MathUSee users-some questions

[neveryoumindthere]

more and more it's looking like math-u-see will be our core math program..but I wanted to ask some questions first..

1. does the teaching dvd have any background music or other distractions in it?

2. Is the review of primer taught on the alpha dvd? in other words, do I have to get the primer?..she knows how to write her numbers 0-9--like she'd be confused to write 11 or 23, counts to 50--theoretically she could count past 100 (she just forgets the names of the 60,70,80,90), adds, subtracts simple questions..
Is there enough review in alpha to skip primer? (but I'd still like some instruction as I forget how to teach the very basics-ie. base 10: so am wondering if the alpha dvd will cover those topics again briefly)

3. do I have to buy those particular base 10 blocks..if not, can u recommend another set that is the same/similar that is cheaper? I'm puting in an order at rainbowresource.com VERY soon, could any of their sets work?

any help would be appreciated.
thx in advance!

[LilyGrace]

1. does the teaching dvd have any background music or other distractions in it?
No. It's a classroom set up, with the video on the teacher the whole time. He'll ask the kids in the class some questions and you can sometimes hear them, but usually just him. It's more meant to help the parents teach, but my 8yo watches it with me.



3. do I have to buy those particular base 10 blocks..if not, can u recommend another set that is the same/similar that is cheaper? I'm puting in an order at rainbowresource.com VERY soon, could any of their sets work?


Subtraction is done by turning the blocks over, so it would be good to have ones with holes on the bottom or are different on the reverse side. It's based on the Montessori sets, so if you were to change to a different set of blocks you should probably look for the same colors, especially if using the dvd with the child. But by doing so, you can expand to use things like the checkerboard and stamp game (Montessori resources) if more practice is needed.

Sorry, can't help with question 2. We started with Gamma.

[joandsarah77]

1. Have you seen the demo dvd? It just has Steve demi at the black board in front of a young audience who he asks questions of sometimes.

2. Primer is simply an introduction for young kids who need more practice at recognizing 0-9 and who are not yet ready to learn maths facts.
Everything of importance is gone over again in Alpha. She sounds ready for Alpha to me, so yes you can skip Primer. This is what Alpha consists of- http://www.mathusee.com/alpha.html

3. As to the manipulatives, you really do need there’s. The underneath sides are hollow and used for subtraction. The colours correspond to the number. You can get away with only the Starter set though. You could try looking on Ebay or other second hand home school curriculum board. Although MUS does seem to keep it's value, so if you look after yours you know you can sell them for a good price once your finished with them.

[reeseccup]

The only thing I'll add is that, no the primer isn't needed.

Also, for my oldest(15), he doesn't and has never used any of the manipulatives, he doesn't feel the need.

My younger 2, just "play" at the MUS, with dd8 occasionally opening the books, (we're very relaxed and child led). She mostly prefers to watch Steve with her piece of paper and does the problems he does. She uses the blocks for stacking, not so much for MUS stuff.

If you intend to do it more instructionaly and follow the "books", then I'd say it's worth getting the blocks (ebay for cheeper). But really, if $$ is a factor, I'd say make your own "blocks" with construction paper or something.

[alima]

We started with Delta, so I can't help on the Primer question, but pps have covered that already.

I bought Math-U-See after trying a few other "fun" type programs that ds hated and found distracting. The dvd's are very straightforward, classroom set-ups, as LilyGrace said. My ds likes that there is no distractions on them. He's found them very useful, and likes the way Steve Demme explains things very concretely. You can order a copy of the demo dvd free from the Math-U-See site. It came very quickly and is exemplary of the other dvds I've seen.

Ds has not used the block set much, but when he has it's been absolutely priceless. Ds has struggled a lot with the simple, concrete concepts of math for years, which is why we started with delta, even though he was 13. I've tried many other programs and approaches and this is the only one that has worked with him. I was leery of the manipulatives at first, ds tends to find things like that distracting and confusing, but they are so well used in the program, he's been able to use them very easily. Later years (which will we be doing for sure) use inserts in the back of the blocks for decimals and algebra, and there's an overlay set for fractions. If you think you're going to use the program all along, get the blocks. I

'd suggest getting the demo dvd first, and looking at how the program is used, before investing (it is a very pricey program, but it's been gold for us,) and even if you do decide to buy Alpha, you may not need their manipulative blocks for a long time.

[neveryoumindthere]

I did order the demo dvd but the more I read the more it seems like it will be a great fit..I'm also ordering some singapore books for her to do here and there 'for fun'..like i said she loves numbers (just like her mama)

[neveryoumindthere]

hope this isnt a dumb question..does the american version use the metric system?

[neveryoumindthere]

does anyone know if the (American) primary or alpha version has anything having to do with measurment at all? I am tryin to decide if i have to get the canadian version just yet or if i can just buy the american for now if they dont use measurement
(Canadian versions do use the metric systems while the American uses the "imperial" system)

[alima]

I'm in Canada, so I don't know if we got a Cdn version or if the US version does metric too. The website does say that Metric conversions are covered in the Zeta level.

I'd recommend contacting your local rep.

