Miquon vs. Right Start?

[vaquitita]

I'm trying to pick a math program for my wiggily little 5yo boy who will start kindergarten pretty soon. What I used with my older two when they were little I don't want to reuse (MEP, Singapore). Nor do I want to use what they are in now, MUS, because he isn't ready for that much writing. I think he needs something more hands on and interactive for the next couple years at least.

 

I've been looking at Miquon, I love the c rods. The books start out simple enough, but really get into some abstract concepts, which makes me think these really are better for grades 1-3. I'm also unsure if I'll be able to figure out how to teach these things, because there isn't a lot of teacher help. And yes, I've read all three books. The lack of daily lesson plans is a deterrent.

 

I've also been looking at Right Start. The laid out lesson plans and open and go nature of it are definite pluses. The things I'm using now that are really working well are all open and go, whether scripted or not, the next lesson is clearly laid out. Wih the daily chaos reigning in my house, I need to not have to think about what to do next. And RS fits this. But I know it's very parent intense. Now I expect to have to do math one on one with him for a few years (and I don't expect any more babies, otherwise I wouldn't even consider RS!), but I won't have 45-60 minutes of uninterrupted time just to spend on math. At some point (4th? Grade) I may need to transition him to something more independent. Is it even worth starting RS if I know I'll only be using it for 2-3 years? Another downside to me is the sheer variety of manipulatives used in RS, but that's minor.

[Farrar]

I think you've summed up much of their pros and cons pretty well. I'll toss in a couple of other things to consider...

 

A lot of people do RS for just 1-2 years and say they didn't regret it but also didn't want to continue because of the parent intensive issue. So it wouldn't be crazy to do it short term.

 

While RS is scripted and parent intensive, Miquon has a learning curve and a lot of parents end up spending time reading the First Grade Diary, watching the Education Unboxed videos, etc. learning how to implement it and make it work. So the time might end up being similar, though it might not - depends.

 

I think Miquon is better for grades 1-3, but I think Orange is fine for kindy. I wouldn't worry about going through it slowly.

 

Overall, I'd say that Miquon Orange is a slightly more relaxed option and that RS A is a slightly more intensive option.

 

 

 

 

[vaquitita]

How would it work to once a week watch an education unboxed video and then play with that activity the rest of the week? it could be teacher training, math play for him, and give me laid out lessons all at the same time.

 

When using Miquon, I'm assuming you teach the concept with the rods ala education unboxed First? Then give them the worksheets?

[vaquitita]

Ugg. I've been leafing thru the Rs 2nd edition level B manual... It does look good. Much less jumping around in each lesson than level A has. But I do find myself thinking I would teach certain things with the c rods instead. Lol. And the lessons do look long...

 

Ok, I'm trying to step back and imagine using it with THIS kid. I think that the variety of activities and manipulatives in each lesson will be rather a distraction to him. And he so often adds his own games to whatever we are doing, I might never get thru a RS lesson. And he will play with everything. C rods are meant to be played with, the abacus not so much. I'd be willing to bet he would prefer the rods over the abacus too. Thinking about him, rather than which program is 'best', is probably he way to go here.

 

I just hope I can make Miquon work, despite the lack of lesson plans. Miquon users, how do you schedule the work? What does a typical day look like?

[Kiara.I]

You don't have to complete a lesson every day with RS.  Many parents do 20 minutes and then stop, wherever they are in the lesson, and then pick up and go on the next day.  So you really don't need to set aside 50 minutes solid for math.

[3 ladybugs]

Shiller would be 25 minutes a day at that age. It is kind of sort of like Right Start but not. It is hands on, but the lessons are easy to work through. The concepts start off small and I could see them being used in K rather easily. I am actually wondering if I will start them with my youngest around age 4. My older son started at 6 with them and they were good for him. 

 

When looking at Shiller, just know that there are 2 versions. The first version has all the manipulatives and everything needed for 3 years of math. It is all hard copy except for some student worksheets (which have minimal writing) and the lesson builder which is online. The second version is much cheaper ($99 for 3 years worth of math) and is online version or downloadable. It includes things that can be printed off for manipulatives. Others you can find things to work around your house. 

[Sarah0000]

I don't schedule Miquon at all. I keep the book out for DS to play with at will, and sometimes I grab it for use too. We choose whatever sheets interest us at the time. I'm thinking of making it more structured next year, but I would just choose sheets for whatever we're working on at the time or what needs review.

[barnwife]

We are only a month into officially using Miquon (before that we just did free play with c-rods and math as it came up in life).

But I don't schedule it at all, other than do math 3 times per week. I pick out sheets I think he'd be interested in/ready for. When it's math time, they always start with free play with the c-rods. I stay close by to observe. Sometimes their play gives me an idea of something to cover that I hadn't planned on. Sometimes we just talk about things they discovered and never get to any lab sheets. Usually though, after 10ish minutes of free play, I ask which sheet he wants to do (out of 2 or 3). And I let him go to it.

He always seems to know what to do/what he wants to do with the sheet.