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RightStart Math 1st vs 2nd edition…and "common core" worries
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I was reading an older post about the upcoming RS math 2nd edition development. I know school is starting soon for many of you ladies, so you might not have had much time yet to see the difference in editions of “A.” I have a 4 year old daughter and was looking into purchasing RS “A” for her…but don’t know whether to buy the older version which seems to be so loved by many, or to purchase the new edition. Its’ mention of “common core” alignment really concerns me!! I don’t want a watered/dumbed-down version with the 2nd edition. Maybe I’d be better off to stick with the first ed. Thank you for any insight!! 🙂
Just because a company is staying business smart and keeping up with the current environment that their business thrives in, does not mean they have to sacrifice quality. RightStart has excellent customer service so I would highly recommend calling them about your concerns.
However, I would be shocked if you are not going to get a watered-down version of RS by going with the 2nd edition. I am waiting for Level B 2nd edition to come out to use with my son. It includes many more whys of the program than the 1st edition. I do much better if I understand why an activity is being done.
This is timely since I just listened to a RS webinar today on what the differences are between the 1st and 2nd edition. My ds did level A (1st edition) last year and we will use RS B (2nd Ed) this coming year. I noticed the webinar was being recorded so you might want to contact them to see when and if it will be available.
This was the first time I was able to see an actual sample lesson in the new edition. It is layed out sooo much better! Other changes include more use of the games and manipulatives. The first edition was written in the 90’s and published in 2001 so Dr Cotter’s research over this time also was used in her updated edition. This is just a portion of what was discussed in the webinar.
RS will continue to support 1st edition so it would be fine if you decide to go that direction.
My understanding and opinion is that the 2nd edition is not watered/dumbed down. The webinar today actually addressed this issue directly.
HTH:)
I was going to mention the webinar – I don’t know when it might be availble. I didn’t watch it.
RS was working on their new edition before Common Core came out to make changes they wanted to make. Yes, it meets, and exceeds common core – but it wasn’t written specifically to match common core.
The sample of Level A had things that the 1st edition did not – it looks like it had measuring in inches and cm, for example.
The level G is going to be the same – Edition 1 has levels A-E – the 2nd edition will have levels A-F….. BUT, if you have been on the RS Yahoo group for any length of time, you would know that it is very common for a couple of the levels to take a year and a half – so it is probably spread out better, with a few extra topics. There are also common “wall” areas in the 1st edition…. lessons where a LOT of students suddenly hit a wall. About lesson 68 in Level B, and about lesson 90 in Level C…. these are places where there might be a jump in difficulty or some other reason why there is a problem. I’m hoping they have fixed those “walls”….
That said – I haven’t seen Edition 2 firsthand. (The person at the conference I went to forgot it…). You can buy the worksheets of edition 1 as a PDF download now (that is new) so that is great for multiple kids…. and there will be edition 1 stuff available used…
Thank you so much ladies! I had actually called RightStart today just before this post. The lady I talked to was helpful…she told me there was a 2nd edition and to look at the info on their website. She actually never said the words “Common Core” though. Wonder now if she was trying to down-play it. She said there are more manipulatives too. I did try to login to the webinar today, but had trouble and wasn’t able to view. The RS lady said it will be posted on their website. I will check back here soon to check for any more comments. Thank you again!!
They have changed how they do the manipulatives. They used to have the kit you started with and then add some for each level. For the 2nd Edition you buy the whole kit up front and use all the way through. So you have more options earlier on.
PS… I just found the following post on the RS Facebook page in response to someone’s question/concerns:
RightStart Mathematics by Activities for Learning, Inc. The current edition of RightStart™ Mathematics lessons were begun in 1994 and published in 2001. Many changes have occurred since this time. Mathematics is used more widely in many fields, for example, architecture, science, technology, and medicine. Today 70 percent of careers require advanced math. Also, research has given us new insights into how children learn mathematics.
The second edition, for which planning began several years ago (preceding the Common Core State Standards process), is updated to reflect new research, ideas, and applications that Dr. Joan A. Cotter has developed in recent years. It is a complete rewrite. RightStart™ Mathematics Second Edition does incorporates the CCSS as a BASE minimum and almost always exceeds these benchmarks.
