Is there much difference between the old and new Math-U-See?

We are using the older one (Foundations, I think) and I am noticing that it is starting to get a lot harder really fast. Do the new versions eliminate this?

I am having to supplement with other resources to slow the pace down a bit. Input on this would greatly be appreciated.

We use the old one too. But a friend of mine purchased the new version for her kids. She said it has more practice and extra work available for the lessons. It might be what you need.

I'm thinking of changing to MUS... my neighbor has been tempting me. Right now we are still just playing games and I make sure that they are meeting educational standards... which they are doing just fine right now.

But I am thinking about starting something like this with Adam next year (K) MAYBE. Although, dh will be gone for the year... do I dare even try to add another kid to the school thing? He's fine with just learning to read and playing games... sigh...

(sorry - rambling as usual)

tell me more about MUS. How would one transition to MUS from doing not much of anything formal? My kids are around a 3rd/4th grade level in math skillls... where would I even start? Is it something that the readers can do a lot of on their own? Or do I need to sit right there the entire time and guide every little step?

I have heard of many independent kids doing MUS by themselves. They watch the video and then do the lesson themselves.

There is a placement test.

Hey Chelsie,

We just switched from Foundations to Beta (in the new curriculum). My DS didn't have any problem with Foundations. He was always able to take things as they came (even if I thought they were hard, he had no problem picking it up). We always did a lesson til he mastered it, though. We were originally going to switch after Foundations and go into Gamma. Then, I decided to switch to Gamma after he had completed everything in Beta. Then, I was looking at the Beta placement test, and it seemed like there were things he would miss if I skipped him right to Gamma. So, we switched, and I'm SOOOO glad we did. The new curriculum is GREAT!!! Even better than the old one. The worksheets are different. There are now 6 for each lesson, and the first 3 focus just on the lesson topic, and the other 3 include review as well. There is a separate test booklet, so no more copying tests. The biggest advantage, though, is that the new curriculum introduces only 1 topic per lesson instead of 1-3. Anyway, there is a link to scope and sequence for Beta here: http://www.mathusee.com/pdfs/betascope.pdf

and a link to other levels here: http://www.mathusee.com/sequence.html

Do look at the placement tests, too, so you know what your kids have to learn before you switch. Half of the Beta is review for my DS, but it's worth it to make sure he gets everything he needs before he switches to a higher level. HTH!

Thanks Carol, This is exactly what I needed to know :)