Math-U-See Upper Levels

[joannqn]

I've noticed that no one seems to use Math-U-See at the higher levels. Is there a reason?

 

Math-U-See is working wonderfully for us so far. DS7 is using Gamma right now and DD9 is using Delta. I think sticking with a single curriculum (especially in math) at avoid gaps from different sequences is important, as is sticking to what works. But I'm wondering, is there a reason no one seems to use it for the higher levels (ie. pre-algebra and on)?

 

My daughter neither likes nor is gifted in math so I'm not worried about her going really far in math.

 

My son, on the other hand, loves math and seems to really understand it so I want to make sure I do the right thing for him.

 

I know a lot of people like Singapore but I tried that with my daughter and I couldn't wrap my head around it well enough to teach it. It's just too different from how I learned math.

[musicianmom]

No answer here, but I'm looking forward to reading what people have to say about this one also. Admittedly, we're just getting started with math, but we LOVE Math-U-See. I can't imagine ever switching!

[JennW in SoCal]

We gave up on Math-U-See in Algebra.

 

One of the things I had loved most about the program, especially with my learning-challenged oldest, was having a workbook with big blank spaces for working out problems. The workbooks solved the issue of having to copy over problems, a task that quickly used up whatever mental energy he had, leading to too many careless errors. It was great too that we could skip pages when a concept was quickly mastered. I didn't always teach concepts in the same way that Math-U-See does -- their division of fractions, for instance, seemed awfully tedious with so many steps. But I had figured we would stick with it through high school.

 

I gave up on the program in Algebra when we got to the section on graphing equations. The explanations weren't helping me any but the worst offense was the workbook. Suddenly the pages were more cluttered AND multiple equations would have to be plotted on one graph, making it messy and distracting.

 

I personally LOVE Foerster's for algebra and Jacob's for geometry (his algebra book is good, too.) I used a combination of things for "pre-algebra", from Math-U-See to the "Keys To" to other miscellaneous workbooks. I don't think you have to worry too much about gaps when switching curricula -- you can find those fairly quickly and fix them.

 

I think Math-U-See at the higher levels isn't used perhaps because it is a frustrating program for people who are required to use standardized testing. Math-U-See is very linear, with a slow and steady progression of concepts. The standardized tests in contrast are geared towards state public education standards which require such a scattering of concepts starting in 5th or 6th grades such as probability, algebra and geometry -- concepts which Math-U-See covers, but not as early as the state standards mandate. I believe in Math-U-See's approach, but it is so disheartening to a kid who is doing well in math to then face a math test and not know the material.

 

Anyway, if it works now, stick with it and don't worry about it. You can look for something different when and if it stops working.

[Storm Bay]

There are a couple of people who have used this on the High School Board. I personally like SM, but if you don't, then I'd look for something else.

 

We like MUS in the lower levels, but my eldest, who did not do MUS or much SM (she used Saxon once she came home from ps except for most of SM 6) is doing Dolciani Algebra 1 (an older one) and Gelfand's. We have a used Foerster's on the shelf for reference, and many people like that one.

 

If MUS is working for your non-mathy dc, I think you could stick with it. There is a MUS Yahoo group, I think it's Yahoo, where you may get help on that. However, I don't think I'd use it for a mathy child, but I prefer a rigourous Algebra program.

[kloumc]

I just have to jump in and say that I think Math-U-See is GREAT for the upper levels! We used it from the very beginning when my daughter was in kindergarten right up through MUS's Pre-Calculus book. I've got two other kids following in the same path. My kids have always scored high on standardized tests and my oldest daughter scored very high on the math portion of the SAT. I remember when our oldest got to the 7th grade, and I started looking around for another program. Yet, I just couldn't find anything that I like nearly so well as MUS! It was working well for us, so why change? We've not regreted it to this day.

[Dani n Monies Mom]

Math U See has recently made some major changes to their upper level books, I believe they will be available in April. You can go to the website to check out a video by Demme that explains the changes.

 

A major change was to include complete solutions for all the problems from pre-algebra and higher, they combined the honors book with the regular book, and the binding has completely changed. No more comb binding. I think the teacher book in hardback and the student book will be 'perfect binding(?)' with perforations for easy tear-out.

 

With these changes, I'm looking forward to checkign out the upper levels of the new editions. I hope they have them at the fair in April.

 

Ava

[WTMindy]

Well, my opinion, as a high school math teacher is that from Pre-Algebra on it is just not a very rigorous program. That isn't to say that some won't do well with it. I like Steve and I like his approach to math-it is very systematic, but he does not include the more difficult types of problems (solving equations with ugly fractions, etc). The problem solving is not very high-level. I really like Math-U-See in the lower levels, and I think that it is a good introduction type curriculum, but it doesn't go super deep.

[DinoMom]

thanks ... i'm holding bck whether to buy the upper levels

[kloumc]

Mindy,

May I ask what your top recommendation is for upper level math (Algebra on up)?