Thoughts on Math on the Level?

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • May 28, 2012 at 4:13 pm
    amomwho
    Member

    I have researched this program several times, but reviews/opinions are few and far between. Anyone here have experience with it? What do you feel are its strengths and weaknesses? I feel that my math-minded son could really benefit from a program set up like this where he could progress in areas as he is ready. TIA! 🙂

    May 28, 2012 at 9:07 pm
    RobinP
    Participant

    We’ve used it the past 2 years with my 8yo boys.  We love it!  The ability to gear lessons to their ability, or “maturation” as she calls it, is exactly what we needed.  I love that it gives me many way to teach each concept so I can have lots of ideas for my boys.  The main con that some would consider is that it relies heavily on the teacher.  You have to decide when the student is ready to move on, make out the 5-a-day sheets for each student and present and teach each concept yourself.  There are no pre-done lessons and worksheets.  I don’t mind this and consider it one of the program’s strengths but others many not.

    May 29, 2012 at 1:15 am
    LDIMom
    Participant

    We have been using MOTL for 2 years now. My oldest 13 is now using Saxon Algebra, but he has been in MOTL for the prior 2 years and it has been so wonderful. Before, he hated math and didn’t understand fractions or a lot of other basic concepts in math.

    I have learned as we go and I just made our 5-A-Day notebooks this weekend at FedEX office. Last year, we used spiral notebooks for each older child, but this year I wanted something even more individual, so I made my own 5-A-Day templates and combined 150 of those with notebook and graphing paper in the back as well as each child’s individual progress. I am very excited about using the new notebooks.

    I also have one son who is a leftie, and he is very excited about the spiral on his math notebook being on the RIGHT side. Not sure why you can’t buy spirals like that. But anyway …

    We love the versatility of MOTL and for our large family, it is very econonmical. Carlita is a dear and has a yahoo group you can join for ideas, encouragement, questions, etc.

    Strengths: it really works!!! (the 5-A-Day method is GENIUS in itself); very cost effective if you think of using it for years and possibly with multiple children); easily adaptable as the child progresses and not set by age or grade but rather by ability and readiness; works well with other math supplements (we use Life of Fred and IXL for math drills on-line)

    Weaknesses: teacher time required each day to make 5-A-DAys (not really a weakness but I do sometimes get behind on this; my boys want them ready in the AM which I can’t blame them for); costly up-front b/c you really need th whole set to use it (but nothing more to buy); not set up for student to work on totally indpedent

    I think you really need to see it to get a feel for it. You can go to the website and email Carlita to see where they might be headed for conventions soon.

    HTH

    May 29, 2012 at 2:31 pm
    amomwho
    Member

    It’s so great to hear how others actually use the program!  It sounds like it a good fit for us.  I don’t mind that it requires a little more prep time considering how you are able to customize the program to fit each child.

    RobinP- Great to hear you love it and to learn how it provides many different ideas on how to teach a concept- how helpful!  

    LDIMom- Love hearing your success story and that it works well with other programs because that I kind of what I have in mind.  (BTW- I grew up in a family of lefties- I totally hear you about the spiral notebook!)

    I am wanting to use this program along side Right Start B.  My vision for math in the fall for my K son is that we will do a couple of days of RS and a couple of days of MOTL and living math, working gently at my son’s pace while keeping lessons short and enjoyable.  I am trying to find the balance of keeping things age appropriate while still satisfying his mathmatical brain.  (He definitely got his math brain from his daddy and not me!)  I am hoping that the visual nature of RS and the flexibility of MOTL and living math will be a great fit.

    Off to check the website for their convention schedule…Smile

     

     

     

    May 30, 2012 at 3:21 am
    LDIMom
    Participant

    amomwho, funny you should mention RS.

    I just bought a few of their manipulatives at our Homeschool Expo. I have been begging my DH to make me a fraction board. He totally could, but when he found out I could buy a wooden one like I wanted for $30 he said just buy it! I also had to have the balance … and a few other things. They were discounting it all and free shipping … so I am excited to use these things along with MOTL and some homemade manipulatives I have done this past year.

    I have LOVED!!! using MOTL with our two kindies this past year. And I’m looking forward to continuing with them for 1st (and our 5th and 6th graders as well). My oldest son, 13, has a few concepts in the books he hasn’t mastered but he is close to “graduating” from MOTL.

    May 30, 2012 at 4:00 pm
    amomwho
    Member

    Funny- we must think alike! 🙂

    It’s encouraging to hear you had great success using this with you Kindergarteners.  Yay!  It makes me excited to get my hands on it!

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • The topic ‘Thoughts on Math on the Level?’ is closed to new replies.