Right Start-What do you need?

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  • May 20, 2011 at 3:19 pm
    Marcee
    Member

    Currently we are doing Horizons and the kids are really enjoying it. I looked at RS and it looks like there is SO much. What do you absolutley need for the program?

    May 20, 2011 at 5:21 pm
    Ladyofthehouse
    Member

    Marcee,

    RightStart is a hands on, game based program. That is why there are so many manipulatives with it. There really are not many work sheets.

    On the RS web site there is a list of which manipulatives are required and which are suggested.

    http://www.alabacus.com/Downloads/2011%20HS%20detailed%20price%20sheet.pdf

    You can also just buy the set of math card games if you want to add them in with another program but get some of the benefit of RS. The RS home page has a placement questioniar if you aren’t sure what level your kids would be.

    We are only in level A so other Moms will hopefully chime in who are a little further along. My impression so far is that if you aren’t really wanting to invest in the full program (or at least most of it) you should probably just go with another program…..would others agree?

    May 21, 2011 at 12:26 am
    Lucien Van Huyssteen
    Participant

    We are only in our second year of RS and have just started on Level B.  I’m very happy with it so far.  

    If you are going to compare RS with another Math program, I think it’s more important to understand their philosophy and how it differs to other programs.  That’s what makes RS unique.  From the research I did before I started it, I found the main differences were that it is mastery-based approach, as opposed to a spiral one and that the main goal is true understanding of math as only 5% of maths should be learned by rote, whereas 95% should be understood.  I really recommend that you read up on their website, under About Us, the articles on the RS program (http://www.alabacus.com/pageView.cfm?pageID=265) and also Dr Joan A. Cotter to get a better understanding of it.  She explains how and why she developed this program and also talks about the manipulatives.  The whole point is to discourage counting but rather to be able to do math mentally by seeing quantities in groups of fives and tens.  Sounds a bit confusing, I know, but it’s quite simple and brilliant actually!    

    I have not found that we have too many manipulatives at all, I bought the whole set, including the recommended ones in Level A and only had to purchase a few extra cards for Level B as we will use everything from A in B as well, including higher levels too.  Most of them consist of cards for games, which my son absolutely loves and we can spend hours playing if I don’t stop him.  He doesn’t even realise he’s doing maths!

    But, yes, I agree with Ladyofthehouse, if you don’t plan on doing RS for all levels, then there is no point in doing only some of it as it teaches maths in a totally different way to traditional programs.

    There is also a RS Yahoo group for help and support and for reselling of used teacher’s manuals etc.

    Hope this helps!

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