Transitioning to MUS for pre-algebra

[Quiver0f10]

How hard would it be to jump into MUS at the pre-algebra level? I use MUS with my 4th grader, but I have never seen the upper levels. Would the transition be smooth for a student coming from Saxon? Thanks!

[Corraleno]

IMO, the Prealgebra level isn't really that useful for anyone who hasn't done the previous levels. It's basically a grab-bag of miscellaneous topics that didn't get covered in the lower levels, because of the one-topic-per-year approach in Alpha through Zeta. For example, there are 2 entire lessons (out of 30) on converting from Centigrade to Fahrenheit. There are 2 lessons on negative numbers that do not go into any depth at all; the lessons on integers in MUS Algebra cover negative numbers at the level that most curricula would cover in a much lower grade (e.g. Math Mammoth 5b covers negative numbers in more depth than MUS Algebra). I ended up sending it back and exchanging it for MUS Algebra (which I'll use as prealgebra), because DS had already covered almost all of it in MM. So unless your student has done MUS Alpha through Zeta, and needs to fill in those specific gaps, IMO there's not much point in doing their Prealgebra program.

 

Jackie

[Quiver0f10]

Thank you! This is what I needed to know.

[razorbackmama]

IMO, the Prealgebra level isn't really that useful for anyone who hasn't done the previous levels. It's basically a grab-bag of miscellaneous topics that didn't get covered in the lower levels, because of the one-topic-per-year approach in Alpha through Zeta. For example, there are 2 entire lessons (out of 30) on converting from Centigrade to Fahrenheit. There are 2 lessons on negative numbers that do not go into any depth at all; the lessons on integers in MUS Algebra cover negative numbers at the level that most curricula would cover in a much lower grade (e.g. Math Mammoth 5b covers negative numbers in more depth than MUS Algebra). I ended up sending it back and exchanging it for MUS Algebra (which I'll use as prealgebra), because DS had already covered almost all of it in MM. So unless your student has done MUS Alpha through Zeta, and needs to fill in those specific gaps, IMO there's not much point in doing their Prealgebra program.

 

Jackie

 

:001_huh:

 

I have kind of the opposite question - I had planned to drop MUS after Zeta and use a different pre-algebra...would you say that my ds would need to continue on with MUS Pre-Algebra in order to cover everything he'd need to cover? While he did use something else prior to Epsilon, I'm sure he's forgotten quite a bit since he hasn't used it for the past 2+ years.

[Corraleno]

I'd be inclined to use a different program, like Math Mammoth 6, to fill the gaps instead of MUS Prealgebra. MM would cover the same concepts in greater depth than MUS, plus get your ds used to solving harder problems, which you're likely to find in other math programs (unless you're switching to TT). For example, MUS Prealgebra spends 4-5 weeks on negative numbers, but they teach the concept very very simplistically, and only using their manipulatives (the "empty" side = a negative number), no other visuals or conceptual explanations — and no number line! Math Mammoth teaches integers (in both 5B and 6B) from multiple perspectives, including using number lines, and even introduces graphing functions, which MUS doesn't cover until Algebra. IMO, switching out of programs like MUS or TT often means having to go "back" a level or two, because they often bump the more difficult topics to higher levels than other math programs. If you're interested in Math Mammoth 6, it's currently on sale, through Monday, for about $26 for both books.

 

Jackie

[razorbackmama]

Yep, I've switched to MM for my younger kids (and so glad I did!!!!!). I've got Thinkwell Pre-Algebra purchased to use for my 8th grader once he finishes Zeta. I think my trouble will be figuring out just where the gaps ARE. I wonder if I might be able to administer the MM placement tests to see where the gaps are and then just touch on those topics, either through the light blue series or the blue series, to adequately prepare him for pre-algebra?

 

Do you think that's a decent plan?

 

OR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you think I ought to just administer the MM placement tests now and start filling in the gaps now, rather than waiting till the end of Zeta and then switching? He's about to start lesson 22 in Zeta.

