wonderful for the younger grades. We supplement with materials from Teachers Pay Teachers and I use the grade level standards from the state of WA (where I taught) as a guide, though I cover more in some areas and less in others, since I’m not required to cover it the same way I was in public school.
I am also a former math teacher and LOVED Bridges. We have used a very different approach that has required some tweaking for the homeschool setting but have had much success. Kathy Richardson’s Developing Number Concepts is an awesome way to teach the concepts of math without just “teaching the rules” or memorizing facts. I saw too many pre-algebra and algebra students come through my class knowing math facts but having no understanding of what the numbers really meant, so I knew I wanted to do something different for my kids. My 6 yo was multiplying and dividing real life problems without any use of symbols or math vocabulary. When we introduce the symbols and vocab, he will already understand the concept so it won’t be confusing, Can’t say enough awesome things about this approach!!!
I have never taught Bridges but have used the next level up Opening Eyes to Mathmatics. I am now planning on homeschooling my 4 and 5 year olds next year and am wanting to use Bridges. Any ideas on what all I need to find? I just called and Bridges is currently not sold in anything less than an 30 student kit. I have the Box-it-and-Bag-it packs already.
I have not started homeschooling yet (have a 3 year old and 1 year old) but I taught for 6 years and was teacher of the year one year. That may not mean to much to some but I loved planning and learning the best ways to teach my students. The last two years of teaching my district moved to Pearsons Envision Math. I LOVED it and so did my students. I am excited to find that Pearson also has home school curriculum. This curriculum addresses multiple learning styles, teaches understanding rather than just the algorithm, and has a variety of teaching media as well (DVD, textbook, computer games, manipulatives, interactive whiteboards, and online textbooks.)
Like many people who have responded, we have also tried many different Math programs over the years. When my oldest was elementary age, we just couldn’t find one that totally ‘fit” with her. (Math was just not her best subject). But I now know that all the changing curricula certainly wasn’t good for her, either. With my next three children I started them out with MUS and they have all enjoyed it. During Gamma (multiplication) we did have to stop and work on flashcards for a while to solidify the times tables, but that was easy enough to add in. Unfortunately, Math U See has decided to change their curriculum to align with the new Common Core standards that are being adopted nationwide by the public schools. Sadly, this is enough for me to NOT purchase their curriculum again.
I have a friend who has used Teaching Textbooks for years with great success. Since they are not aligning I’m sure that’s the route I will be taking for my children in the future.
If anyone is looking at high school math, my oldest (now almost 15yo) is using VideoText and it is GREAT!! Very well explained and independent for the child (it’s all video instructed). The Algebra program has solidified the concepts so well for my (not-so-Math-oriented) daughter. I certainly recommend it!!
Like someone else mentioned, though…..if you find something that WORKS for your child, stick with it! And realize that each child might learn better with different approaches and that’s OK!
Happy homeschooling!!!!
Do you know they are aligning for sure? I recently thought the same thing and called to speak with someone at MUS. They responded that the curriculum went beyond Common Core alignment and they were just showing where it matched up for public school customers. I too am very leary about any company that would change their curriculum to specifically align with common core. We currently use Horizons but have seriously thought about switching to MUS next year to solidify some concepts that seem to be weak. If they have decided to go the Common Core route than I would not purchase MUS as well. Thanks for posting.
Nicole,
My cousin actually contacted the company and was told that they ARE aligning. They also have a lengthy explanation on their website and I have read that myself. Here’s a link:
http://www.mathusee.com/parents/whats-new-2013/math-u-see-and-the-common-core/
It really saddens me that they (and any other homeschool curriculum companies) would find it important enough to change their curriculum just to align with the CC standards! IMHO, if we homeschoolers wanted our kids to be just like the public school students we would have our kids in the public schools, right?!
I read the 3 posts above the one I’m making so I looked into it b/c MUS it’s something I’ve been considering, however the link that Misti shares above just shows how MUS would satisfy common core. So I directly emailed MUS and told them that I heard they are aligning to the common core and asked if this was true. Below is their response to my email:
“Hello Shana,
Thank you for your email.
No, it is not true that Math-U-See is changing the curriculum to grade-based levels or to any outside standards. The updates to the General Math levels (Primer through Zeta) were in response to customer requests for additional help and materials. We listened and added supplemental instruction and activity pages to address these requests such as more word problems, more practice of some concepts, additional terms and clarity on some concepts.
Some of Math-U-see’s customers in some states are required to do standardized testing. They were concerned about some terms that their students need for those tests. In order to take care of all of our customers we updated the books.
The changes were to add some teaching tips to the Instruction Manual and add Application and Enrichment pages (1 per lesson) to the Student Workbook. None of the lessons were changed. The DVDs are the same.
The methods that Math-U-See has used for more than 20 years are still there and have not changed.
The Application and Enrichment pages are optional. It is your choice to use them or not. If you have an Alpha or Beta test book that is titled Test and Activity Book then you already have the new pages for those levels. They are the same pages just moved from the Test Book to the Student Workbook. They include games and coloring to reinforce the concepts.
If you have a previous edition Teacher/Instruction Manual and DVD they are still compatible with the updated Student material. The only thing you will not have are the solutions to the Application and Enrichment pages. These solutions can be downloaded from the Math-U-See website.
Math-U-See does sell to public schools so we provided the public schools with information on how the curriculum will satisfy Common Core.
I hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to call us and talk about your concerns.
Please let me know if I can help you with anything else.
