Math U See question

We like Primer, but I do it with my three year olds (my third is doing it this year).  I don’t make them do the writing portion, instead I let them trace the number with their finger or point to the correct answer on a number line.  I like it because it lays the foundation for how math is taught in Math U See.  It’s reviewed in Alpha, but at a much quicker pace.  It also teaches some shapes.  It’s certainly not necessary if money is a concern, but if you have multiple children it might be worth the investment.  I am not having my children write in the Primer student text, primarily because they are too small for writing and benefit equally well from doing it orally, secondarily because I’d like to not keep rebuying the student text (which we do rebuy for all the other levels so far).

If you want to skip it, then you should still buy the blocks and teach him to recognize his numbers and to count objects – as he learns to identify the numeral, I’d teach him the color math block that goes with it.  It just helps them progress more quickly when they get to Alpha – NOT that speed is the end all be all, but they’re learning more advanced concepts, so learning these things prior to Alpha helps to ease the memorization required.

I agree with Rebekahy – I like it, though not necessary.  I am doing it with my 4yr old son right now and it’s a good start to what he will be doing this school year in Alpha (he is a Sept 15th b=day and in MN there cut off is the 1st).  Also like Nebby said my other kids where doing there MUS and my son wanted to do it too.

Hmm, this has we wondering whether to start dd5, who will be a kindergartner, with primer or alpha? She counts to 50, knows some add facts and gets one to one correspondence. Thoughts?

Christie – Is she able to recognize numerals?  Is she able to write them?  Does she know her shapes?  Is she able to count objects?  If she can do all those things, you can start with Alpha.  I’d just be prepared to spend more time on any lessons that don’t come easily (like you would anyway, but offering even more grace).  I find the Primer to be VERY basic and use it as a preschool book – they can easily complete a lesson in five minutes if you’re not requiring writing from them and if they have those fine motor skills, I still can’t imagine it taking more than 10 minutes or so.  Outside of learning the numerals, I believe everything is repeated in Alpha, just at a faster pace.

Jennifer – I agree with Lindsey, it’d be a great foundation for your son.  It’s going to be quick and enjoyable – he’s going to experience success and become familiar with the MUS way of doing things.  It will make the transition to Alpha much easier and feel like review for him next year.

Hope that helps!

Rebekah

I also forgot to add my 2 cents, and it’s a bit late since you’ve already ordered Primer:), but I have a hard time with pushing a child that isn’t begging to learn before 6.  I made that mistake before with my first two and they were miserable and so was I(although a lot of that was because we were doing workbooks/busy work that had been given to me for free instead of CM).  My 4yr old really wants to do Primer, my 5 yr old does not.  So I go very easy with her and do more games, etc.  We do work on things and she knows plenty without having to learn place value, etc. at age 5.  So I guess I’m just saying if it’s not going well for you both, don’t feel pressured to continue just because you bought the curriuculum.