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mairejam5
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Joined: April 26 2006
Location: California
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| Posted: April 20 2007 at 12:37pm | IP Logged
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HI ladies, I tried to post this and it didn't go through and I lost the message so now I have to try again... aAAAARGH!
My children's ages are 7yo ds, almost-6yo ds, 3yo dd, 1yo ds (who is currently blocking my view of the computer as I try to type! he is very fascinated with the little smiley faces, of course he is also slipping his finger down to push buttons as much as he thinks sneakily possibe) and a baby due in June.
The oldest ds has completed 3/4 of the ABeka K math workbook very easily (we're starting later on purpose) and I think my next youngest could do the same. I am planning on schooling these boys together. I have fallen in LOVE with the idea of Rightstart and I have the money to get the first level right now to start with the boys, but I have a few questions.
1) How scripted is it? Right now while getting started I like scripted. I liked the "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" because it was scripted enough for me to really get the concepts. After getting half way through the book, I feel a lot more comfortable about teaching reading in other ways. I like things spelled out for me at first. Then I can "play" when I really understand it.
2) When the manual calls for manipulatives, is it really as easy as pulling out the manipulatives you need from the set you ordered? Is there anything that I'm supposed to go get or gather, wether it be from the house or other places? (...because I'm no good at that so far.)
3)How much time does it take and how much concentration/focus is needed? For instance, can I nurse a baby, wipe noses, intervene in disputes, stop the house from catching fire, etc. when necessary, or would those little breaks in the lesson really mess things up for the kids?
4) How successful have those of you with several children been in teaching with this program, especially once you start teaching multiple levels, or when you just added a new baby (should I not even bother untill the fall? wait until next year?) What kind of finagling have you had to do if any? And what has kept you using it?
5) If anybody quit, why?
Thank you very much for your help. :) If it weren't such a big chunk of money, I wouldn't worry so much. :)
God bless,
Maire
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Cay Gibson
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Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
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Posts: 5193
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| Posted: April 20 2007 at 12:44pm | IP Logged
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mairejam5 wrote:
HI ladies, I tried to post this and it didn't go through and I lost the message so now I have to try again... aAAAARGH!
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THis just happened to me too, Maire, and I don't have time to go back and rethink/retype.
You all are probably better off. 
But you are right. My first thought was aAAAARGH!!!! 
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Maryan
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Joined: Jan 02 2007
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| Posted: April 20 2007 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
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Maire --
How funny --these are all the questions that I have with Right Start! I'm thinking that this is what I want to use next year with my soon to be 6 yo., so anxious to see if anyone has answers!
__________________
Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
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AndreaG
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| Posted: April 22 2007 at 7:09am | IP Logged
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Hello,
I use RightStart with my 2cnd grader and also have kids ages 5, 2, and 7 months so I will take a stab at answering your questions:
1)It is totally scripted. So much so that I can stumble into the schoolroom pre-coffee (I am NOT a morning person)and give a math lesson with a baby on my lap and a preschooler and toddler milling around.
2)It is as easy as pulling the manipulatives out of the box. We keep ours under my son's desk, it is very convenient. A few lessons require you to make copies from the Appendix and cut things out- those always catch me by surprise.
3)The lessons are longish(or seem so with all the little ones running around)- there is a warm-up where you do a few review problems and then the bulk of the lesson, then often a worksheet or a game. We often do a lesson over 2 days. I do math first thing when the little ones are most occupied.
4)Next year I plan on doing 2 levels so I'll see how it goes. I really like the program, how it teaches math, and all the hands-on stuff and games. I have a friend who is doing 2 levels this year and it is going alright for her.
-Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
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NicolaM
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Joined: April 21 2007
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| Posted: April 22 2007 at 10:05am | IP Logged
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Hi Marie,
I just started using Right Start so I can't answer #4 and #5 but we looove it. I totally agree with Andrea.
#1 - I've been hsing for 15 years and I still like scripted, especially for math. And, yes, it is very scripted. You simply open the book and start.
