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Maryan
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| Posted: May 21 2007 at 4:30pm | IP Logged
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I have four boys; I like Math; I don't mind teacher-prep work...
My oldest starts kindergarten next year and I was looking for a math program...
A friend of mine uses Right Start Math... after hearing her, checking out their web page, I'm definitely interested. But... she's the only one that I know that uses it.
AND... I don't see a lot here about Right Start... I see more comments about Singapore, Saxon, Abeka, Math U See, Piquon (sp??) and others...
So does anyone have any feedback for Right Start??
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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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stefoodie
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| Posted: May 21 2007 at 4:49pm | IP Logged
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Maryan wrote:
| I have four boys; I like Math; I don't mind teacher-prep work... So does anyone have any feedback for Right Start?? |
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Used it or 2 years with our now 10-yo. Found it to be a bit too involved at times, but it might be perfect for you since you don't mind the prep work.
We've used Singapore, Saxon, Math U See, Right Start, Developmental Math and Jacobs. Right now Math U See works for us the best. I also supplement with some math games from Family Math and Right Start from time to time. Because my kids learn so differently, each of these programs offered something that worked well at the time we were using them.
About Right Start: I felt that while the program was solid and thorough, it tried to do everything/cover all the bases -- to do one process several options were presented, to the point where it gets confusing. It was easier for me most times to just take the one approach that I know my child would comprehend best and teach him that. Or abandoned the Right Start approach altogether and taught him what I know, the way I learned it, regardless of whether that was the Right Start way.
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stef
mom to five
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mom3aut1not
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| Posted: May 21 2007 at 6:59pm | IP Logged
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Maryan,
I really like RightStart Math and have been using it with my autistic 7yo ds for a couple of years now. I'm a math lover, and the more I use RSM, the more I like it. However, it is *not* a program you can hand off to a child. You will need to present the lessons. I don't find the prep work very difficult. The hardest thing was making sure I had copied the things i needed copied. (This is more true with level A.) Other than that and briefly checking what i need for the day, I don't prepare at all.
RSM really is a program that teaches math not as a cookbook full of formulae -- an approach i loathe -- but as the science of patterns. It also shows children that problems may be solved in many ways -- something many people do not appreciate. The focus on mental math is both welcome and refreshing as this is the part of day-to-day math that I use the most.
My ds's language skills are extremely poot -- he tests in the first or second percentiles -- so he does not get the full benefit of RSM. However, the abacus and games are extremely helpful to him, and after using RSM for about two years -- and having used many math materials in the past -- I think that RSM's approach is the best for him despite his deficits.
In Christ,
Deborah
a lover of wild math
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humanaevitae
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| Posted: May 21 2007 at 9:44pm | IP Logged
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We have used RightStart for 3 years. I love the program's approach and think it makes so much sense. It is also nicely laid out and the author kindly answers many questions.
With that said, we are switching programs for now. I don't think there is much prep but it is teacher intensive. My son needs more practice than I have time to give. If I was able to school 2 kids at the same level it would work great but our ages don't work out right. The card games are wonderful but I don't have time to do them with all the different levels of kids. My son also wants a program that he can work with on his own after a short lesson with me.
If you have specific question feel free to pm me as I really love the program just not for us at this moment.
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Nicole-Zane 10, Elizabeth 7, Xavier 4, and John Patrick 2
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Mary Chris
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| Posted: May 22 2007 at 10:19am | IP Logged
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Maryan,
I will bring you Level A next time I see you.
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Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
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JuliaT
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| Posted: May 22 2007 at 3:29pm | IP Logged
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We have been using RS for 3 years now. I have come to appreciate this curriculum more, the longer that I use it. My dd has a math learning disability. It took us awhile but we found a way to use RS that is beneficial to her. The games and the hands-on activities work very well for her. I don't use the manual the way that it is written when I teach my dd. I move the lessons all around in a progression that is easier for her. One thing that my dd does not like about RS is that they atart teaching a concept using bigger numbers. This causes much anxiety in my dd. So I take the lessons out of order and start with the ones that use the smaller numbers and work our way up. This has helped a great deal.
Now, my ds is very good at math and RS is perfect for him as well. With him, I use the manual the way that it is written. I can start teaching the concepts with the big numbers for him because he enjoys the challenge. This is what I love about RS. It works for any type of math learner. You just may need to play around with it a bit to find a way that works for you.
I used to be irritated by the various strategies they used for addition, subtraction, etc. I was able to see how they prove the beauty of math, but it was confusing to teach these to my dd. I have finally clued in to writing the strategies down on index cards and showing them to her so she can figure out the right strategy to use. This is working very well.
I have found it hard to make time for the games, but my children are now old enough that they can play the games by themselves, which helps alot.
I know that RS is time-consuming and expensive, but for our family and our myriad of learning styles, it is the best curriculum for us right now.
Blessings,
Julia
mom to 3(7,6,4)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Juliainsk
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AndreaG
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| Posted: May 22 2007 at 5:17pm | IP Logged
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I use Right Start math- I love it! I switched from Singapore b/c I wanted something more hands-on. The only con is that it is teacher intensive, as others have said. Sometimes I actually like that though, it gives me focused time with my oldest. I really like the way Right Start teaches math, so it is worth it for me to put the time into teaching it. I feel like it has given me a deeper understanding of math, rather than just memorizing solutions. Hopefully it is having the same effect on my son! He doesn't exactly love math lessons but does enjoy them once we get going, and he really likes the games and timed practice sheets.
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Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
Read Through the Catechism in a Year- For Moms!
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graciefaith
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| Posted: May 23 2007 at 6:36am | IP Logged
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I'm on Level A with dd and we are nearing the end of it. She loves math. This is my first year homeschooling so this is our first math program and hopefully our only one. I love it! I'm relearning math myself now. I am horrible at math. It is teacher intensive but i like that. Dd is not much of a workbook type kid so this works out for us. When we started she was barely writing too, although now, she writes extremely well. She loves the games we play and she asks to do math every day. =P Next year i will have one in Level A and one in Level B.
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Maryan
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| Posted: May 23 2007 at 7:48pm | IP Logged
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Thank you for all the food for thought!! I really appreciate hearing how right start has worked for you! And Mary Chris, thanks for the offer too -- my friend also offered me the same as well! I'm known to be rash sometimes, so I may just go for it... we'll see how disciplined my shopping cart clicker is.
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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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4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers
Topic: Right Start pros and cons
