Math U See?

[starlein26]

Anyone here using this program? What are your thoughts if you are?

Thanks!

[dotnetdiva]

We got halfway through MUS Primer. It is a popular choice, which is why I chose it myself. The DVD taught things so I could take a break. But... each day, both my daughter and I dreaded doing math. I didn't like her associating the number 8 with a chocolate bar (brown bar). This program wasn't for us.

We've since fallen in love with Right Start, which is more our style. I love how it teaches my daughter to think in terms of 5s and 10s and the lessons are a bit different everyday. There is no boredom. Plus, it emphasizes fun games! My daughter now says that math is her favorite subject (some days it is spelling though).

I also have Singapore Math, and someday I'd love to use this as a supplement and then move into Singapore when we've finished RightStart.

[CariOfOz]

I've got one doing primer and one using Beta. They both really love it, the dvd lessons are quick and explain things well. Even though it's designed for the parent to watch, we watch it together and the boys like Mr Steve. They both really grasp the ideas well using this (we used singapore when my 8yo was 6 and he didn't retain anything it seemed!) DH was a bit concerned about them getting dependent ont he blocks, but my 8yo does about 90 % of his without using them.

[jlpumkin]

Another big thumbs up here. MUS isn't the program that I thought would be best, but it has definitely worked wonders for us. DD came home from school just completely math phobic and convinced she couldn't learn math. We took a step back and did Alpha and now are working through Beta. She actually loves math now and is excelling. We also watch the videos together and then work through a few examples together just for clarity. And I had the same concern about dependency upon the blocks as the above poster, but also have found that the blocks have been used in processing the lesson but quickly fall by the wayside. She's very independent now.

[elus0814]

We're using primer now and began it while DD was still four. It starts of really simple. Just counting 0-19. I like the blocks and feel they help a lot with making concepts feel concrete while avoiding the flashy complicated manipulatives I have seen in some other programs. I don't mind the colors at all and my daughter has never talked about the brown one as being chocolate, it's just brown. I like the dvd but the lessons at the primer level are too short for me to walk away and do something else during. Many are less than two minutes and I don't think any are over five so I just stay with her. It's good for me to see how they present it in the dvd, I think it helps me teach it. We have done several lessons without the DVD and for the primer level I wish we had skipped the teacher's manual and dvd bundle (the only way to get either) and just bought the student book. I like that there is lots of review but I don't like how each lesson is six pages, it forces us to do the last review page on Saturday or break up the lesson. I have no idea why they didn't leave it at two review pages rather than three to make each lesson fit neatly into a five day 'work week'. I suppose we could just skip the last page. Anyway, the other annoying thing is that the blocks come in a cardboard box and are difficult to keep track of and keep organized. After several months we splurged and bought the completer set and wooden storage. They are wonderfully organized now but that would have been a really big investment to make all at once. The wooden storage set is nice since I took and hour and a half to sand it (the wood was splintery at first) but I don't see why it costs $40, I suppose it's such a specialized product but it's still really pricy for what it is - as are the hollow plastic blocks. We plan to continue using it, I like how it's not organized as 'kindergarten' or 'grade x'. It would be really nice for a child that is a bit behind so they won't feel like they are doing work below their grade level - unless they understand the greek alphabet! The only major downside, which made me think twice about it, is that levels alpha and above (not primer/kindergarten) are mastery, meaning it's not the same 'survey of math basics' followed by more in-depth information the following year as most schools use. This could be a problem if a child moved into a school setting or lives in a state that requires testing.

[dotnetdiva]

I really wanted that wooden box, but didn't want to fork out the money at the time. Here's an inexpensive alternative:
http://satorismiles.com/2009/08/21/m...completer-set/

As for the color chocolate, hehe, I didn't mean that specifically irritated me, but I didn't like her associating numbers with colors at all. She started just coloring the workbook based on the number of blocks without even really thinking. We were to the point of not even using the blocks much though, so I suppose it doesn't really matter. Now they are in storage, perhaps they'll work better when I'm a more busy mama and have a child who likes the workbooks.

[Nitenites]

We're using MUS after using Miquon, Horizon, and Shiller. MUS, hands down, is our favorite. I have two children using MUS: one Alpha, one Gamma.

We start each lesson with a video. Usually the video lesson introduces some mnemonic device or fresh way of looking at a concept that I hadn't thought of. Then we start on the workbook page. Each lesson offers 5-6 pages of workbook practice, plus a test. (The tests are in a separate book.) The workbook pages for each lesson are "lettered" so lesson 26, workbook page 3 would be page 26C. Pages A, B, C, and D are usually review of the lesson. Pages E & F are usually a cumulative review. If my son has mastery of the concept after one workbook page, then the next day we do the last workbook page for that lesson; we skip most of the tests. (Why do I need to test him? I sit across the table from him and know if he has mastery!) Then we move on to a new lesson/concept the next day. If he needs additional review, there are additional workbook pages available on the MUS website.

You're going to find manipulatives in most elementary math curricula. Children at that age often (not always) need concrete representation of abstract ideas to internalize the concepts presented. (Just like counting on your fingers!) It's normal, and it doesn't mean that children become dependent on plastic rods to do math. If that were true, most of us would need popsicle sticks to balance our checkbooks!

We really like MUS. The video lessons are very helpful, the online workbook pages and drill work are valuable, too.

I just asked my 9-year-old why he likes MUS, and he said it's because Mr. Demme is good at explaining, and he has plenty of practice to get it right. He thought that the other programs we used expected him to understand concepts right off the bat.

[elus0814]

I should add that I have never asked DD to color in the book. It don't feel it's needed at all and it might be tough for kids to dissociate a color with a number after coloring it that way hundreds of times.

[MamaMonica]

We're using MUS Beta and Delta and it works well.

[PJsmomma]

We've used MUS since Kindergarten--so our 4th year.
My son LOVES math.

I'm very happy with the program.

We only use the DVD if I don't understand what he's doing. It works pretty well that way.

I do have my son do each page just because I know it can't hurt him. He usually does 2 pages per day and the test at the end of the week.

I used to let him go through it much faster, but I prefer to do one lesson per week.

[scheelimama]

We love it! We've been using it for about a year. We tried Rightstart Math first and it wasn't for us. DD1 just finished primer a few months ago and started Alpha after Christmas. DD2 just started Primer after Christmas, she's already 10 lessons into it and enjoying it. I do have them color in the blocks, and dd1 does every page, math is a challenge for her. DD2 does only a few pages each lesson so far and skips a few if she knows the material well. I intend to stick with it for quite awhile. It's working well for us.