Country Girl Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Someone here peaked my interest about MEP math. I had successfully avoided looking for a long time but finally caved;). It looks like fun and I think my 6yo ds would love the short and to the point worksheets, the fun activities, and especially the variety. I've been printing out the practice pages to supplement our current program (BJU) but got to thinking..... is it MEP really complete, could I just use MEP? We test to meet state requirements.... is the scope and sequence similar to the ITBS testing so he would be prepared for those? I looked for a program this year that I liked as well as BJU but without all the teaching in the TM (I've come to dread looking at that thing). I couldn't find anything I liked as well so decided to just stick with BJU. But now I'm wondering if maybe MEP could be an alternative? I realize the teaching is still in the TM.... but are they as time consuming and cumbersome as the BJU TM? For anyone who uses it as a complete program... how much teaching time do you spend? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 I have state standards and using MEP 1 as a "1st grade" math, MEP doesn't keep up with my state standards. But that is because MEP goes into such depth working with the numbers. Since I only use MEP as a supplement, I don't do every single exercise per lesson or every lesson. I did at first, just to get into the swing of it but now I'm compacting. I try to keep MEP lessons at least 30 minutes because I have a very mathy big girl and anything less = meltdowns. Which MEP year are you looking at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Girl Posted August 9, 2010 Author Share Posted August 9, 2010 I have state standards and using MEP 1 as a "1st grade" math, MEP doesn't keep up with my state standards. But that is because MEP goes into such depth working with the numbers. Since I only use MEP as a supplement, I don't do every single exercise per lesson or every lesson. I did at first, just to get into the swing of it but now I'm compacting. I try to keep MEP lessons at least 30 minutes because I have a very mathy big girl and anything less = meltdowns. Thanks for the feedback. Since you are just using this as a supplement, do you use the TM or do you just do the practice books? Which MEP year are you looking at? I've printed out most of YR 2 practice book and think it looks like a good fit level-wise for my son. Last year my ds asked a lot of questions that took us quite a bit beyond the scope of his BJU books so many of the topics in MEP are things we have touched upon but haven't taken to a mastery level. So I think they'd be challenging but not too hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Thanks for the feedback. Since you are just using this as a supplement, do you use the TM or do you just do the practice books? . I do use the TM because my big girl likes the little games. Plus there's some script in the TM so it helps when explaining stuff to her. I'm not very mathy so I like the help. I had Year 1a Lesson plans and practice book printed and bound at Staples for a little less than $25. It was worth every penny! MEP 1b was about $30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Girl Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 I do use the TM because my big girl likes the little games. Plus there's some script in the TM so it helps when explaining stuff to her. I'm not very mathy so I like the help. I had Year 1a Lesson plans and practice book printed and bound at Staples for a little less than $25. It was worth every penny! MEP 1b was about $30. Thanks, I think I'll take a closer look at the TM. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 I realize the teaching is still in the TM.... but are they as time consuming and cumbersome as the BJU TM? For anyone who uses it as a complete program... how much teaching time do you spendI can't compare it to BJU, but we spend no more than the allotted time in the Lesson Plans (and usually less), unless we're having a lot of fun with an activity. Year 1 lessons run about 45 minutes. And yes, it is complete. Browse through Y6 to get a feel of where it ends up. It's very reassuring. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Girl Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 I can't compare it to BJU, but we spend no more than the allotted time in the Lesson Plans (and usually less), unless we're having a lot of fun with an activity. Year 1 lessons run about 45 minutes. Thanks for the info on lesson time, I appreciate it. And yes, it is complete. Browse through Y6 to get a feel of where it ends up. It's very reassuring. :) Actually, this is one of the first things I checked out and was impressed enough to dig deeper:D. However, I have a hard time judging math programs so I appreciate your input. Moira, do I remember correctly that you have used Mathematics 6 (Russian Math) as well? If so, how would you compare MEP to Mathematics 6? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Moira, do I remember correctly that you have used Mathematics 6 (Russian Math) as well? If so, how would you compare MEP to Mathematics 6?The language of Mathematics 6 very much tends to that of formal math. MEP is precise in use of terminology from the beginning, but is (for lack of a better term) more readily accessible; concepts are also often presented in a number of different ways. Content-wise, there's little (if anything) in Mathematics 6 that isn't covered in MEP through Y6. If I'd known about MEP when going through with my advanced eldest, I would have used it instead of Singapore... well, I'd add in CWP no matter which program we were using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Girl Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 Thanks again Moira. The more and more I keep looking at the MEP stuff, the more and more I'm liking it. I'm afraid to give up the BJU because I know it follows state standards and will keep us on course for testing. However, I love the depth I'm seeing in MEP and know my ds would like the setup. I'll probably stick with my plan and start the year with BJU as our core and supplementing with MEP but I could see us changing things later in the year to make MEP the core and supplementing with BJU to keep on track for testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rootsnwings Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 We're using MEP as a supplement to singapore math and my ds9 absolutely LOVES it!! He's working in 3B/4A right now, and the online worksheets are great!! I don't print anything, just tell him which online worksheets to choose and he thinks of it as more of a math "game" than work. :) ETA, I even love MEP myself, lol!! I have been known to stay up finding him a "good one" for the next day--he loves any type of mind bender and a lot of the more complex problems are right up his alley! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Girl Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 We're using MEP as a supplement to singapore math and my ds9 absolutely LOVES it!! He's working in 3B/4A right now, and the online worksheets are great!! I don't print anything, just tell him which online worksheets to choose and he thinks of it as more of a math "game" than work. :) ETA, I even love MEP myself, lol!! I have been known to stay up finding him a "good one" for the next day--he loves any type of mind bender and a lot of the more complex problems are right up his alley! :D Ohh, I haven't checked out the online worksheets yet.... I'll have to do that!:thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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