Math U See Pre- Algebra vs. Mr. D Pre-Algebra

[hands-on-mama]

Which would you pick for a struggling math student? A big part of me says Mr. D both for learning accountability and the tutoring. Thoughts?

[sweet2ndchance]

Honestly neither?

I wouldn't move a struggling student on to pre-algebra until I had addressed the areas of basic math that they were struggling in. I would go back and address weak areas with something like Math Mammoth or Keys to... or some other topical math until their foundational math skills were solid.

Is this your child? Is your siggy correct? Are you considering this for your oldest daughter?

 

 

[hands-on-mama]

I’m not sure what my signature has in it. I wouldn’t be moving her on if I didn’t think she was ready. I mentioned struggling because math has always been hard for her. It’s not her best subject, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t worked to fill the holes and such. She definitely does not need one of the more advanced programs out there though. I’m not sure what my signature currently says actually. 

[hands-on-mama]

4 hours ago, sweet2ndchance said:

Honestly neither?

I wouldn't move a struggling student on to pre-algebra until I had addressed the areas of basic math that they were struggling in. I would go back and address weak areas with something like Math Mammoth or Keys to... or some other topical math until their foundational math skills were solid.

Is this your child? Is your siggy correct? Are you considering this for your oldest daughter?

 

 

Ha! I had no clue my signature was that old. I can’t see it on my iPad anymore. I think I got it updated. My oldest is 13 1/2 now. She has most recently done Math U See Zeta and some more firming up of the basics and more decimal work together. She is pretty solid now. She still forgets some of her times tables though, which slows her down. Also, she is prone to dazing off (even on meds) and forgetting where she was In problem. That has gotten a ton better though. Trust me, we’ve tried everything to memorize multiplication facts. I won’t keep holding her back for that though. 

[sweet2ndchance]

3 minutes ago, hands-on-mama said:

Ha! I had no clue my signature was that old. I can’t see it on my iPad anymore. I think I got it updated. My oldest is 13 1/2 now. She has most recently done Math U See Zeta and some more firming up of the basics and more decimal work together. She is pretty solid now. She still forgets some of her times tables though, which slows her down. Also, she is prone to dazing off (even on meds) and forgetting where she was In problem. That has gotten a ton better though. Trust me, we’ve tried everything to memorize multiplication facts. I won’t keep holding her back for that though. 

I wouldn't hold her back for just multiplication facts either. Some kids just can't memorize them which is why I don't stress over memorizing facts. Instead, I make sure they have strategies for figuring out the answer, no matter how long it takes them to do it. Is that the only area where she struggles? I agree with you that she just needs a basic, at-level pre-algebra course.

If MUS is what she is used to and it is going well for her, I would just keep going honestly. Even if it isn't her favorite subject, if MUS is getting the job done then I wouldn't rock the boat, KWIM?

On the other hand, when making the jump to algebra, that is a good time to switch programs if you want to try something else to see if you can get better results. I don't have any first hand experience with Mr. D like I do with MUS, but if it sounds like it might be helpful for your dd in a subject she doesn't love, then now might be the time to make that change.

[hands-on-mama]

11 hours ago, sweet2ndchance said:

I wouldn't hold her back for just multiplication facts either. Some kids just can't memorize them which is why I don't stress over memorizing facts. Instead, I make sure they have strategies for figuring out the answer, no matter how long it takes them to do it. Is that the only area where she struggles? I agree with you that she just needs a basic, at-level pre-algebra course.

If MUS is what she is used to and it is going well for her, I would just keep going honestly. Even if it isn't her favorite subject, if MUS is getting the job done then I wouldn't rock the boat, KWIM?

On the other hand, when making the jump to algebra, that is a good time to switch programs if you want to try something else to see if you can get better results. I don't have any first hand experience with Mr. D like I do with MUS, but if it sounds like it might be helpful for your dd in a subject she doesn't love, then now might be the time to make that change.

Have you used MUS all the way through? How did you feel about the upper levels if so?

[sweet2ndchance]

1 minute ago, hands-on-mama said:

Have you used MUS all the way through? How did you feel about the upper levels if so?

No sorry I haven't used it all the way through but I have used it in the lower levels and looked at the upper levels in person. I would have no problem with a student who was not likely to enter a math-heavy field using it through high school though based on what I've seen. I've known quite a few students who used it all the way through and while it is not going to serve say and engineering student very well it served students in non-math fields just fine.