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Right Start B for Kindergarten??
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I am wondering where I should start my son in RS next year for kindergarten and am looking for some advice from those of you that have used the program. My son is a mathematical thinker, always looking at life like it is one big problem to solve. He will take everyday life situations and break them down into mathematical terms. He has a good mathematical foundation- he is familiar with numbers into the hundreds, and can add and subtract quantities with manipulatives, etc.
It seems like level A would be too easy, but I have heard that level B progresses quickly and that as we continue through the program it gets quite rigorous. However, I plan to keep lessons short and sweet because of his age and will go at his pace, whatever that looks like. I am figuring it will take us longer than a year to get through by doing this, especially by the lessons taking more than one day and not doing RS every day as I would also like to incorporate some living math.
Does this seem reasonable? I am trying to think long term as well. Even if it seems ok now, that means that we would be starting level C sometime in first grade. Is this going to be a problem? Any other suggestions?
Thanks so much in advance!!!
Allison
Hi Allison,
Did you take the placement test that RightStart offers? From what you are saying it sounds like Level B would be a good fit. It’s ok if it takes longer than a year to get through a level. That’s one reason these are levels and not grades.
Level B was the inital first level. Level A is a slowed down portion of the beginning of Level B. Sounds like your son is “mathy” so you want something that will challenge him. Each child reaches understanding of concepts at different times. I’ve heard of some 6 and 7 year olds finishing Level E. It just depends on the child. My children went through at a normal to slow pace and I’m fine with that because it is important to me that they have a good understanding.
My boys have been through all the levels and are currently in The Geometric Approach…and my suggestion is to make sure you take the time to play the games. I tended to not play them if they were not scheduled and I regret that.
Mixing RS up with some living math sounds like a good plan.
Blessings,
Debbie
Thanks, sixtimemom! Your post if very helpful! I didn’t know all of that about RS. I did take the placement test and it recommended starting at level B. You are right, my son is “mathy” but will just turn 5 this summer before starting K, and I just thought it might be best to hear from the “voices of experience” before we bit off more than we can chew! 🙂 And I agree with you about going slow for good understanding.
Great reminder about the games- I will make a mental note to make sure we are playing those often.
Thanks again!
Debbie, your thoughts and experience were helpful to me too. I am doing Level A with my Kindergartener and love it. (I have previously used MATH U SEE, or A BEKA, or TEACHING TEXTS, or SAXON with my other home educated guinea pigs.
) We are enjoying Right Start for the first time. It sounds like you did not transition your kids to MATH U SEE as they got older. What is the approximate prep time for the higher levels of RS math?
Wendy
I also agree that if your son placed into B, I’d use B…. take it slow – and LOTS of games (I’d be tempted to alternate a lesson day and a game day…) – and keep in mind that there will be spots where it will be difficult for a while… but take it at his pace and it should be great for him.
Thanks for the encouragement, suzukimom! I was guessing that it might get “rough” in some spots, but it is nice to actually have the advanced warning. Somehow hearing it makes me feel like if we will keep plodding along, eventually we’ll get there. 🙂
I agree that it sounds like level B, but don’t rush through the lessons. You might spend the first month getting used to the AL abacus and him learning the quantities on it. There are fun matching style games you use to help him learn this. FYI, in the table of contents for RS level B, it says that the first 23 lessons may be skipped if the child has done RS level A.
Wendy,
No I did not transition my children to Math U See. They went on to do The Geometric Approach after Level E. Children can do the program on their own but my boys still need me to help them. There is no prep time on my part but if they are unable to do the lesson, after reading it on their own….then I will come and sit with them and have them reread the lesson and explain to me what they are understanding or not understanding. Then they will do the lesson.
Sometimes if they are having trouble understanding I will let them look at the solution book to help them figure out the answer. Dr. Cotter said this is ok to do as they will do this also in college. I know that seeing the answer will keep my son trying to figure it out until he gets it. And while some may think he’ll just write the answer…I always ask him to explain to me how he got the answer to make sure he is understanding.
I just want to encourage you all that while this math program is considered teacher intentive….it has been worth it. I see such a difference in my youngest boys who have only done RS compared to their older siblings who have done a variety of other programs before being transitioned into Level E. We use VideoText for Algebra and Geometry.
Along with playing the games….make sure you ask your child to explain their answers to you. Don’t be quick to give them the answers….give them suggestions….help them come to the answer but don’t outright give them the answer. I know I didn’t realize this at first but now see the value in doing it.
Blessings,
Debbie
Sarah- Great suggestion about getting familiar with the abacus….that makes total sense!
Debbie- Very much appreciate your take from someone who has seen the whole program through. Yes, I have read about how teacher intensive it is so it is wonderful to hear how your children have benefited from your investment in them!
Thanks again, everyone! You ladies are so wise!
Very helpful! Thanks so much. (Good to know I can skip to lesson 23 once we start level B.)
Debbie, glad you are on here! Question. So after level E you do Geometric Approach, and then video text for Algebra and Geometry. Does video text include Algebra 1, 2, and Geometry? I saw it available at a used home school book sale last May but I passed it up. I have to make the difficult decision of continuing my 10 yr old to RS or to have him continue w/ MUS. (We are anticipating the adoption of a sibling group so I am trying to realistic in what I will be able to prepare for.) I find MUS easy for the older kids to keep up with, I help when they ask. The sibling group will be “school age”. Any thoughts? Can I learn how to teach higher level RS with only limited experience (22 lessons of level A)?
Wendy
This is great advice! I started my k6 son on RS level B this year and at first I just tried to plow right through, doing three lessons per week. After about 4 weeks, he decided he HATED math. So, I posted on this forum and all the moms advised that I slow it down and play more games. I followed their advice and we’ve been slowly plodding along ever since – it’s been great! His attitude toward math is gradually improving, and so is mine. It’s challenging, for sure, but if you take it very slowly, I think it’s a great way to teach math.
) We are enjoying Right Start for the first time. 
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