Opinions on Right Start Math Card Games

[CaitlinC]

Hi,

 

I am thinking of buying the Right Start math card games to use over the summer with my dd, and wonder if anyone has experience using these. I would like to go over some of the math subjects that my dd did not master this year at ps. For example, the class is doing multiplication and fractions (grade 2), but she does not know all of her addition and subtraction math facts yet, and she is slow at doing sums and tends to make errors. She loathes worksheets and anything where there is time pressure, but she likes games and manipulatives. My main concern is that her confidence in her abilities in math is low. That being said, the right approach could nip this in the bud. She came home on cloud nine yesterday, after a guest teacher ("an angel who came to teach us") explained fractions to them and she was apparently able to answer "the hardest question that no one else in the whole class could guess!". So I think the main goal is to review and build confidence by doing fun activities that reinforce the basic skills for grade 2. Or maybe I should buy RS Level C and go through it at her pace? Or something else entirely?

 

I am starting to confuse myself, so I'm going to stop here.

 

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[Spy Car]

Hi,

 

I am thinking of buying the Right Start math card games to use over the summer with my dd, and wonder if anyone has experience using these. I would like to go over some of the math subjects that my dd did not master this year at ps. For example, the class is doing multiplication and fractions (grade 2), but she does not know all of her addition and subtraction math facts yet, and she is slow at doing sums and tends to make errors. She loathes worksheets and anything where there is time pressure, but she likes games and manipulatives. My main concern is that her confidence in her abilities in math is low. That being said, the right approach could nip this in the bud. She came home on cloud nine yesterday, after a guest teacher ("an angel who came to teach us") explained fractions to them and she was apparently able to answer "the hardest question that no one else in the whole class could guess!". So I think the main goal is to review and build confidence by doing fun activities that reinforce the basic skills for grade 2. Or maybe I should buy RS Level C and go through it at her pace? Or something else entirely?

 

I am starting to confuse myself, so I'm going to stop here.

 

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

The RightStart games sound like a natural fit for you and your child. They are a great way to reinforce skills in a fun way.

 

The directions (and dizzying number of variations) can be a little daunting. You might want to look up the YouTube videos the RightStart author, Dr Cotter, has posted for some of the most popular games, as they are often easier to follow than the written instructions.

 

Personally, I am a fan of Primary Mathematics Standard Edition (aka Singapore Math) as an afterscholling program, but different people have different preferences.

 

Another popular program on this forum is called Math Mammoth, which some like for being written to the student and being somewhat more incremental than Primary Mathematics.

 

Math-in-Focus is yet another Singapore style program.

 

Bill

[kiwik]

I like Math Mammoth though it overdoes the practice for my child. However it is probably too workbooky for you child unless you do it orally or on a white board. From what I have heard right start games are pricey. You can do a lot with standard cards and a selection of dice - standard dot cubes, 10 sided with nemerals etc.

[wapiti]

I was under the impression that some of the RS games could be played with a regular deck.

 

Here's a video of Go to the Dump

 

- one could make the right deck using cards from a couple of standards decks, no? Or use index cards?

[CaitlinC]

Many thanks for the feedback. The other programmes look interesting too and I see on their websites that they have placement tests, which could be helpful developing a focus. I like the idea of devising my own games, this may be just fine for our needs. I just remembered that we also have a game called Shut the Box, which is great for addition.

[ack25]

We loved the right start math games! I used levels B-D/part of E with my mathy son and used the games over the summer with my not-so-mathy dd along with Saxon drill. I did need to call the RS people a few times to clarify instructions. Good luck and have fun!

[Kerileanne99]

Another option for a fun game-based mastery:

 

http://www.gigglelearn.com/index.html