The time that I have been dreading for the past 5 years has finally arrived. Mia is halfway through Level E of RightStart Math. RightStart only goes up to Grade 4 so this is our swan song with RightStart. I have been thinking about what we were going to do when we came to this bump in the road. If you have read this blog for any amount of time, you are well aware of the relationship between math and Mia. It isn't a pretty one. Mia dislikes math strongly. Very strongly. Hence, the choosing of math programs is an arduous and sometimes painful experience.
A stricitly workbook-based program would not work for Mia. She sees all of the questions and she quickly hyperventilates. This is the reason for choosing RightStart. They use games and manipulatives to teach math with very few worksheets (at least in the younger levels. Worksheet use increases as the levels go on.) This had to factor into my decision. After researching and scouring websites, i finally came up with Math-U-See. I was a bit weary about this one as well because I kept hearing that there were alot of worksheets for each lesson. I was assured, though, that you can choose how many worksheets you do so there is flexibility in that area. I decided to finally bite the bullet and order MUS. I bought the Delta level which focuses on division. I don't think that RightStart gives enough attention to division so I thought some review wouldn't hurt Mia. I am hoping to get through Delta in the summer and early fall so that we can start Epsilon (fractions) in late fall. That is my plan, anyway.
I was quite surprised to find that my MUS package came in the mail yesterday. I am enamored, so far, with this program. I like that you can skim through a lesson quickly if your child ''get's it' or you can stay as long as you need to using the extra practise sheets. This is a good thing. The only concern I have is the way they multiply (this is carried over for division so this will effect us.) I don't know if this will confuse Mia or not. Time will tell.
Mia did the first lesson yesterday. She sailed through it (it was review.) She said that she didn't mind it. This is high praise! This morning, she woke up at 7:30 and asked if she could do her math lesson for the day. Who am I to stand in the way of math? She watched the little DVD blurb on her lesson with her dad then she proceeded to do three worksheets. It only took her 25 min.! I like this! I really like this! Now, I do know that the interest is due to the novelty of the program but I don't care! I'll take it anyway it comes.
I do think, though, that we made a wise decision in our math choice. Now I have to do the same thing with Rocky when it is his turn to switch. I don't think he will be doing MUS, but is for another blog post.