RightStart and/or Miquon

[SundayCrepes]

We're unschoolers and I believe in delayed academics. However, it seems like a good idea to have math manipulative hanging around the house in case my 4.5 year old is interested in trying them.

I'm wondering about using RightStart and/or Miquon. Has anyone used both? Did you like one over the other? Would it work to try both?

[kgianforti]

I would think Miquon is more "unschooly" than RS. We have Miquon and my big girl really enjoys playing with the rods. BUT, we also have the AL Abacus from RS and she likes that as well!! If you get Miquon, check Rainbow Resources as their prices are cheaper and if you can get any of the books as "bargain books", do so. I got a bunch of bargain books and they were all in excellent condition.

ETA: if you just want manipulatives, some hits at our house are the pattern blocks, pan balance, linking math cubes and the c-rods and AL Abacus.

[dotnetdiva]

I know tons of people who love and use both RightStart and Miquon. Miquon does seem more unschooly and open. This is the second time I'm looking at it, I am wondering if we could use their discovery-based methods once a week. We already use RightStart as our main math program. It's more easier for me to implement than Miquon, as it has it all laid out for me.

[SundayCrepes]

Thanks. I don't mind a "curriculum" if my son is interested in it. If he's not, then it's just manipulatives he can play with (and my contribution to stimulating the economy lol.)

So, you think you could use both and not confuse the kids? I figure try both and they'll gravitate to whatever their learning style is, whether it's one of the programs or no program at all.

[naturegirl7]

I am trying to decide this myself! Very similar situation too - we are doing the child led thing here - basically unschooling and feeding whatever current thirst for learning topic he has going. He is finally getting into a math mindset and I want some great "play" based math resources/programs for him. He is really independent and likes learning thru discovery vs instruction.

Lots of people recommended RS, but I think we are going to go with a combo of Miquon and Math U See. RS is defintely really hands on and looks like lots of fun - but it seems like you need to instruct before being able to play the games. Not sure that would work for us personally right now. I really liked the MUS demo, and more importantly so did DS - it is the ONLY thing I showed him that he got excited over. I like that he can play with the blocks and learn as we are playing - may not use the workbooks much, but that is just fine with me. I also like that he will learn not just addition, but the basics for algebra and other higher level maths (he is trying to do geometry on his own at the moment and annoyed over the basic math LOL). I also am expecting the Miquon orange and red books in the mail shortly - will let you know how that goes. Heard they are really discovery based.

Check out the WTM forums. Definitely NOT unschooly at all - and some of it make me cringe (like talking about kids crying and fighting thru lessons). but they have a GREAT For Sale forum - lots of Miquon and RS stuff for sale right now for super prices. That is where I got my Miquon books, and I am stalking for a MUS Alpha program.

[naturegirl7]

another thing - from an unschooly mindset - what we have had laying around/playing with until this point.
I have an abacus that honestly has gotten no use.
Counting bears, again no use, but he saw counting Dinos and got excited over those, may need to invest in those cuz he will creative play with those dinos.
Uno cards. I skipped the kid version - just took out the "special" cards and have been slowly adding them in as he gets stronger.
regular cards
DinoWar I think it what it is called - a Dino based card game that involves counting and dueling off.
Dominos - great for matching, also can be used for Domino math (add/subtract/etc the 2 numbers on a domino)
Rulers and tape measures
Measure cups/spoons, lots of helping in the kitchen
His piggy bank and saving to buy himself books. (also use this as funds to replace things he breaks while "experimenting" like the nightlight in a sinkful of water LOL)
Pokerchips
Unifix counting cubes - he is currently in love with these! We are working on making some index cards with our own made up word problems on them cuz he really likes words problems (2+3 annoys him, but make it a word problem and he is all about it - needs a frame of reference to be interested)
Regular wooden building blocks and duplo blocks
Dice and Dice games like Yatzee (sp?)
Other board games that involve counting, play money, logic, etc

It really is amazing the amount of math we use/teach in every day life!

[dotnetdiva]

I think you (like me when I first started) are simply set upon using MUS. When people first start homeschooling, that's the most popular math program. It's the exact opposite of unschooly in my opinion, but hopefully you'll like it! I know there's some people that use it all the way through.

WTM forums are super informative. They host all kinds of homeschooler types, from unschoolers to Charlotte Mason to unit studies to yep classical. Not everyone is classical, and lots of people are eclectic, as I am myself. I see tons of MDC members there. As for kids crying through lessons, I see that here on MDC just as much. I don't notice it on WTM actually, but then again they have thousands of posts everyday, I must not open the ones you're seeing. Either way, super strict, mean parents are not the norm on any forum I frequent.