I wouldn't worry too much about metric, though, it's an incredibly easy system to learn, and there are lots of websites, workbooks, etc, that you could use to cover it.

[skaterbabs]

I have a question on the other end of the spectrum:

We're very likely going to use MUS for our middle schooler & preschooler, has anyone used it for an adult? I'm planning on going back to school myself in a couple of years, and would prefer to spend my money on MUS or similar programs vs. paying the university for remedial math. :

[alima]

I've never used it specifically for myself, but I am looking forward to actually learning algebra this time around with ds, unlike the first time around in high school, when my grade 10 algebra teacher actually told me to drop math because I'll never need it as a secretary (grrrr!)

The video portion is set up for parents to use, not the kids, to learn how to teach the material, so it's very usable for adults (not cartoon characters, only the odd bad joke ) The workbook is laid out very clearly and plainly, and the teacher manual explains the concepts very clearly. I've often thought that even if ds wasn't going to do advanced math, I would want the high school levels, at least Algebra 1 and 2, for myself, to finally learn it correctly.

At about $100/level, or so, if you buy them new, it's probably more cost-effective to use than taking an adult class, and you could go at your own pace, do extra practice when you need it, skip stuff you don't need to go over deeply, and work whenever you have the time. Having tried to do some upgrading in math as an adult (and then also being stuck having to take an upgrading english course, even though I have an english degree, rules of the program) I can tell you that it can be very annoying to have to slog through 2 months of instructions on decimals, when what you really need is algebra.

[HRC121799]

Skaterbabs, my boys use MUS (little one will start Primer next Spring, older ds is in Beta), and I actually did order the pre-algebra for myself last year, beore I started college. I ended up not using it, because I never had time and then I just took algebra as a course on campus (one more math class and then NO MORE MATH for me,lol.) So I ended up selling my MUS Pre-Algebra, but I would not hesitate to buy it and use it if I needed a higher math again and was not going to take it in college. I think the format works very well and is explained well. If I had been thinking, I would have done the Pre-Algebra, and Algebra, and possibly placed out of needing math at all when I did the college entrance exam. That would have been nice!

[AngelBee]

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[skaterbabs]

Thanks everyone! I'm not particularly blessed in mathmatics, so avoiding remedials courses when I go for my degree is a strong motivation. lol

[amey]

Originally Posted by HRC121799

Skaterbabs, my boys use MUS (little one will start Primer next Spring, older ds is in Beta), and I actually did order the pre-algebra for myself last year, beore I started college. I ended up not using it, because I never had time and then I just took algebra as a course on campus (one more math class and then NO MORE MATH for me,lol.) So I ended up selling my MUS Pre-Algebra, but I would not hesitate to buy it and use it if I needed a higher math again and was not going to take it in college. I think the format works very well and is explained well. If I had been thinking, I would have done the Pre-Algebra, and Algebra, and possibly placed out of needing math at all when I did the college entrance exam. That would have been nice!

My kids are both doing Primer right now and Thing 1 will finish it by next week. I have alpha already here for them. Have you done Primer and then Alpha before? Is it going to be alot of the same stuff? I don't mind him not doing EVERY page in the book by any means, but alot of it seemed to be a repeat (and I'll admit I only skimmed). Maybe that's good, and the review will be fine, but at the same time I don't know that I want to spend several months doing what I've JUST spent several months doing

[emmsmama]

:

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by amey

My kids are both doing Primer right now and Thing 1 will finish it by next week. I have alpha already here for them. Have you done Primer and then Alpha before? Is it going to be alot of the same stuff? I don't mind him not doing EVERY page in the book by any means, but alot of it seemed to be a repeat (and I'll admit I only skimmed). Maybe that's good, and the review will be fine, but at the same time I don't know that I want to spend several months doing what I've JUST spent several months doing

To us, it's almost 99% repeats. It will take my kids less than a week of review and then we are ordering Beta.

[USAmma]

My dd has gone through Alpha and is almost through Primer. She goes to school now but we supplement with this program. I really, really love it. She got very high scores in math last year on the national test. This year they are doing Saxon math in school but we will continue to use MUS at home because she and we like it so much.

I would recommend getting the blocks that come with the program. The color and size of them is important because he works with them on the DVD and you want your child's to look the same as the ones on the DVD. They also fit right onto the pages of the book in some lessons.

I ordered Pre-Algebra and Algebra I for myself to use to refresh for starting college again after 10 years. They said I might have to take math again because it's been that long. I did so well with that program the summer before starting classes that I did not have to re-take math! Yeah! It prepared me very well for the math involved in college chemistry and beyond. I got an A in chemistry-- and I have an English degree and was previously scared of math. I wish I had learned math with the MUS method in my childhood. I might have been more confident.

[skaterbabs]

Thanks USAmma! I would never have passed high school math if my DH hadn't tutored me! A system like this would have made things much easier.

[oneotamama]

Only moments ago I ordered the primer for my ds, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have gotten the alpha?! Oh crap.....

I think I'd better email the company and tell them to wait!!!!

Thanks for posting this!!!!