4Real Forums: Math U See question

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Living and Loving Numbers
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Topic: Math U See question

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Becky Parker
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Posted: May 18 2006 at 6:58am \| IP Logged

Just a quick question for Math U See users. I'm planning to use this for my dd (gr. 2) and my ds who will just be in Kinder. My question is, Is the primer level really necessary? (I'm trying to save some money here.) We do a lot of Montessori type stuff for Math with my son and I like Math-U-See because it seems very "Montessoi-ish". (The manipulatives remind me of the "bead material" in cube form.) I'm just wondering if we could continue with the Montessori stuff I already have for his Kindergarten year, then when he is in 1st grade go with the "Alpha" book. Any thoughts?
Becky

Lissa
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Posted: May 18 2006 at 7:10am \| IP Logged

My quick answer while NAK is no, don't bother w/ the Primer.

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stacykay
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Posted: May 18 2006 at 7:13am \| IP Logged

Becky, I used the placement tests from the MUS web-site. The lady I spoke to (the MI rep) said that this will place your child in the level he or she needs.
We did the first book over the summer, as review, since I had done much the same as you. I just am overly concerned about math, and want to make sure that I build a solid foundation (what my second ds missed in public school and has really struggled with since then.)
I hope this is helpful.
God Bless,
Stacy

kristina
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Posted: May 18 2006 at 7:15am \| IP Logged

Becky,

Our older two boys have used Math-u-see since midyear last year.
I never got around to ordering the primer for our kindergarter. I have Alpha on hand and he likes to watch the dvd, but does not do the lessons yet. I cannot see any reason for him not starting Alpha next fall without having done the primer. I tend to err on the side of buying too much curriculum

, but in this case I have no regrets about not having the Primer.

Honestly, just being in the environment his older sister's 2nd grade studies, playing with her math-u-see cubes, as well as your Montessori materials, I vote for skipping the primer.

Blessings,

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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets

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Posted: May 18 2006 at 7:47am \| IP Logged

We did not use the primer level. I think that it is unnecessary. You could definitely continue with Montessori.

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Rebecca
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Posted: May 18 2006 at 8:17am \| IP Logged

Hi Becky, I bought the primer for my son this year. I do not know if it is necessary if you are doing all the other wonderful things you do but my son loved the primer book. Here is our experience...

My son did not know his numbers at all, had never written them or "seen them in action" prior to starting the book. (He is a boy who really resembles Peter Pan in his desire to sit down at table

so prior to this book, he had no interest whatsoever in "lessons".) He thought this book was great fun and whizzed through it at a very fast pace. Then he came to a screeching halt about February (don't we all) and has slowed down a lot since then.

The book covers (among other things) introduction of numerals, skip counting by ten, place value up to hundreds place, addition and subtraction of single digit numbers, tally marks (and skip counting by fives), and telling time in five minute increments.

My son would not have been ready for Alpha in the fall without this book. He liked that the work was easy and gained confidence quickly. Had I started him in Alpha without Primer, he would have been overwhelmed at the amount and intensity of the work.

Just my $.02...every child is different.

Rebecca
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Posted: May 18 2006 at 8:21am \| IP Logged

As a sidenote:

I think we could have skipped the book and learned these things in another way had I not been pregnant, delivering and enjoying a newborn for most of the schoolyear. I simply did not have the time or desire to help him learn the covered topics in a more creative/hands on way but I am sure it could be done...especially in your home

Courtney
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Posted: May 18 2006 at 9:17am \| IP Logged

I was thinking about this topic this morning. My dd (8) is on the second to the last Miquon book. Ds (6) is in the first one. Even though my dd is strong in math, I feel like she'd get a lot more from Math-U-See. Any ideas about where to start?

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Becky Parker
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Posted: May 18 2006 at 3:16pm \| IP Logged

Thank you for your replies everyone. I still am unsure about what to do. I love your "Peter Pan" description Rebecca! That sounds like my ds "to a T"! I think that is why I was considering the primer. Sometimes it takes all my energy just to get him to sit down let alone think about what to teach him

. It's so easy for me to just let any school work at all slide with him. I was thinking that if I had something to use like a "spine" for his Math it might help. Perhaps if I continue as we have been doing (Montessori style) and maybe just get the workbook? That way I could make sure he has learned all that is necessary to go into Alpha? Or, does Alpha do enough review that it is unnecessary? I guess I am worried more about the terminology and such in Math U See than him understanding the basic concepts. I think the concepts of addition and subtraction will come quite easy to him. Okay, so I think that is my new question... Does Alpha review enough at the beginning that a child who has not had the primer will catch on to the terminology, use of their particular manipulatives, etc.? Thanks for listening to me ramble and for all your kind advice.
Becky

lilac hill
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Posted: May 18 2006 at 3:31pm \| IP Logged

I started my DD#2 in the middle of the program. When I had a problem with terminology or "how MUS teaches it" I went to the Yahoo group set up for MUS users. The folks there were able to assist me.

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Rebecca
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Posted: May 18 2006 at 4:14pm \| IP Logged

Becky Parker wrote:

I was thinking that if I had something to use like a "spine" for his Math it might help. Perhaps if I continue as we have been doing (Montessori style) and maybe just get the workbook?

I did not use the "Teacher's Manual" at all although he watched the DVD quite often. If you already have the manipulatives and only ordered the text, that would be a lot less expensive.

Here is what is covered in Primer.

Here is what is covered in Alpha.

Courtney
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Posted: July 10 2006 at 7:16am \| IP Logged

I'm about to order Alpha for my ds (6) and Gamma for my dd (8 1/2). Do I need 2 starter block sets or just one? Should I get the completer set? What about the the skip count/addition cd? Is it necessary? Thanks for your help! Courtney

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Courtney in Texas
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amyable
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Posted: July 10 2006 at 11:54am \| IP Logged

Courtney wrote:

We have a 6yo in Alpha and an 8yo flying through Beta on the way to Gamma. Since they do math at the same time, I bought one starter and one completer set, and it's been just right.

I personally would want both sets when we get to multiplication, since the starter set only comes with four of each length from 2-9. I'd like to show my kids what 6 x 6 looks like with SIX six rods, ywim? With a starter and completer, you wind up with 10 of each (more for the ten rods and units).

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