We are trying to decide on which math to go with for my daughters 5th grade year. I have used Saxon up until now but I believe the manipulatives in Math You See will be something to keep her engaged with the lesson. What do you think?
2007-03-08 05:45:36 · 10 answers · asked by Melissa C 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Home Schooling
I've done 4 math programs, including the two you mention, so of course I feel COMPELLED to answer this question!!
I started with Abeka math, which was really good because many curricula do not have much real learning in the preschool and kinder level. By the end of 2nd grade I did not like the ABB math because they were spending so much time on multiplication and division - there were other things they couldn't cover at all. It is like if you decided to teach your 3 yo how to tie his shoes so he'd appear to others to be ahead, so you spent all your time doing that, and he learned it and impressed people, BUT didn't know his colors or to say 'please' and 'thank you.'
I switched to Bob Jones math because I had HomeSat. We used that for a few years but the lessons were too long and repetitious. I started just teaching the worksheet to my kids but that didn't work either because BJ uses chapters so has the review in the TE, not in the workbook.
I switched to Saxon for grades 5, 6, and pre-alg, and bought the DIVE CD's. This worked for awhile, but...our computer at the time would dual-boot, so to watch the few minutes of lesson the kids would have to switch it over, and it turned out to be faster for me to teach them myself, so they watched fewer and fewer lessons. I had them do every other or every third problem. This worked fine till my oldest hit pre-alg. She did not watch a single lesson although I had the DIVE CD, and with my capable teaching, she got farther and farther behind. When she was about 2/3 of the way through the book I had to make a decision. Go back a few lessons, have her start at the beginning and watch the lessons, or switch programs. We switched to MathUSee in the middle of last year. She did not do the whole book, but did need to do about 2/3 of it. She did GREAT and LOVES it. The teacher has a gift for explaining it. This year she is doing algebra and doing WONDERFULLY, and my son is doing great with the pre-alg. Let me add here: it is not just the program. The day we got it in the mail last year I started spending more time on math; I was not spending enough time teaching it and overseeing that first worksheet for each concept, and when i got a new program, I made a new start, too. So how much of it is the program and how much is me? I don't know, but we all love the MathUSee and it has made our school days so much easier. I would recommend it over the Saxon in a flash, but I know everyone has their own preferences, PLUS I did not start MathUSee as early as you are considering doing it. Your daughter will get a thorough math education no matter which you choose. Oh, one other thing I like about MUS is that if I can't remember a particular thing in Algebra, all I have to watch is one lesson; in Saxon I had to watch MANY lessons on the DIVE CD.
2007-03-09 02:34:03 · answer #1 · answered by Cris O 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on what kind of learner she is. Saxon math is very repetitive, and for early maths, most of my kids disliked it because chapter after chapter, it has the same problems. In one way it's good, because it builds on what you've already learned, but it can be very tedious for a child who learns quickly and gets frustrated with busy work.
Math U See is good for kids who need to be hands-on to learn. If she won't learn math by watching the solution being done (like saxon explains in it's chapters) then Math U See might be better.
I think right now the best thing is keeping that love of math high, and the frustration low.
2007-03-09 09:58:38 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter (now 9th grade) used Saxon and she has an amazing foundation of math under her belt. It is a solid curriculum and easy for the students to understand. As it progressed in to algebra I did not like that it did not have detailed solutions manuals (just one of my little things).
The downside to Saxon is it is not very engaging.
I have several friends that have used Math U See from beginning to highschool level and all are very satisfied with it.
I have watched the DVD's looked at the workbooks, and teacher's manuals and I think it is an excellent program as well.
Wouldn't you know, my kids are polar opposites when it comes to learning styles. :)
My son would be a prime candidate for Math U See because he is very much a hands on learner. It's great for that and I love the manipulatives.
If your daughter is more hands on, this may be a good choice for her.
2007-03-08 14:40:42 · answer #3 · answered by Terri 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My kids are in 1st and 2nd and still are using A Beka math. We are planning on using Saxon starting around 4th because of all the great things we have heard about it. I have now also started to hear some good things about Math U See as well. I would say go with your gut. You know your child best.
2007-03-08 14:01:08 · answer #4 · answered by Jennifer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your daughter enjoys the repetition of Saxon and is doing well, then stick with it. If she's getting bored with it, then by all means, switch. Saxon is one of those programs kids can end up really hating! MUS is very good. And the manipulatives can really help make higher level concepts so much clearer.
2007-03-08 20:34:08 · answer #5 · answered by glurpy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Saxon!!! Saxon is easy and very efficient for young and older students. They really help water and break everything for you! Yes they can have some more time consuming methods, but they don't just throw the math at you like A-beka. Truly, I am sure your daughters will like it!
2007-03-08 20:49:41 · answer #6 · answered by Daughter of a Coma Guy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SAXON!!!!! I was homeschooled and Saxon was the ONLY math that got through my thick skull. I really liked how it gave a good variety of problems, and I could be pretty self-sufficiant. With Math-U-See I felt it 'babied' the math, and I couldn't go on until my mom had a moment to sit down with me and watch the stupid video (which didn't help much)
2007-03-08 14:05:40 · answer #7 · answered by wildchild 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Saxon math is a wonderful way to teach kids. I would not use any other material.
2007-03-08 18:25:51 · answer #8 · answered by tante 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when i was in elementary i hated saxon and loved math u see. I have a problem with numbers i can hardly add. Math u see was at my grade leval and i understood it.
2007-03-09 14:59:42 · answer #9 · answered by skater-chick133131 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm am currently in algerbra and I love the math u see program. It really helped me and I think you should get your daughter started with that.
2007-03-08 15:31:58 · answer #10 · answered by Monica H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