 

I'm just sick that he probably won't be in pre-algebra till he's in 9th grade, and it's not because he doesn't get math.:glare:

[HollyDay]

If you are planning to use MUS for Algebra, I'd certainly do their pre-algebra. I switched dd from TT to MUS at the algebra 1 level. It was a complete flop. She was not prepared for MUS algebra. MUS starts with graphing. THis is a much different approach than other textbooks I've seen. I've been told I should have switched to MUS at the pre-algebra level if I planned to use MUS for algebra......

[8filltheheart]

If you are planning to use MUS for Algebra, I'd certainly do their pre-algebra. I switched dd from TT to MUS at the algebra 1 level. It was a complete flop. She was not prepared for MUS algebra. MUS starts with graphing. THis is a much different approach than other textbooks I've seen. I've been told I should have switched to MUS at the pre-algebra level if I planned to use MUS for algebra......

 

I'm not sure that this is an accurate description. I have had 5 kids go from Horizons 6 to MUS alg with zero problems. They find MUS extremely easy even though they have never encountered any "pre-alg" other than the general math concepts in Horizons.

 

I would suspect the issue is more around the way TT teaches and transitioning from TT's approach to a different one.

[Corraleno]

Yep, I've switched to MM for my younger kids (and so glad I did!!!!!). I've got Thinkwell Pre-Algebra purchased to use for my 8th grader once he finishes Zeta. I think my trouble will be figuring out just where the gaps ARE. I wonder if I might be able to administer the MM placement tests to see where the gaps are and then just touch on those topics, either through the light blue series or the blue series, to adequately prepare him for pre-algebra?

 

Do you think that's a decent plan?

 

OR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you think I ought to just administer the MM placement tests now and start filling in the gaps now, rather than waiting till the end of Zeta and then switching? He's about to start lesson 22 in Zeta.

 

I'm just sick that he probably won't be in pre-algebra till he's in 9th grade, and it's not because he doesn't get math.:glare:

I think a child would have a really hard time going from MUS Zeta to Thinkwell Prealgebra. If he can pass the end-of-year test (80% or more) for MM5, I'd start him in MM6a right now. Don't worry about grade level — trying to move quickly in order to "catch up" could come back to bite you on the butt later. Now is the time to make sure he's really really solid on concepts like fractions/decimals/percents/ratios, integers, exponents, factoring, etc. before he moves into algebra, otherwise he'll always feel like he's barely keeping his head above water. Better that he get through Algebra II, with a really solid understanding, by 12th grade, and take precalc in college (or CC) than flounder through Precalc or Calc in HS without really "getting" any of it.

 

Jackie

[Corraleno]

I'm not sure that this is an accurate description. I have had 5 kids go from Horizons 6 to MUS alg with zero problems. They find MUS extremely easy even though they have never encountered any "pre-alg" other than the general math concepts in Horizons.

 

I would suspect the issue is more around the way TT teaches and transitioning from TT's approach to a different one.

:iagree:

Many of the more rigorous math programs cover concepts in 5th & 6th grade that MUS covers in Prealgebra, so most kids shouldn't have any problem transitioning from Horizons/Singapore/MM 6 to MUS Algebra. If there was a gap between TT Prealgebra and MUS Algebra, that just highlights how difficult it can be to transtion out of TT or MUS, due to their S&S being so unusual (and often "behind" other programs).

 

Jackie

[razorbackmama]

I think a child would have a really hard time going from MUS Zeta to Thinkwell Prealgebra. If he can pass the end-of-year test (80% or more) for MM5, I'd start him in MM6a right now. Don't worry about grade level — trying to move quickly in order to "catch up" could come back to bite you on the butt later. Now is the time to make sure he's really really solid on concepts like fractions/decimals/percents/ratios, integers, exponents, factoring, etc. before he moves into algebra, otherwise he'll always feel like he's barely keeping his head above water. Better that he get through Algebra II, with a really solid understanding, by 12th grade, and take precalc in college (or CC) than flounder through Precalc or Calc in HS without really "getting" any of it.

 

Jackie

 

Thanks! I totally agree with you there! He just took the test for lesson 21, so I may just go ahead and see where he places for MM. I know I've had to do a LOT of gap-filling with the other 3 that I switched from MUS, so I anticipate some with him too. But you're right - I'd rather him KNOW it and get through Alg. II than "sort of know" math and get through a course called calculus.