CLE or Math-U-See....Please help me decide

[cam112198]

I have been using CLE for 5 years. My dd10 started with CLE when she was in 1st grade. My ds8 just started CLE last year in 1st grade. My dd6 tried CLE, but it did not work for her. We are using MUS for her.

 

I'm tempted to switch everyone over to MUS. My ds8 gets math, but dd10 is having a hard time grasping long division. I wonder if MUS offers more of an explanation to the "whys" and, maybe it's a good thing to completely master something before moving on to a new concept? What do you guys think? It drives me nuts that I'm undecided. How do you think CLE compares to MUS? Part of my problem is that most of my homeschooling friends either use MUS or Saxon. I don't know anyone, except on here :), that uses CLE....and I start to question myself. Silly, I know. So, what would you guys do? Decide for me! :-)

[Arboreal TJ]

I teach concepts the MUS/Mortensen way. I bounce between Singapore and MEP as a spine. You could stick with CLE and use MUS to teach the concepts. eBay is great for cheap old MUS TMs.

[Mom22ns]

If CLE is working well, I wouldn't recommend switching, but if they are struggling... MUS does offer strong explanations of why things work. I think it is an excellent curriculum through the elementary levels. The only catch is that it is hard to switch to, and even harder to switch away from MUS because their sequence is so different.

 

I started with MUS for one child and when the other struggled with a concept MUS taught well, I started supplementing, then ended up switching to MUS. My oldest will probably stay with MUS all the way through Calc. My younger switched to Lial's this year.

[cam112198]

I teach concepts the MUS/Mortensen way. I bounce between Singapore and MEP as a spine. You could stick with CLE and use MUS to teach the concepts. eBay is great for cheap old MUS TMs.

 

 

So, you think I could stick with CLE and then when someone struggles with a concept, I could watch that lesson with the child and then work through a few problems? For example, dd10 is struggling with long division. Could I just find the lesson in MUS that teaches that one concept, work on it for a few days, and then continue with CLE?

[cam112198]

The only catch is that it is hard to switch to, and even harder to switch away from MUS because their sequence is so different.

 

 

 

That is what I've heard. That is why I want to be absolutely sure!!

[boscopup]

Long division is a common sticking point. It's probably not the curriculum, but the kid. Sometimes kids need some time for it to sink in. Have you tried working at the white board and dividing a long number by 2? That makes the actual calculations easy, but gets them used to using the algorithm.

 

I would not switch curriculum over long division, personally. CLE has been working otherwise, correct? Just add in what you think might be missing, and keep going with CLE for that child.

[Arboreal TJ]

 

 

So, you think I could stick with CLE and then when someone struggles with a concept, I could watch that lesson with the child and then work through a few problems? For example, dd10 is struggling with long division. Could I just find the lesson in MUS that teaches that one concept, work on it for a few days, and then continue with CLE?

 

 

Yes! Crewton Ramone has a great webpage with lots of great videos. He uses Mortensen methods. Steve Demme of MUS was trained by Mortensen, the methods are the same. I like getting old MUS TMs for Steve Demme's sequence of mastering math facts. He teaches kids to think instead of rote memorizing.

 

Crewton Ramone's webpage (I have a password and feel it is worth well worth it)

http://www.crewtonramoneshouseofmath.com/division.html

[Mommy22alyns]

What about some Khan Academy videos?

[cam112198]

Long division is a common sticking point. It's probably not the curriculum, but the kid. Sometimes kids need some time for it to sink in. Have you tried working at the white board and dividing a long number by 2? That makes the actual calculations easy, but gets them used to using the algorithm.

 

 

Thank you, Boscopup! I have not tried that, but what a great idea! Thanks for your suggestions!

[cam112198]

What about some Khan Academy videos?

 

A friend was telling me about this the other day. I haven't checked it out yet, but I really need to. Thanks for the suggestion!

[cam112198]

Yes! Crewton Ramone has a great webpage with lots of great videos. He uses Mortensen methods. Steve Demme of MUS was trained by Mortensen, the methods are the same. I like getting old MUS TMs for Steve Demme's sequence of mastering math facts. He teaches kids to think instead of rote memorizing.

 

Crewton Ramone's webpage (I have a password and feel it is worth well worth it)

http://www.crewtonra...m/division.html

 

Thank you!! I will check it out!

[dereksurfs]

We have used both MUS and CLE and I would *not* recommend swtiching because of long division. There were areas with MUS which were not being retained for our dds which improved with the use of CLE. So we switched from MUS to CLE for two of our three children. The S&S are quite a bit different. I would agree with others in supplementing instead at this point. When a difficult concept is encountered hearing things from 'another' perspective can really help clarify what is being taught. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. You will find this to be even more true as your dc start moving through more advanced topics. There is no need to change programs each time something difficult is encountered or it doesn't quite make sense. We use Khan and AoPS to suppliment algebraic concepts being covered in ds11's TabletClass Pre-A program and that works great. There is something to be said for consistency, especially when other things have been working fine.

[julikins]

I agree with supplementation as well. The differences of the two are so stark, that you don't want to change your whole approach unless it's really not working as a whole. I've heard of people using the MUS videos as lunch-time entertainment for their kids. Level 4 (Delta) is the MUS division year. Maybe having him watch through that series. Or, find the videos that address the issue he is having. But Steve Demme just builds step by step into the process of division and it makes so much sense. My oldest has always used MUS except for now which we are using MM to supplement on fractions for a while. My youngest uses CLE and is really thriving. So I think it really depends on what your child needs.