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What do you use?

I just got Math-U-See for Hannah next year. I think she's really going to like it. I use Saxon for Mary and she really likes that one. :)

my oldest really wants a self-taught type of thing she can do

she's VERY hard-core independent and butts heads with me about everything

4th grade, btw

DH just wants to be sure her math skills are up to par, so he - hmm - I wonder if there's an electronic "game" where she can learn math skills?

She learns in different ways - books and writing are harder for her, she's more auditory

we use singapore for all the boys.

Math-U-See might work for her, then, since it's not parent-dependent for the most part.

We use MUS for a very similar reason. Emily does NOT want to be "helicoptered" while she's learning, especially not in Math.

~L

I like that term - that's exactly how Madison is.

Horizons for both kiddos. In the past I've tried Miquon, Oak Meadow, and Developmental Math. Oh...and I bought Saxon once but knew immediately it wasn't for us so I sold it before using it.

We just bought Miquon Math for Justin, who will be starting 1st grade. :)

We are using Singapore and Modern Curriculum Press, but as soon as ds is ready for Teaching Textbooks, I want to try that. (unless I fall by the wayside and decide Chalk Dust fits better).

Math-U-See for us!! We started with Saxon for my oldest during our first year of homeschooling, but she and I both hated it! Math U See is a much better fit for us!

m uses saxon, oak meadow math, calvert math, harold jacobs math, MPA, singapore, family math, SOS, spectrum, many math cdroms and games. the only one she doesnt/hasnt liked is MUS - as you can see she's my mathematician, she wont go anywhere without some sort of math workbook or textbook to study. she says her favourites are jacobs because he uses real life situations.

my oldest uses Saxon. We have checked out other curriculums, but Saxon fits him the best. He will be starting Saxon 65 in the fall.

My ds uses and loves Abeka. We tried MUS last year and it just wasn't his style at all, but I know that a lot of other families love it.

My children use Developmental Math until algebra-age. Entirely self-done other than correcting it, no frills.

We use Horizons and it's a fine program. Last year we did Rightstart but it wasn't a good fit for us.

Anyone use Right Start? It appeals to me in lots of ways but is supposed to be more teacher involved and time consuming. I'd love to hear some experiences.

Anyone use Right Start? It appeals to me in lots of ways but is supposed to be more teacher involved and time consuming. I'd love to hear some experiences.


I used their first level, Level A, last year. It was 100% teacher time as there were precious few worksheets. It was also completely manipulative based and while that's awesome for many kids, it wasn't for mine. My son has no difficulty with math but could never make his brain do the mental math that RS requires. For example, they were supposed to be able to close their eyes and picture the abacus in the heads and "do" the calculations with that mental abacus. That just didn't happen. My son couldn't do it and if there was a way to teach it, RS didn't mention it. It was just supposed to happen. Also, RS doesn't introduce subtraction in the first year (I don't know when they do) and they don't do division until the 4th year. I live in PA and we have to take a standardized test in 3rd grade which covers these skills. I know, I know, testing=bad, but still... ;)

So we switched to something more concrete and they're both doing fine. Except for the subtraction thing, RS A did convey enough to place both of my kids in Horizons first grade curricula so it's not like there's no math being taught or anything. These manipulative based programs just aren't for everyone. There are no required manipulatives in Horizons and my oldest has taken to it like a fish to water. It's like a sigh of relief for him.

I bought MUS at least 2 years ago and never used it so I think we will try that this year. DS is advanced in math so dh will have to take over math soon. :drop:

Thank you for sharing your experience, Elise! It's great to hear real experiences, positive and negative, to help with curriculum decisions.

my oldest really wants a self-taught type of thing she can do

she's VERY hard-core independent and butts heads with me about everything

4th grade, btw

DH just wants to be sure her math skills are up to par, so he - hmm - I wonder if there's an electronic "game" where she can learn math skills?

She learns in different ways - books and writing are harder for her, she's more auditory


I think that MUS would be great for her! there is workbook work to do, but you can choose how much of it she does. For instance, if she gets all of page A right, why do all of the problems on B and C. Myabe do just a few more before going on to the systematic review.

we are MUS all the way!!!

I'm stuck on math too. We used RightStart last year (Level A) and while I love the concepts, it was just too time consuming with two little ones. So we stopped doing it as often - not effective. I need something much quicker.

I'm wanting to buy MUS so bad but I am SCARED of the time committment on my part. Can anyone attest to that?

What I saw of MUS doing it in a co-op last year is that whatshisface on the DVD does a great job of explaining things - to the point that it didn't need much extra from us.

I just think it's a little easy/dull. But then, I don't know what each kid needs till we get there. Roro might love it.

I'm stuck on math too. We used RightStart last year (Level A) and while I love the concepts, it was just too time consuming with two little ones. So we stopped doing it as often - not effective. I need something much quicker.

I'm wanting to buy MUS so bad but I am SCARED of the time committment on my part. Can anyone attest to that?


OMG! I find that there is absolutely NO prep work! Steve Deming does a wonderful job explaining everything!

I got a previous edition of Saxon free from a friend (54 and 65) so that's what we use. Works for us. If we hs beyond that, I may look into Teaching Textbooks.