Sunday, June 11, 2006

saxon math : Math U See

We have used MUS for two years and love it. We have tried Making Math Meaningful (heavy on theory, light on practice, and slow-moving) and also Saxon. With Saxon, my 4th grade son was bogged down, and my 1st grade daughter was bored and still counting on her fingers.

A friend told me about MUS. I saw a demo at a homeschool convention and was blown away. We have used the new versions, Alpha through Zeta. My kids watch the DVD's with me, and I usually have very little explaining to do, unless it is a particularly difficult concept. Each lesson has three practice pages for the new skill, and three review pages. I love that we can move at our own pace. If we "get it" right away, we do one or two practice pages, one review page, and move on to the next lesson. If we need more time we might spend a whole week on a lesson. My son has done 3 1/2 books in two years, and will be doing Pre-Algebra next year as a 7th grader.

There are a good amount of story problems. If you stick with the curriculum, telling time, money, liquid, linear, and metric measurements are covered through the elementary years. As far as testing goes, I think scores could seem low at first. A third grader doing Gamma will rock at multipication, but will not be able to do much division. Again, I think if you stick with it, by 6th or 7th grade the test scores will reflect competence and understanding.

It can be a little expensive, especially the years you have to buy the block or fractions overlays. I think it is worth it though. My kids have different learning styles, and different attitudes about math, and both of them are succeeding with this curriculum.

by DawnMichelle

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