BikeBookBread Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I'm in the process of picking Kinder math. This is my (irrational?) fear: I am TERRIBLE at math. I scored 95% in verbal SATs, and I won't even tell you my math score. Let's just say it was below 50%. Needless to say, my verbal score carried me into the U of Wash. Teaching math is the only part of HSCH that scares me. I want to build a good math foundation for my daughters from the very start. What math would you suggest? I'm thinking of Horizons, as it seems to be a good balance between engaging and repetitive/drill. I've looked at Miquon, MUS, Singapore and Saxon. At this point, I feel like I need to stay away from anything that relies upon parental knowledge! I know I wouldn't have a problem with Kinder math (ha ha ha!!!), but I'm thinking into the future. I want a program I can stick with and not have to switch out of when the going gets tough for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidlit Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieF Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Have a look at rightstart. We use it along with Horizon for review (alhough you don't need to do that) Stephanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misty Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 How about Right Start Math? I have used all of the popular programs and RS is the only one we've stuck with. I feel it's the best for elementary. And it's all scripted so you can't go wrong with it. http://www.alabacus.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 The elementary levels of Saxon make me crazy. I really like R&S's math series, which does not start until 1st grade, although some people do use it with 5yos. Also, Miquon is 1st through 3rd grade, too. Check this out: Mathematics Made Meaningful. You don't have to know anything about math (or Cuisenaire rods, for that matter). You and your dc can start together on the first task card, which is something like "Dump the rods on the table and divide them into piles according to color. Mess them up and divide them into piles according to size. Wow--they're the same piles!":D Ever so gradually you get into actual arithmetic, and it's painless and enjoyable and understandable. *Next* year, if you'd like to continue with a process-based math (i.e., one that uses manipulatives) you can go to Miquon; or you can go to a traditional math (like R&S or Horizons or whatever) and your dc will have an understanding of how things work mathematically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine State Sue Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I am a MUS fan. You may read my review in this thread. MUS may work well for you because: The DVDs can do the teaching. Although I would strongly suggest that you view them before and then with your dds. The approach is so systematic and incremental that it's nearly painless (except for multiple digit multiplication and long division which seem to be difficult no matter what). You can use it all the way through high school. One complaint that MUS gets is that it can be dull because it focuses on multiplication for most of 3rd grade for example. From the reviews I've read here, Right Start seems to be the most "fun" program. But, that's not exactly what I hear you looking for. Thus, my MUS recommendation. Finally, I have a degree in math and ds picks up math very quickly. What may work for us may not work for you. I do have a friend who is "math challenged" and she uses MUS on my recommendation. Her dds score just above grade level on standardized tests. FWIW. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Also putting in a plug for RS. I love that it teaches my boys skills to figure out problems instead of relying on the memorization of math facts. It is teacher intensive but you will learn right along with them! Then, go back and take that SAT and see how you do! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I like RightStart. We're only a little way through Level A, but I think it's great. I was going to use Singapore--was totally sold on it--but then I read about learning styles and decided Singapore wouldn't work for dd. Here's the learning styles site I used: http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/learning-styles.html Dd5 is Auditory/Kinesthetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 A plug for Saxon. Have your child take the placement test at the Sonlight site. Saxon is scripted, completely, but you can tinker here and there. If you are not confident, it's the way to go. You won't have to learn anything new (any "new" ways of doing math) like you might with MUS or RS. On the other hand, RS and MUS may help you feel more confident in your own math skills, as they have interesting and helpful ways of explaining math (Multiplication is "making rectangles," for example, in MUS). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikeBookBread Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Also putting in a plug for RS. I love that it teaches my boys skills to figure out problems instead of relying on the memorization of math facts. It is teacher intensive but you will learn right along with them! Then, go back and take that SAT and see how you do! :001_smile: :ack2: the thought of taking the SATs again makes me break out into a cold sweat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 We love RS here (we actually just finished the kindergarten level) and Ariel has learned so much, and enjoyed it. The best part is she likes math and really understands it! We tried several different programs before RS and all were miserable failures, mostly due to the rote way things were taught and the huge focus on worksheets rather than hands-on work. I would recommend RS to anyone looking for a solid elementary math program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfatherslily Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 RightStart has good samples on their site. http://www.alabacus.com/pageView.cfm?pageID=272 and see "Downloads" on the left-hand side. I'm in the same boat... not good with math at all and worried that I'll mess up my kids if I don't pick the right thing! My DD and I did a couple lessons in the RightStart sample and at first I thought it would be perfect. But as we did them, I found I didn't like the way it was set up for the teacher. And while my DD did fine, I didn't find that approach to really be a perfect fit for her. So the lessons were very helpful. Also, you can contact Saxon for samples. The scripting would drive me BATTY. I just couldn't do it. But many people love it! So we're going to play with cuisenaire rods and we've just started Singapore EarlyBird. I don't have any advice for choosing, but thought you might find the samples helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowWhite Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 The only program I have loved so far for math is Bob Jones University Math. The materials are so inviting and colorful, the lessons so solid and easy to present, the concepts so well developed, and so much is offered for review if needed (teacher decides what to assign). I just could rave on for months about this program. A big plus in my book is that if I feel the need to supplement my instruction in later years, BJU offers a DVD or Streaming lesson program with teachers that is highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runamuk Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I really like MUS. My son is 4 (almost 5) and is working on Primer. He really enjoys watching the videos and using the blocks. He's picking up numbers and the concept of place value pretty quickly, something I thought would be difficult for him to learn. My daughter just started MUS Delta. I agree that Gamma was all about multiplication, but she really needed the work and the drill. I think she has a strong base for division and I know she's gotten very good at her mulitiplication tables. Gamma also teaches area, perimeter, measurements and prime numbers. Math isn't one of my stronger areas and I love that the videos do most, if not all, of the teaching. And there's the TM to help with any extra needed explanations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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