Kate Mom of 1
Member
Right now I'm debating between Math-U-See and Right Start for my 8 year old. She struggles with math, it's her least favorite subject, and she's very much a hands on learner. I like all the manipulatives in Right Start, but I also like the way the Math-U-See is laid out. I don't want to spend the extra $100 on Right Start if MUS will be just effective.
What are you experiences with either program? Thanks!
pinkchopsticks
Member
We are using MUS here. I really love the foundation it gives the kids. I had tried RS for one child, but gave up on it. For me, it was hard to implement... meaning not just "open and go" and requires much more teacher involvement. I have tried other programs, but keep coming back to MUS. It seems to work well for my struggling students as well as my ones that are strong in math. Now MUS is not necessarily fun, but we add in all sorts of games to build math skills,too.
Rebekahy
Member
We LOVE MUS. But others feel the same about RS. If you do a search of the forum, you'll find this topic discussed lots - it's a favorite!
Kris
Member
I agree that RS is more difficult to implement. We have tried both programs in the past, and Math U See is more simple, but effective. The RS manipulatives were cumbersome to me and daunting to my struggling math learner. For us, MUS was more user-friendly.
Kris
Kate Mom of 1
Member
Good to know. Since I'll also be working from home and this is our first year homeschooling, I need all the user-friendliness I can get. I think we'll go with MUS, probably Gamma.
I found that my daughter who had struggles in PS struggled with "re-learning" math using an abacus. She really preferred the MUS.
my3boys
Member
I think that both programs are solid and you will find those that absolutely love one over the other. I have RS and MUS. I really wanted RS to work (as I know it can and is solid) but I didn't give it the time necessary to do what was required, so we chose MUS. I don't think I'm lazy, just realistic. I do think that those that love it have given it the time necessary and that it just "jives" with them, their child(ren), and that is how most curriculum is chosen or loved.
We are continuing with MUS because my struggling student really needs simplicity. He craves all the fun stuff, dialogue, manipulatives, etc., but at the end of the day, it's all too much. In a previous program he was exposed to a variety of ideas in each lesson (he loved it) but not enough time was spent on one concept. My struggling student needs/needed that. My other two dc could probably use any program, and one does. But two of mine use the same to make it easier on me. If these two used different ones, they're would be fights over each other's supplies...why would I purposely do that to myself, LOL.
I think most people LOVE one or the other. We love RightStart. I've taught 4 levels now - I currently have 4 kids in 4 different levels! The first few weeks of teaching took some time and effort on my part but after that it was pretty easy and now it's automatic. My boys have thrived in it and I'm amazed to see their progress. They can mentally compute stuff that leaves me stumped. They never fight me on "doing" math and are all very confident in their abilities in math. We've been very pleased with it, but I know that MUS is also a great option.
petitemom
Member
Been using MUS and got only the games from RS to help w/memorization. That is working good for us although I do need them to call them (RS) sometime so they explain more games to me, I find it hard to understand just reading the directions somehow. MUS is a great program but if a child has a hard time learning his facts it is hard to move forward.
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