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Switching from MUS to Rays
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I am considering switching to Rays Arithmetic for my kids but we have been using MUS and switching to any other math program seems impossible. My kids are all “behind” in math and I am afraid switching will set us back further. Because we have used MUS I feel like even my 7th grader should start with Rays Primary to lay a foundation for things he has not yet covered. Is it reasonable to put a math allergic kid in Rays at his grade level? Is it reasonable to go back a level or two when he hits a wall? For example he hasnt done anything with decimals or percents, so when we get to decimals in Rays would it make sense to find the book where decimals are introduced and do most of those lessons in all of the previous books? Or will that just take way too long? Should I forget the idea of switching this late in the game? I do not think MUS will have enough teaching and explanation for him at the algebra level so I want to find something with more explanation and instruction. I was considering Teaching Textbooks but it is so pricey. I like that Rays seems to really teach the thinking skills and not just the procedure for solving numbers on a sheet of paper. Any help would be appreciated.
Crystal
Where are they at for MUS? my oldest will be doing Zeta next year (6th grade) and covering Decimals.
Are they behind from moving through the material slowly or behind from not understanding the material?
Switching math can be tough because different scope and sequence, and MUS is different. Asking if it is struggle in math or struggle with MUS. If it is a struggle with math you might have to start back at beginning, but if just MUS then you might just pick and choose what to introduce and go more quickly through the early levels.
I know quite a few that like CLE but it is spiral and for some too much all at once. I know quite a few that like TT a lot as well, are able to find used and have been very happy.
My oldest is just finishing up Epsilon, in 7th grade. He really struggles with math, and I have switched a lot trying to find a good fit. I am starting to feel spending a whole year on the same function may not be working well for him. I think he kinda muttles through without really owning the material. It feels like there is very little thinking involved. I am not sure how to explain what mean, but he does not seem to be able to apply his math knowledge to real life. My younger two are not struggling, but I am starting to think I do not prefer the MUS scope and sequence, I think spiral might be a better fit. I was thinking of putting each kid a year behind in Rays, working through just the parts we need over the summer. That would reinforce and familiarize them with the style, then by fall-ish they would hopefully be ready for their appropriate level. Or if it doesnt work for us then back to MUS. Hopefully without losing ground.
If your children struggle with math, and I am assuming that they are working independently on it all the time, then any curriculum is going to be difficult.
If you want an independent curriculum, Math-U-See, Teaching Textbooks, or the Ray’s for Today arithmetic levels that are independent should be ok(Ray’s for Today levels are not all finished yet).
Be prepared to slow it down, practice other ways, and possibly repeat levels if needed.
If you want to teach it yourself, then purchase SCM’s living math book and dvd, and join their Facebook group. They recommend Ray’s and Strayer Upton, as well as other resources.
Thanks retrofam, I did not realize the SCM living math recommended Rays, I may get that. I would love to teach my children math, but I feel completely inadequate to do so beyond the basics. Is it possible to teach higher level maths that I never learned myself? I think they really need me to teach it, they do ok on their own, but I think it would add so much if I could really help them through it. I really dont mind repeating levels so they really get it, my fear is that repeating levels will only make us more behind if I repeat them using the same teaching strategy, if that makes sense. I think they arent getting it because I am not doing an adequate job. Giving them a video and a worksheet just isnt cutting it. I think maybe Rays will force me to do that.
I think that if you want to teach them, and realize that they aren’t doing well independently, then that’s a great thing. SCM’s materials are a good start.
For higher math, you will need to work alongside your teen, or a bit ahead of them. It is intimidating, but you will have the answer key;) It is a great model for your kids to see, a mom who does difficult things and understands their struggles.
I’m a drop out of the Facebook group. I teach better with more traditional lesson plans. I do use the SCM video as a supplement, when I need to present a concept a different way or practice.
You are right that if your child isn’t getting the concept taught one way, he or she may need to see it a different way.
We returned to MUS for dd13, because I think seeing the concepts with blocks helps her. She loves traditional curriculum. There are many ways to use Math U See, including teaching the lessons from the teacher’s manuals instead of videos, and generating extra worksheets on the website if needed. Having the student teach the concept back to you helps a lot.
As far as getting behind, understanding is more important. My dd13 is behind in math, but she still has plenty of time to do algebra 1 and 2, and geometry. I add Stewardship Math in 12th grade. That is plenty of math for her. She could always take pre calculus at a community college later if she needs it.
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