The Second Edition is not limited by CCSS, rather it encompasses and exceeds the Standards. Actually, very little has been altered with the second edition to align with the Common Core State Standards. Rather, we’ve added more geometry, measurement, and weight measurements to Level A. A wider variety of the RightStart™ manipulatives are used in each level. More games and activities are now included. Topics within a grade level are always taught with the most appropriate method using the best approach with the child and teacher in mind.
The RightStart™ Mathematics Second Edition alignment with the CCSS is NOT about compliance, rather, this is about education. As stated, we have new research, information, and ideas that are incorporated into this new edition. Our Second Edition is far above and beyond what the CCSS identifies within their standard. We do not have government mandates in mind, rather, we have the child and his or her education in the forefront. Dr. Cotter continues to teach children with her philosophy and approach that homeschoolers across the US and the world have come to expect.
Please remember: RightStart™ Mathematics current edition lessons, worksheets, and manipulatives will continue to be available for purchase and will be supported indefinitely. You may continue to use the first edition with your entire family; you will not be required to change editions. Because we have both editions of RightStart™ Mathematics available, we have ENSURED homeschoolers educational freedom. Each family has the right to choose the curriculum format, knowledge, and alignment that best fits their needs. Our mission to help children understand, apply, and enjoy mathematics has not changed.
I’m a little late in entering the discussion, but I am currently working through RS Level B, 2nd Edition with my two oldest. I also own RS Level A and B, 1st Ed as well, so I can share from experience. We were in the middle of RS Level B, 1st Edition when I attended a Homeschool Convention and got firsthand knowledge of the difference between the two editions.
I actually switched my girls over to the from 1st Ed to 2nd Ed of Level B because if we hadn’t, they wouldn’t be prepared to enter the 2nd Edition of Level C! I loved the 1st Ed, but the 2nd Ed. is even better! It was worth stepping back so we could go through 2nd Ed. Level B. The 2nd Ed includes more games, more concepts, more assessments, more explanations, more formal review, and the page layout is much more pleasing to the eye.
Bottom Line: the 2nd Edition is stronger, not weaker than the 1st Ed. Truly, it is not dumbed down in the least. RS has always been accelerated, and the 2nd Edition takes it further in this direction, not away from it.
2nd Edition was not created to allign itself with Common Core! It simply has Common Core mentioned so that it could be used in classrooms where Common Core is currently being enforced. (God help us to remove Common Core from America.) The only thing that you’ll find is a code/reference for which Common Core standard that lesson particular lesson meets.
Does RS 2nd Ed. meet Common Core standards? Yes.
Does RS 2nd Ed. exceed Common Core standards? YES! YES! YES!
I started by two oldest on RS and Singapore from the beginning, but after two years of using both curriculums I’ve seen that RS has been easier for me to teach and very effective for my girls. They learned from RS and applied that knowledge to their Singapore workbooks. Boy, those RS games really work!
All that said, we’re behind on math now since i switched them over to RS B, 2nd edition in the spring of 1st grade. I had hoped to continue math through the summer, but alas, my mom had cancer and so we didn’t school through the summer. So, we’ll march on through the end of RS B, and head into C (2nd Ed.) this fall. I’m dropping Singapore so it shouldn’t be hard to catch up. Two maths was too much, especially now that I’ll be starting my youngest in RS A (1st Ed). Note: It is okay to start in RS A ist Ed. and then switch to RS B 2nd Ed, but once you complete Level B (1st or 2nd) you’re pretty much locked in to whatever Ed. you chose for your Level B. There are just more concepts introduced in the 2nd Edition Level B, and this lays the foundation you need for 2nd Ed. Level C. Hope that makes sense. Call RS if you have any questions or ask questions at their booth at the next homeschool convention like I did. It was worth it!
Agree 100% Shawna! We also did RSA 1st ed and are currently on lesson 102 of RSB 2nd ed. I love the 2nd ed changes and will be buying the RSA 2nd ed for my 4yo. This is what I like better about 2nd ed:
- Manipulatives are used more often and sooner
- Games are played more often
- Lesson layout is much easier to follow
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