Help with upper level math for non-math ds

[Suzybearybake]

We have been using MUS and this approach seems to be working so far but I am unsure what to use for upper level math.:confused:I am NOT a math person so this would have to be taught via CD or DVD. Chalkdust and Videotext are way out of our price range.:drool: My dc have used Saxon w/Dive and LOF but these are not good choices for my other son. He is dyslexic and would hate the extra reading for math. He tried Saxon in the past and did not have enough exposure to each kind of problem to cement the concepts. We would have to reteach most of the page everyday.:banghead: This leaves us with MUS or Teaching Textbooks. I have heard that neither of these programs is as good at the upper levels. TT's Algebra I is weak and most of the concepts are not covered until Algebra II. I have also heard that they do not use correct terminology so kids are confused when they hit these concepts in college. I have heard that MUS is not explained as well and covers less material than courses by other publishers at the upper levels. I was told that the honors supplements were absolutely required to make it come any where close to competeing with other courses. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with any of these programs? Is MUS that bad at the upper levels? If not , it would be my preference. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Bewteen MUS and TT which is a better choice?

[Veronica in VA]

I asked this question about geometry back in May or so. One person who had used both felt that MUS was more comprehensive than TT. I am using the geometry now and I do like it. It doesn't have as much in the way of proofs as TT, but I'm ok with that. I'm not sure how MUS algebra was - we used Math Relief for Algebra I and II.

 

Veronica

[Lori D.]

Our younger son is mildly dyslexic and very "right-brained" or what is now referred to as a "visual spatial learner". I found Linda Silverman's book "Upside Down Brilliance: The Visual Spatial Learner" helpful in seeing his strengths and gifts, and in trying to see school programs through his eyes to figure out how to address his weak areas. Also, Cathy Duffy's "100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing The Right Curriculum And Approach For Your Child's Learning Style" is very helpful for matching up programs with a child with learning needs.

 

 

Specifically re: our math journey with our younger son. Grades 1-4 were a struggle (4 different math programs in 4 different years), as he really didn't have the brain maturity in the math areas, so math never clicked for him until 5th grade, when we found MUS. We've used MUS for the past 4 years, and supplemented with Singapore specifically for the word problems and to help him learn how to think through setting up a math problem.

 

This year he is 9th grade and will be doing Algebra 1. I'm going to attempt to have him do Jacobs Algebra, which is very gentle and incremental, and has a real life example to open every lesson to help connect the Algebra concept to real life usage (this is very important for my son as a VSL -- to have a "big picture" to start with). We also have MUS Algebra for supplement. If Jacobs really bombs, we can just go with the MUS and try using the Jacobs and the NEM1 that we have from older son as supplement.

 

 

One thing I have tried to keep in mind now that he is entering high school is to consider the "big picture" for him for life after high school. Will his interests and abilities require a more "thorough" math or not? And what are our goals for him, specifically in math? In other words, I am trying to be realistic about what math does this child really NEED for where he may he headed in life. At this point, my goal is to make sure he understands the math he'll need for real life. Hence, the word problem emphasis from my viewpoint; we will also have him take a Consumer Math so he will understand budgeting, insurance, taxes, etc. Also, it is helpful to remember that his brain will have had more time to mature through high school, so whatever math he may need to take in college (if he is college-bound) may not be as much of a struggle for him then as it was when he was younger.

 

And a final encouragement to you: a friend has a son with Asperger's. He is off-the-charts brilliant with computers -- but he could not get through Algebra all the way through high school. He was in a private school, and tried it every year and just could not get through it, even with tutoring and other different helps. He did great with Geometry. The school finally combined all the attempts at Algebra and called it Algebra 1 and graduated him. He is now working and taking some college computing courses. He's managing just fine and making a life for himself, even though he doesn't connect with Algebra. : )

 

 

And one last thought: don't completely toss out the idea of Chalkdust or another math due to expensive if you really think it will connect well with your son. You can often find those expensive math programs used:

- ebay

- WTM swap board = http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10

- Homeschool Classifieds = http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/'>http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/'>http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/'>http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/

- VegSource = http://www.homeschoolclassifieds.com/

 

 

Below are some past threads on MUS and high school levels of math. BEST of luck in finding what works well for your son! Warmest regards, Lori D.

