Name: CHEC Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-12T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-14T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Denver, CO

This topic has 9 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 1 month ago by Wings2fly.

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

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April 29, 2012 at 2:02 am
Sara Hagerty
Participant
I have three children in Right Start Math and one, age eight, for whom I’m investigating which curriculum to use moving forward. Since she hasn’t been through either curriculum we would need to do some “catch up” as I know each of these curriculums have some specific-to-them manipulatives and terminology. Wondering if any of you have had experience in both (or either, I suppose) and could share what you liked and didn’t like?
April 29, 2012 at 2:50 am
suzukimom
Participant
I’m not sure I understand – you have 3 children in RS, but another that isn’t? But you want information on RS and/or Math-U-See?

What has the 8yo been using so far? If you were to do RS with her – what level would she likely place into? If higher than level B, there are transition lessons that you get and use to help them understand the RS way of doing things….
We are loving RS so far
April 29, 2012 at 6:51 am
petitemom
Participant
We use both! My kids have both doing Math-U-See (5th and 3rd grade) and I got the Right start games for my second child to help him learn his math facts. I am planning to keep using the games during the summer to keep those facts in!
That is working out really well for us.
April 30, 2012 at 1:04 am
Sara Hagerty
Participant
Thank you ladies! Suzukimom, we just recently adopted our 8 year old, therefore, she hasn’t been in a math curriculum yet in our home. She seems to be at around a 2nd grade level mathmatically and I am aware of the transition lessons — but am looking into Math U See for her as well as RS.
April 30, 2012 at 1:19 am
Rebekahy
Participant
We use MUS and love it, but if you’re already familiar with RS having used it with your other kids, I wonder why you’d want to pursue something different. I know that MUS goes in a different “order” from most public school math programs, so if it’s also different than RS (I don’t know if it does or not) it might be difficult to use both programs – other than as petitemom suggested with using MUS as the core and the RS games to supplement. I know MUS has some very particular to it terminology and ways of doing things, I’m not sure how that would mesh or conflict with RS, which also must have some particular ways of doing things if it requires transition lessons. If she’s already had a more traditional math program and is doing well with it, you might just want to stick to what seems the most familiar with her, as I’m sure there’s going to be so many other things she’s having to adjust to. Or it may be easier for you to stick with what you know, as I’m sure YOU are also having lots of other new things coming up without having to acquaint yourself with a new math program.
Different topic, but very excited to hear that you’ve adopted an older child from China – very exciting, I’m sure you’ll be super blessed by this dear child, and I know she’s blessed to have you as well!
Rebekah
April 30, 2012 at 1:36 am
suzukimom
Participant
You adapted her from China?
I think I’d be tempted to use RS then… the way they handle place value is supposed to be very similar to how it is done in the Orient…
Mind you, if she tests into Level C, that might not matter as much…

Just curious why you are looking into MUS for her as well as RS, when the rest of your family does RS. I’d stick with what you know…
April 30, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Sara Hagerty
Participant
We have actually adopted her from Uganda. I haven’t been thrilled with RS math which, likely, has more to do with me than the children. I can get excited about most all that I’m doing with the children, but sadly not math. Math U See, therfore, has peaked my interest. In her orphanage they had such a strict emphasis on getting answers right that children missed the steps in between and certainly didn’t learn the “why” behind what they were learning. While she might, then, thrive with a Saxon or Singapore, I have wanted to allure her into learning here, too, and train her mind anew.
Thanks for your input ladies! This is helpful!!
April 30, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Rebekahy
Participant
ACK! So sorry for putting China in there, not sure WHERE I got that!
If you’re not loving RS – I understand it requires a lot from the parent – then perhaps you should give MUS a try with all of them. We LOVE it and know many families that do! It’s also great for families with lots of little kiddos because for those that are more self-taught, you can let them watch the videos without having to be there every step of the way. Once a concept is taught – subtraction for example, you can let them watch future lessons as they are memorizing the facts without having to be so hands on with each child.
It is important for mom to like the program, if you’re not loving it, they’ll since that and it might cause them to struggle too.

April 30, 2012 at 4:52 pm
suzukimom
Participant
Yes, if you aren’t loving it, try the other program.
April 30, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Wings2fly
Participant
I have used MUS Alpha and RS level B. They are both great programs, but my son needed more and RS gave him what he needed to understand it. So I think it depends on the child. The AL Abacus and RS games are great to add in to any math program.