Horizons math? also question about R&S math 3.

[fenni]

What can you tell me about this? A friend recommended it because it continues with workbooks instead of switching to a textbook like Rod & Staff and Saxon. My son is not ready to write out all the problems and I am not spending my time doing that. I figure R&S is cheap enough to write in, but that didn't work so well for him either.

 

Our embarrassing history of math:

Kindergarten: Rightstart

1st grade: MFW 1st

2nd grade: Singapore

3rd grade: Rod & Staff 2 at a faster pace then started 3 at the end of the year

 

He really liked Rod & Staff, which makes me wonder if Horizons would be a good fit since it is spiral. He seemed to thrive on the repetition of R&S even if he didn't need it all. I cut some out because I wanted to move through it faster. I'm tempted to just stay with Rod & Staff, but what do others do if their child isn't ready to write it all out on paper? I was thinking of switching to Saxon 54 because I would rather use something less teacher intensive, but again the textbook issue.

 

Please tell me about Horizons even if it isn't a fit for this child as I have other children too. Do you buy the entire package? or just the workbooks? I was looking at the samples and the color really appealed to my kids.

 

thanks.

Edited August 17, 2010 by fenni

[apple4]

Have you checked out Christian Light Publications. They use a workbook and it is spiral. I am trying it this year with our 3rd grade girls. We used RS prior to this. Amy

[dm379]

This is our first year using Horizons, we've been at it for almost 2 months. I bought the workbooks and teacher's guide. The teacher's guide has a lot of activities that aren't in the workbooks. Plus there's a bunch of worksheets in the back.

 

Ds was getting frustrated with doing the same problems over and over of stuff he already knew so I started telling him only to do every other for certain parts. Dd had just finished 3rd grade making straight A's at a ps and I had to start her off mid-3rd grade with Horizons so either the school was behind or Horizons is ahead.

[MaMa2005]

I started with Horizons K and am up to using Grade 4 this year. I love it and so does DS. I will stick with it until there aren't any more books to complete because I know I won't have any gaps in his math instruction.

 

Horizons does run ahead of the level listed on the book. I have seen anywhere from half a year to a year and a half ahead.

 

There is lots of repetition, but if you know your child has mastered a concept, omit some of the problems. However, because of the repetition, DS really has a solid foundation and understanding of the math concepts presented.

 

DS also likes that there are numerous riddles and puzzles to solve. Makes math a lot more fun.

 

I only bought the workbooks. However, I am a retired teacher and someone who doesn't like TEs unless absolutely necessary.

[momofjep]

My 3rd grader writes in the R&S 3 book. We started it at the beginning of the summer and there was no way he was going to write the problems out. We're going through it quickly, currently on lesson 60 something, so that we can also do Singapore.

[mschickie]

Horizons is alot more colorful that R&S and that appeals to alot of younger children. Horizons does have a tendancy to be ahead of some other Math programs so it is important to do the placement test. It is a spiral approach so to get the full benefits of that type of approach kids should complete all the problems even if it does seem repetitive. There is a method behind that madness.

 

We are using Horizons 3 this year. Although it starts off with a bit of review I find that is great for building confidence and for me to find out where dd needs a little more practice. Dd really does well with this program. Most days Math takes about 1/2 hr for her unless she is playing around (looking at the window, playing with the cat....).

[MissKNG]

I like the more tradional scope and sequence of Horizons (we have state requirements) and it does "run ahead" - I've heard about 6 months.

 

In regards to the repetition, we've skipped exercises and entire lessons.