 

 

- MUS at upper levels?

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31607&highlight=MUS

 

- MUS for high school?

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41647&highlight=MUS

 

- Math: Still Struggling

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37172&highlight=MUS

 

- Help! Deciding on Algebra 1 turning my brain to jello

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30378&highlight=MUS

 

- Algebra for global/right-brained child

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25521&highlight=MUS

 

- OK, have to ask, why NOT MUS?

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22620&highlight=MUS

 

- MUS users who have high schoolers now

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4855&highlight=MUS

 

 

And I found this thread to be very helpful and encouraging for my own coming to balance my son's learning issues, with his gifts and strengths, with thinking ahead about college or not college... Anyways, Nan's posts in this thread was very meaningful to me. Hope it will encourage you as well. : )

 

- How do you handle a high schooler who really struggles with independent learning?

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2848&highlight=MUS

[Mandy in TN]

My oldest ds is dyslexic. After a hodge-podge and dragging him through Alg1, we tried TT Alg2 and he did fine until halfway through the book and then he just bombed. He had seen the early info in other sources, but once new material was presented it did not go well. We dropped Alg2 and did MUS Geometry. It went fine, but I have heard that dyslexics do better with Geometry than Alg. We started over with Alg2 and used MUS. It went fine. This June after his 10th grade year and almost finished with MUS Alg2 he made an 18 (He needed a 19 in math to qualify for dual enrollment math.) on the math section of the ACT. This places him in the 41 percentile, so about 59% of test takers do better. Not a good score, but it is probably an accurate assessment of what he is able to do in a timed situation.

 

If Chalkdust and VT are too expensive, this may not be an option, but I wanted to share what we are doing. While I do think that MUS gave him a foundation, this ds is just not quite ready for dual enrollment college algebra. He started Kumon math in the spring and is currently working in Level H (primarily linear equations). Whatever he completes in Kumon, I know he owns. This Tuesday we went to see a math tutor who does tutoring specifically for the ACT math section. He will take the ACT again in Dec and hopefully qualify for math dual enrollment for spring of his 11th grade year. In TN our 2-year and 4-year institutions have transfer agreements, so the goal is to have him take all 3 semesters of his math requirements before he actually starts college.

 

Bottom line: I do feel that MUS gave my ds a solid foundation. He did the work; he understood it; he didn't feel stupid- all good things. I do recommend it to others with the explanation that it isn't the strongest math program and MUS Alg1, Geometry, and Alg2 will not be the only math that my dc do in high school.

 

HTH-

Mandy

[JFSinIL]

You could always keep on eye out for VT or Chalkdust on the sale baords, usually about half-off the new price. Then you can resell it yourself again, to get some more $$ back.

 

I used VT with my ds - and I never took algebra, hate math - yet watching it with ds, I UNDERSTOOD it!!!!! I heartily endorse VT for a non-math person!

[Mandy in TN]

I used VT with my ds - and I never took algebra, hate math - yet watching it with ds, I UNDERSTOOD it!!!!! I heartily endorse VT for a non-math person!

 

We tried VT for Alg with my dyslexic ds and he did not do well with it- no idea why.

Mandy

[Jan P.]

Hi,

 

I think if you have been using MUS all along, then I would simply keep doing it. I have used TT Algebra 2 with my ds. We were butting heads together doing math, so I bought this course so he could do it independently. He made mostly A's in the class. The next year I put him in a dual enrollment Intermediate Algebra course. He made A's in that course. I know many folks say that TT isn't rigorous enough. It might not be, but once the student goes through TT they know their stuff!! It sticks!

 

I hope you figure out what to do.