#2 - Yes, it is as easy as pulling the manipulatives out of the kit. The only thing I've had to gather on my own was objects for counting, well not really counting but to show the value of numbers. So before we started I went around the house and put together an "object" box with handfuls of legos, dominos, straws, etc. I always read the materials needed the night before and make copies of appendix items the evening before, when needed.
#3 - I agree with Andrea that the lessons are longish, but each lesson is not necessarily one day. You can stop and then pick up where you left off the day before. Same thing if you get distracted by a baby or housefire  just put a mark where you are and pick up where you left off later.
#4 - I'm really looking forward to continuing with this, my son is "getting it" more than I could have imagined.
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JuliaT
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Joined: June 25 2006
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| Posted: April 22 2007 at 7:01pm | IP Logged
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Marie, I have been using RS for 3 yrs. now. I love it. I believe that this is the best math curriculum for our family. My dd has a math learning disability and RS is perfect for her. My ds is a whiz at math and RS is perfect for his needs as well. I just use the program differently for their individual needs.
Now to answer your questions.
1) I guess it depends on what you mean by scripted. I consider RS to be loosely scripted. It doesn't tell you word for word what to say to the child, like 100 Easy Lessons. But it tells you in synopsis form what to say. I am not good at math at all, but how RS words the lessons helps a great deal. Once in awhile I have to go over the lesson a few times to understand what they are wanting, but for the most part it is pick up and go.
2) Just like everyone else said, you only have to pull out the manipulatives and go. Once in a while you may have to use stuffed animals and I believe for one lesson you have to use your dishes, but they mostly use manipulatives that are in your kit.
3)The lessons are long. This is why we usually do a lesson in two day.
4)I am doing RS with my 7 yr. old and started with my 6 yr. old in Aug. I am not having problems with finding time in doing both lessons. Usually the lessons take us 15 min. for each. The problem I do have is finding the time to do the games for each child.
What keeps me going with RS is what I stated in my opening paragraph. I can use RS with children who varying levels of math proficiency and it works for both children. As I said before, I have learned how to use the program differently to suit each child. I am a big fan of RS. I think if you get it, you won't regret it. As long as you go in with the knowledge that it is teacher intensive.
Blessings
Julia
mom to 3(7,6,4)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Juliainsk
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Angela F
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Joined: March 08 2005
Location: Iowa
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| Posted: April 23 2007 at 12:50pm | IP Logged
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Just my .02....I love RightStart as well; I did use it for math last year. And will use what I've learned with the rest of my kids, but with an 8th, 6th, 3rd grader, (and a 5 yo and 2 yo) it was too much. We spent all morning doing math! I needed to use something that wasn't so teacher intensive.
I think I've heard others echo this....but don't remember where....
God bless,
Angela
__________________
Mom to 7 blessings - welcome to Hanna Clare 1/19/10
"‘Great’ holiness consists in carrying out the ‘little’ duties of each moment."
St. Josemaria Escriva
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Kristen in TN
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Joined: Oct 06 2006
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: April 24 2007 at 9:59pm | IP Logged
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Yes, it is teacher intensive. I used it for my two older children until I found Saxon (starting with 5/4, not lower.) My third boy (age 6) would go along and do some before, but nothing consistant. He really likes workbooks, but I just don't know where he is now, so, just today, we started with Right Start where he left off. When the two older boys were in two differnt levels (Level B and Level D) I would sit everyone at the dining room table. I would also have each child bring another assignment or book to read and start one and back and forth. It truly was my lack of a schedule that was the problem. When I set a time things went smoothly, when I didn't, we didn't get to it.
As for the games, a lot of them the boys played together. One of the things I like about the manipulative set is that it is all right there and labeled so you know what to get out.
As for the apendixes, I just found out that you can buy a package (I think $5) with all the copies you need, you just have to cut some out. I think that is well worth the money so you don't have to make copies and they are readily available. We also keep a set of popsicle sticks in the math box.
Having said all that, now that we are on a schedule again, I am seriously considering going back to it with my 2nd son (age 8) and doing the Geometry with my eldest (10 and just finishing 5th). We'll see. After trying just about every program, I like RS the best.
Hope some of this helps!!!
God bless,
Kristen in TN
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4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers
Topic: Right start .. large family....