Mary Newton
Customer Service Representative
Math-U-See
888-854-6284 |mnewton@mathusee.com
http://www.mathusee.com
Sign up for our free email newsletter”
I’m a parent and would love to better understand this Common Core stuff. My husband and I are fortunate to send our children to a private school and as of late, I’m hearing the same this about moving to Common Core. The information I’ve found says everyone will be learning the same thing at the same time, but not all states are adhearing to this??? Texas being one…which has a great (compared to CA) system. Texas opting out makes me really question it. Any help would be great! thank you!
Julie,
I know you posted this a year ago but maybe it’ll help someone else. I am posting some links for you to learn about the common core. As of this date the links work but I don’t know how long they’ll be good. At any time, however, you should be able to go to http://www.hslda.org and search common core and get all the answers you seek. Also, go to http://www.youtube.com and search common core, as of right now there are several videos. Look up ‘common core Arkansas mom 4 min.’
You should watch this 40 min video
https://www.hslda.org/commoncore/Video.aspx Here’s some text over it http://www.hslda.org/commoncore/ http://www.hslda.orgsearch.asp?cx=003292018161232433569%3At9te_l-65iw&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&sa.x=0&sa.y=0&q=common+core
Hope this helps.
When did you start with VideoText? My son will be in 7th grade and I feel like he is ready for at least pre-algebra. I worry, since I haven’t heard a lot of reviews, that he may be too young?? He is advanced in math.
Hi Michell,
The VideoText Algebra actually covers Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. And it can be done as quickly or slowly as it works for your child. If you think your son is ready for it, then he probably is! I actually met the creator of VT at our local homeschool conference last year and loved him and the program. It is a different (more complete) way of explaining the concepts, one that allows even those who are not math-oriented to “get it.” 🙂 If your son is advanced in math he may just breeze right through it. And when he’s completed it he will have earned 2 full credits of high school math–Algebra 1 & Algebra 2. Yay!
I hope that helped a bit. I would say if you have any questions about it just contact the company. They have great customer service reps!
I was told the same thing as Nicole.
From what I understand the new books aligned with Common Core are only adding a few application problems that were already available in the optional practice pages you could download. The DVD’s are not changing. We are just starting Math U See and I found this info on the web site when I was deciding whether to buy new or used.
We use horizons. My son LOVES math & he likes the workbooks from Horizons.
Has anyone looked at or tried rod and staff math? We used Saxon for ” first grade” my daughter hated it. I moved her through a spectrum third grade standards .. And she was much happier… We will be using rod and staff for other subjects, and I thought their math looked great but since I have nothing from any other homeschoolers , I am becoming skeptical….
When I pulled my son from public school I planned on using MUS, and even purchased it. My Lego loving son did not care for MUS at all.
Next I had him use Teaching Textbooks, which he liked. He has severe dyslexia, and I loved that all math problems were read aloud to him. He did 1.5 years of TT in one year. I found he was very distracted by the character drawings. He would take forever to do one problem because he wanted to discuss the drawings endlessly.
I then found Christian Light Education math. My son looked at samples with me, and liked what he saw. In Sept 2012. He switched to CLE Math. He loves it! He just finished a years worth, and we plan on sticking with this math. The pages are not flashy, they aren’t distracting either. He does more daily work in CLE math, but it takes less time than TT. His reading as improved and he’s able to do his daily CLE math lesson independently, which gives him a big confidence boost. He also likes that the math comes in light units (small workbooks) vs one big fat workbook (TT). I love the teachers book. It shows how all problems are worked out, not just the solutions.
You should look into http://www.aplustutorsoft.com there is a free 30 day trial. My very tactile, auditory son and daughter love it. They both struggle with dyslexia too.
First of all, thanks for doing these forums – so helpful! I had to add another curriculum into the mix. We have been using Math in Focus by Houghton Mifflin. It has been FANTASTIC! It uses the Singapore approach. In my opinion, it’s the Americanized version of Singapore Math. I am a former math major and teacher, so I am very picky in this area, and it has worked really well for us. I really feel like she has a very strong foundation from this program. Like other people have said, what works for one kid and parent is not what will work for another, but it’s definitely worth taking a look at. It’s really expensive to buy it new, but I’ve gotten really good deals buying it used, and the consumable portions are only $15 a year at Rainbow Resource. It’s the one curriculum I have that never makes me wonder whether there is something better out there. 🙂
We did a virtual school this year so our math program was the k12 math. For next year I am planning on using Math Mammoth but was wondering if any one has used this and has an opinion on it?
I bought Math Mammoth and used it to begin multiplication with my son, while he was doing Horizons. I thought that it was easier for him using Math Mammoth to begin. We then just continued on and are working on memorizing the facts in the way that Math Mammoth suggested, while doing his regular Horizons workbook too.
We have started Math Mammoth early this year and enjoy it. It is a work-text so the curriculum and teachers manual are all in one. It helps me with teaching time. I am using this until we get into 3rd grade so I can switch over to Teaching Textbooks. It has the foundations that we need and are really excited with the layout.
Thank you! My son will be first grade and I really like the look of Math Mammoth! You’re opinions are appreciated.
We use Math Mammoth over here and love it! I have a 2nd grader using it now. I have no complaints about it!
I am very curious about trying Math U see at one point since I hear a lot of people liking it, however, this is my 2nd year homeschooling and we chose Singapore Math, not only because it was cheaper (although I am very visual and would love to have all kinds of nice books and manipulatives for my kids) but because I have heard so many good comments of kids in Asia excelling their counterparts in North America (plus my husband had the opportunity to visit Singapore a decade ago and was so impressed with the country he felt he time-traveled into the future!). I have liked it so far and so have my kids.
I really liked this video “Why Singapore leads the world in Early Mathematics” when doing some research:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxJSCwcnac8