MUS vs. Rightstart

[Melinda S in TX]

Can someone compare these two programs for me? Which one would best explain the whys of math and not just the hows of math? My children have memorized the hows, but don't understand the whys. Now that I've figured out the problem, we need to fix it. It seems like these two programs are highly recommended for understanding math.

 

Does anyone have any other programs to recommend?

 

Melinda

[Misty]

I have used both and I prefer RightStart. MUS stays with the same topic all year long and burnout soon follows. RS mixes it up and holds interest well. Plus RS uses a variety of manipulatives so if the child doesn't get it with one, you can try another. MUS only uses the blocks (and later some other things like fraction overlays, etc.). RS is completely scripted, which is great, but it is a little teacher-intensive, meaning you stay with your child and teach the entire lesson. I see this as a good thing because you can monitor for true understanding and watch for bad counting habits.

 

That's all I have time for tonight... Here is another thread where someone asked the same question.... http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78112&highlight=MUS+Start

[MommyJo]

My children love Math U See. We haven't used RightStart but I don't feel it's too repetative and I definately don't think they only stay on one subject but then again we are on the first two sets. For once my children are understanding "the whys". My 3 year old is using Primer just for fun and my 5 year old is on Alpha. They both love the way Mr. Demme "puts things". You can see a sample on their website. I have never really heard any bad things about Math U See although I am sure there are plenty of people who don't like it. That's why I tried it and we LOVE it. I've even heard from adults who used the program to "relearn" math because they were taught the wrong way the first time around. Anyways, sorry I couldn't compare but just wanted to share a little I know about MUS.

[Harriet Vane]

I just adore MUS, and my math-phobe dd does as well. Originally we were doing Singapore math, but she hit a wall and just couldn't get past it. We switched to MUS and never looked back.

 

We like the fact that the books cover all of a topic in one year. However, the books each cover a few subtopics as well. For example, each book covers some geometry and some measurements along the way, and Delta (the division book) also covered Roman numerals. In our case, a spiral curriculum that jumps from topic to topic just meant that dd didn't have enough time with any given subject to really master it and know it well. MUS' focus on one big topic for a more extended time has been perfect for her.

 

We also feel that the video instructor explains things well, including why things work the way they do, and he makes great use of the manipulatives. The simplicity of this system is its strength.

 

I have not personally used RightStart so cannot comment much on it. However, I do have a friend whose child has thrived with it. In her case, her child is very artistic and a traditional math approach was very difficult for her to wrap her mind around. In her case, RS' graphics and multiple manipulatives have proven very helpful.

 

I think it will come down to learning style. You will need to carefully consider your own child's personality and learning style when choosing, because they both appear to be strong programs.

[Cynful]

I've used both with my children and we, too, prefer RightStart. We had started with Saxon which just took too long and my children weren't getting it. So I researched and it came down to MUS and RightStart. I decided on MUS. It went great for Alpha but by the end, my son wasn't getting it with the blocks and my daughter was soooo tired of worksheet after worksheet. So, here comes RightStart. :)

 

It's very similar to MUS actually, however, with the variety of the lesson plans and the variety of the manipulatives, it works better for us. I really can't give enough praise about their Abacus. Even my daughter, who got math easily and MUS was fine, has told me that the Abacus makes it much more solid for her. My son, who's always been behind because he didn't get it, is now catching up quickly and understanding, which has always been my number one goal.

 

HTH,

[yslek]

I think it depends on the child. I have one using each program. :)

 

B prefers MUS. He doesn't do well with clutterd pages or too much writing. He also does not intuit concepts. Once he's told how something works, he usually does OK with the practice. We used Miquon before I discovered MUS, and it was a HUGE mistake. It worked so opposite the way he does, and led to daily tears and frustration. :(

 

Since MUS was so wonderful for B, I started T on it. He hated it. He did not like that each page looked the same. He disliked practicing the same concept over and over. He's also very good at figuring stuff out on his own. RightStart has been a really good fit for him. It has plenty of variety and allows him to play with and enjoy math. His mental math skills impress me. I think the abacus is wonderful. I do wish it weren't quite so teacher intensive. :tongue_smilie:

 

I'm hanging on to both programs, as I have no idea what is going to work for the younger two. :D

[Aurelia]

Earlier this year I was trying to decide between MUS and RS. We went with RS and it has been wonderful. My daughter is very much a hands-on learner, and really enjoys RS. (Actually, we finished RS A 3 weeks ago and I was waiting until her birthday next week to start level B, but she started demanding :ohmy: :w00t: to do math a couple of days ago, so we are going forward.) Neither of us liked the videos that went with MUS and the blocks and worksheets, I feared, would be too boring for Ariel. I can't say I regret my choice in the least.

[DinoMom]

I tried both RS A and MUS Alpha and Beta.

We liked both actually. It took us 1.5 yrs to finish RS A. I think I can really get all the bucks out of RS.

Due to the solid foundation laid in RS, MUS becomes a breeze. We breezed past Alpha and Beta in 6 months.

If cost is a concern for RS, I think you might end up paying more if you choose MUS because it is actually very thin, 30 lessons per level. (RS has 70 lessons).

 

If to compare the contents and teaching method, I think MUS is very straightforward and easy to follow, whereas RS is more scattered. For example, MUS uses the concept of addition/subtraction fact sheet in Alpha. DD is excited because she could see how fast she progressed as she striked out the facts that she has mastered. If your DC loves to feel instant accomplishment, then go for MUS. RightStart teaches the same concept using different methods in every lesson. It might be slower, but the understanding is more solid. I find it easier to teach with the abacus and the RS-way of thinking while teaching MUS.

 

I think both are excellent programs! I like how MUS is laid out, but I like RS methods of teaching. But but, I also love how simple MUS presents the same concept. I think if you switch btw RS A and then MUS Alpha and then RS B and then MUS Beta, and so forth, you're going to get the best of both worlds.

Edited April 1, 2009 by DinoMom

[Lovedtodeath]

will someone add more tags?

 

My DD is very artistic and likes to figure things ou on her own. MUS looked great to me, but it almost ruined her in math.

[siloam]

Can someone compare these two programs for me? Which one would best explain the whys of math and not just the hows of math? My children have memorized the hows, but don't understand the whys. Now that I've figured out the problem, we need to fix it. It seems like these two programs are highly recommended for understanding math.

 

Does anyone have any other programs to recommend?

 

Melinda

 

Melinda,

 

I am not of much help because I haven't used MUS. I am using RS with all 4 of my kids and love it! Actually the more I use it the more I like it. It hands down works on why not just learning rote math.

 

Heather

 

[Terabith]

I'm working through RS B with my 5 1/2 year old. We're not quite but almost halfway through. I'm loving it, and she likes it as much as anything, tho she would prefer not to ever do any school, ever. We're playing the games to work on the facts, but she does not have them solid at all. I was wondering if it would be silly to take a break in between B and C and quickly go through MUS Alpha (and maybe Beta?) just to review and cement those things solidly. What does the Hive think about the idea? Silly? Unnecessary? Beneficial supplementary review?

[siloam]

I'm working through RS B with my 5 1/2 year old. We're not quite but almost halfway through. I'm loving it, and she likes it as much as anything, tho she would prefer not to ever do any school, ever. We're playing the games to work on the facts, but she does not have them solid at all. I was wondering if it would be silly to take a break in between B and C and quickly go through MUS Alpha (and maybe Beta?) just to review and cement those things solidly. What does the Hive think about the idea? Silly? Unnecessary? Beneficial supplementary review?

 

Have you been doing the Level B drill worksheets?

 

Heather

[Lovedtodeath]

 

I'm working through RS B with my 5 1/2 year old. We're not quite but almost halfway through. I'm loving it, and she likes it as much as anything, tho she would prefer not to ever do any school, ever. We're playing the games to work on the facts, but she does not have them solid at all. I was wondering if it would be silly to take a break in between B and C and quickly go through MUS Alpha (and maybe Beta?) just to review and cement those things solidly. What does the Hive think about the idea? Silly? Unnecessary? Beneficial supplementary review?

MUS did not help my DD solidify the facts at all. I would recommend you get an Abeka Speed drills book. 1 minute a day for a week and DD is doing better than ever. We were using MUS and Addition the Fun Way. Abeka's drills are really working. I am so pleased.

[Terabith]

We have done the drill sheets. I think my concern is how deep her understanding is. Certainly we need to get them memorized, but she seems to sort of stumble when asked questions like 6+3. She has a hard time remembering to subtract the one from the five and add it to the three to make nine, etc. She CAN do it, if I talk her through it, but she's just not solid. I guess my concern is really cementing her understanding and making sure she is rock solid on these basics. It just seemed like it might be worthwhile to supplement with a different spin.....MUS or Prof B or something. I think she's probably a bit young for Singapore, at least 1B. And she'll be six in November. Next year is technically her K year, and we're about halfway thru RightStart B, so I'm not that worried about her being behind. Just looking for thoughts......

[siloam]

We have done the drill sheets. I think my concern is how deep her understanding is. Certainly we need to get them memorized, but she seems to sort of stumble when asked questions like 6+3. She has a hard time remembering to subtract the one from the five and add it to the three to make nine, etc. She CAN do it, if I talk her through it, but she's just not solid. I guess my concern is really cementing her understanding and making sure she is rock solid on these basics. It just seemed like it might be worthwhile to supplement with a different spin.....MUS or Prof B or something. I think she's probably a bit young for Singapore, at least 1B. And she'll be six in November. Next year is technically her K year, and we're about halfway thru RightStart B, so I'm not that worried about her being behind. Just looking for thoughts......

 

My 7yo used to be like that. I didn't start her in Singapore till she hit 2nd grade.

 

What I did do was start doing worksheets with her every Monday, then playing games with her, particularly addition war with cards 5-9 every Thursday (we hs 4 days a week). That didn't leave us a lot of time to do more lessons, but she did gain fluency in doing higher level numbers quickly.

 

Heather

 

[Lovedtodeath]

We have done the drill sheets. I think my concern is how deep her understanding is. Certainly we need to get them memorized, but she seems to sort of stumble when asked questions like 6+3. She has a hard time remembering to subtract the one from the five and add it to the three to make nine, etc.

 

Well, why do we need kids to learn all of the tricks like this? If she knows how to add the numbers the traditional way I don't worry about the tricks so much. It is not necessary. Especially at such a young age. MUS does the same thing in Alpha for adding and subtracting 8 and 9. DD hates it.