Choosing a math curric. Is going to kill me

[Coco_Clark]

I'm still trying to figure out the best math program for my son. Background: he is a (young) kindergartener but advanced in math. He just plain "gets" it and tested into the Math-u-see gamma and Singapore 2a. I on the other hand struggle with math. I'm also dyslexic which often throws a wrench in my teaching as I swap numbers unaware. Numbers are much harder for me for some reason than letters. On top of it all, have two little ones, so not much time to study and prep before lessons. My husband excels at math, majored in math in college, and considers math the most important subject-- he wants a rigorous, conceptual, strong understanding of math for our kids. But he realistically could only find time to teach one day a week, so I'm going to have to provide this!

 

I am falling in love with MUS because the video instruction look very clear, and don't have to be done by me. We can watch together and then my son can do the work. My husband is concerned its not rigorous enough, and a bit "plug and chug". He thinks our son may get bored because the program seems designed for less mathy kids, or that he won't get a deep understanding. He prefers Singapore. But I am concerned that it will take too much prep work for me to be able to realistically understand and teach it.

 

Are either of us off base in our assumptions? I'm beginning to form a plan to use MUS 4 days a week with my son, and then day #5 he can do LOF with his dad. It would be fun for both of them, and perhaps assure my husband that his understanding of math is both stable and deep. Do you think that is a good idea for elementary years? We can reasses as he gets older and into more advanced mathematics.

[wapiti]

What if you use MUS but supplement with SM CWP? Or supplement with something else? I also suggest postiing on the Accelerated Learning board. I vaguely recall someone posting (I don't remember where) about accelerating with MUS.

 

When he's finished with second grade math, consider Beast Academy. Alternatively, you might look at MM - it has it's share of aspects to consider that I don't have time for right now, but it is Asian-style math and open-and-go.

[Dahliarw]

I'm not mathy at all. But I follow the lessons as set forth in the HIG and I can teach it, with minimal prep work.

 

The other option is to have your dh teach math when he is home.

[TracyP]

You could try on the accelerated board or PM SerendipitousJourney. She (and there may be others) accelerated MUS w/ a very mathy little boy. From what I've seen, MUS will give your child a good conceptual understanding. OTOH, it is known as a program that has easy word problems and not a lot of deep thinking. Adding something like LOF or CWP would balance it out.

[jessj]

I think the MUS and LOF combo sounds really good.

 

I totally understand where you are coming from. I have a mathy kid and I am not mathy at all. We have used both MUS and Singapore. I like both for entirely different reasons.

 

I know someone who does a combo of MUS and Singapore. She has them start with MUS and after they do 1-2 of the first worksheets, she will give them the test. If they get 100% they move on. So they wiz through MUS pretty fast. MUS can be repetitive for a kid who "gets" math. After they are done with MUS they move on to Singapore for the rest of the week. So the MUS does most of the teaching, and the Singapore does the mental exercises. If you can afford to buy both I think this could be a good option.

 

Singapore also produces a word problems only workbook. I may use this to add in with MUS for my non-mathy kid just to give her a little more challenge outside the MUS structure. I have a feeling I will settle into a MUS and Singapore combo for my more mathy kid like what my friend uses.

[Ruby Rose]

Check out Miquon! I just bought the full set and think I'm in love! I bought is for my son (who is like yours) but now plan to use it for both. It covers everything: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, factoring and squaring. Most of these are taught starting in the very 1st book. I'm definitely impressed and hoping this will solidify some things for my rising 3rd grader.

 

Our current math is Math Mammoth, for which I'm pleased. I tried MUS with dd in 1st, but she thought the teacher was boring and preferred to play with blocks vs do math. However, this year I incorporated the blocks in MM and she liked it.

 

Miquon looks revolutionary to me. I think your DH would approve.

 

I think your son would bore of MUS.

Alpha and Beta are all addition and subtraction. Gamma is all multiplication, and Delta is all division.

[Five More Minutes]

I agree with the suggestion to post this on the accelerated board. Others who frequent that board have accelerated MUS and would be able to give you ideas for doing that.

 

Have you had a chance to look at the Singapore HIGs to get a sense of how much prep work you would need to implement it? I find them very open-and-go, but admittedly I'm comfortable with math (although not necessarily with Singapore's approach!).

 

LoF on Friday with Dad could be fun. As an idea, you could also use those days for the Challenging Word Problems, which are wonderful, if you'd be more comfortable handing those off.

[Coco_Clark]

What if you use MUS but supplement with SM CWP? Or supplement with something else? I also suggest postiing on the Accelerated Learning board. I vaguely recall someone posting (I don't remember where) about accelerating with MUS.

When he's finished with second grade math, consider Beast Academy. Alternatively, you might look at MM - it has it's share of aspects to consider that I don't have time for right now, but it is Asian-style math and open-and-go.

 

I am keeping an eye on beast academy. I wish it were finished! It looks great.

 

 

I think the MUS and LOF combo sounds really good.

I totally understand where you are coming from. I have a mathy kid and I am not mathy at all. We have used both MUS and Singapore. I like both for entirely different reasons.

I know someone who does a combo of MUS and Singapore. She has them start with MUS and after they do 1-2 of the first worksheets, she will give them the test. If they get 100% they move on. So they wiz through MUS pretty fast. MUS can be repetitive for a kid who "gets" math. After they are done with MUS they move on to Singapore for the rest of the week. So the MUS does most of the teaching, and the Singapore does the mental exercises. If you can afford to buy both I think this could be a good option.

Singapore also produces a word problems only workbook. I may use this to add in with MUS for my non-mathy kid just to give her a little more challenge outside the MUS structure. I have a feeling I will settle into a MUS and Singapore combo for my more mathy kid like what my friend uses.

 

 

I agree with the suggestion to post this on the accelerated board. Others who frequent that board have accelerated MUS and would be able to give you ideas for doing that.

Have you had a chance to look at the Singapore HIGs to get a sense of how much prep work you would need to implement it? I find them very open-and-go, but admittedly I'm comfortable with math (although not necessarily with Singapore's approach!).

LoF on Friday with Dad could be fun. As an idea, you could also use those days for the Challenging Word Problems, which are wonderful, if you'd be more comfortable handing those off.

 

 

Hmm quite a few people are suggesting the challenging word problems to supplement. I will look into this and x post on the accelerated learning board. Thanks everyone!

[MyLittleBears]

Math in Focus, from my understanding is singapore math with a bit more "hand holding" provided in the TMs. The price difference is a bit steep compared to SM, however.