Need Favorite Math Curriculums

[dandelionmom]

I need to find a math curriculum for my youngest who is 7, something hands-on and manipulative-based. I would love to know what works for everyone...

[Lisa1970]

I used manipulatives with my program, but they are not really written in so you probably won't like what we use.

For manipulative based that others have liked, I would say Right Start or Math U See. Wish I could help more!

[koru]

We love Math-U-See but I heavily researched RightStart, as well. I ended up buying the MUS curriculum & the RS math games which is a good combo for us.

What I love most about MUS is that my girls quickly understand the concepts and for me, it's easy to implement because there's a video with Steve Demme teaching it. We sit down, watch the 5 minute video segment together, I answer any question and/or emphasize things I feel are important & then a few worksheets are done with the math blocks. RS requires about a 15-20 minute parent prep & the lessons take about 20-30 minutes. Call me lazy , but I wasn't prepared to do all that & I wanted a program that we could stick with! RS seemed a bit too manipulative heavy for me, as well.

So yes, look into both. You can actually google "Math-U-See or RightStart" & many links will come up!

[yippityskippity]

McRuffy Math. It uses games, pattern blocks, tangrams, counters, etc. in almost every lesson. It's very easy to teach. There's rarely more than 5 minute prep (usually no prep at all, beyond quickly reading the TM). My kids both love this program.

[sierramv]

We have been using RightStart Math for 2 years (DS is now 8) and we love it.
It is manipulative and game heavy. It is extremely easy to implement and requires very little prep work.

Good luck!

[tankgirl73]

I'm another HUGE RightStart fan. I'm not sure where koru gets the idea of a 15-20 minute parent prep! Some lessons require you to copy and print out a page or cut out some shapes, etc, but only some of them. Otherwise the prep is just going over the lesson to make sure you understand what's happening, and gathering the materials.

The lessons themselves can take 20 minutes or more, but if it's too much you can always split it into multiple days or whatever works for your family. Some lessons are quick, some are long. All are fantastic.

We got into RightStart "late", when DS was... um... almost 11 I think. We'd done lots of elementary math but nothing 'stuck'. We jumping in to RightStart level E (Transitions first of course), which he finished and is now doing RS middle school Geometry and also pre-algebra and Life of Fred.

But the experience was enough to totally convert me to the method from the beginning. So DD (almost 4yo) is doing RightStart A (nice and slow, she's keen and math-y but still little), and while we'll probably use other math resources along the way in ADDITION to RightStart (eg, even now we're doing some Cuisenaire rod activities, we'll do Life of Fred, I've got some "Math in Real Life" workbooks, Math Mammoth when extra practice is needed in particular areas, etc etc) -- RightStart is our core and the foundation of my mathematical pedagogical philosophy.

[koru]

Originally Posted by tankgirl73

I'm not sure where koru gets the idea of a 15-20 minute parent prep!

I have a couple friends who use RS & this is what they've told me. :

[sleet76]

We use Right Start, and I do really like it. It does take more of my time than some other programs would--It is something that i have to do with the kids and not just get them started to do on their own most days (occasionally my older, focused kid can follow through with a few problems on her own, but much you do together). My first time through the curriculum with my oldest, I needed a minute or two to scan the lesson and make sure i had all the materials out--occasionally I'd need to make copies of the workbook page for the day, or cut out some shapes. But most days I just scan over the day's lesson and get started. Most of the lessons do take 15-25 minutes each, and we do split them down (the text suggests 2-5 days for some lessons)--there are only 100-110 in the levels I'm familiar with, so there's lots of time to split things down even if you are keen on keeping one level to a year of school. (which we're not)

I do really love the progression and manipulatives in RS math, and I believe my kids are really "getting it" and thinking math instead of just memorizing or stumbling through the rote procedures, like I did in learning it. Happily (or sadly, depending on how you look at it) my OWN mental math abilities have improved greatly in teaching my DD this way, and she is just starting 2nd grade. I expect to be a bona fide math genius by the time we're done with RS.

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by koru

I have a couple friends who use RS & this is what they've told me. :

Yeah, I'm not really sure what they are talking about! It takes me about 3 or 4 minutes tops to prepare (read the lesson, collect the requisite materials, make copies).

[dandelionmom]

Thanks guys for all of the input! I would particularly love to know if any of you have used Saxon. If so, likes? dislikes? It seems very thorough, like it covered everything without any gaps...

[AngelBee]

We use Math-U-See as our core and really like it. My son was having trouble with spiral curriculums and MUS, which is mastery based, has really helped his confidence. I love that is has DVD's which helps me teach 4 different levels at one time. i also like that is goes all the way through high school if we choose to stick with the program.

[MrsJewelsRae]

It doesn't have tangible manipulatives, but we use Teaching Textbooks and LOVE it! My ds LOVES it, he loves math anyhow but with TT he begs to do math on weekends, and is currently going through 2-3 lessons a day. It frees up some time for me to prepare for other subjects which require more of my involvement, such as history or science, etc. Also, gotta say, their customer service is awesome (gotta love those Southern folks). It came highly reccomended from several moms in my hs group, some who's kids love math and excel, and others whose kids dislike math and struggle with it but do well with TT. They have a nice website that your child can putter around on to see if you like it and where they fit. GL!

[crunchy_mama]

WE use RSB and he enjoys it AND is learning. Especially the games and such. RS of course is known to be manipulative heavy, they learn a lot through manipulatives and games. Prep time really isn't very much, few minutes maybe, depending on the day.

[MyFullHouse]

Originally Posted by dandelionmom

Thanks guys for all of the input! I would particularly love to know if any of you have used Saxon. If so, likes? dislikes? It seems very thorough, like it covered everything without any gaps...

My girls and I did not like Saxon K or 2 (the levels we tried). They dreaded the boring black and white sheets.
Instead, they've LOVED Calvert Math (we've used K, 1st, 3rd and part of 4th so far). The manipulatives factor is carried over onto the worksheets, which is especially good for my ADD/dyslexic/dysgraphic dd. Both girls have done really well with it, but it's definitely very expensive compared to other programs ($125 a pop).

That's not to say that Saxon is bad. My 12yo did Algebra 1/2 last year, and is doing Algebra 1 this year, and he's doing great. But he likes straightforward instructions and exercises.

I do hope to switch my girls over to Saxon eventually, but Calvert is what works best for them right now.

[425lisamarie]

I think I've mentioned it in another thread, but I myself used Saxon math from Algebra on and did VERY well. I do not like the elementary math but it's just not our style. I plan to look into it for DS when he gets to algebra though.

Right now we are using math Mammoth. I LOVE it. It is self teaching,cheap, and readily available for download and you can print/reprint/use for all your children. She also has alot of good information and resource help. I really can't say enough good about it.

eta: i just read you want manipulative based....

this still is a great program. We use alot of manipulatives WITH it, like the tens unit blocks, money, clocks etc. Even if we don't do all the worksheets it is a great way to see what you should be covering, and then you can teach it however you like. Sometimes we do things outloud if it's a review thing, or he will do the work on the white board. I've even photographed the white board for "proof on paper" for myself

[Starflower]

subbing. We're also looking for something with hands-on math for our 7 year old (who currently thinks she can't do math).

We're looking into MUS and RS right now, but we'd really like to hear what Miquon users have to say as well.

Thanks!

[LemonPie]

We're using Math Mammoth. It's not really manipulatives based, but it's very easy to incorporate them. They recommend an abacus, but we've been using the little counting bears and I've found a Judy Clock to be extremely helpful for the math section in 2A.