Think Hard about Math-u-see.

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Think Hard about Math-u-see.

by Peta Baird
(Castle Hill, Sydney)

We have used the curriculum for 7 years now and I am in the process of changing to Teaching Textbooks. I don't want to be seen as trouble maker but, Math-u-see has it good points but many bad ones also. My children have grown very tired of the repetitive nature of the work and found the concentration on math principles to be difficult.

There is not variety like other programs with the math principles. My children have taken a long time to a complete books because of the nature of the program. This in itself frustrates them as they feel they are getting no where quickly.

I think if you were to use it with other curricula, it is great as you learn solid math concepts. I have used the keys to fractions decimals and soon to use percents along with it to get my children up to scratch with where they should be to enter into teaching textbooks.

Before changing to Math-u-see I very much compel you to think lengthy about the decision as using other programs hand in hand with can become quite expensive but the up side is you will have a complete math system teaching topics in depth. I for one am not sticking it out any longer as my children are tiring greatly of math.

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Think Hard about Math-u-see.

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Dec 23, 2008
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Glad to hear that I am not the only one....
by: Teacher

I am a special education teacher whose school has mandated the math-u-see program (for special education only). I've taught it at alpha, beta and gamma level to special education students. From what I can tell, the alpha level seems fine, beta is alright, but by gamma the students are sick of the blocks. They don't like the program. I've discussed using the blocks less with the rep, who has said that with out the blocks, the program is nothing. As a teacher, I question the validity of continually requiring the use of manipulatives, rather than just providing them as an option.

I also am familiar with the state tests in our state and do not feel that math-u-see aligns as well with those standards as the regular education programs.

I know this is a homeschool site, but I'm not sure that this program is comparable to programs being used by regular education teachers. This would bother me as a parent. I would not use this program with my own children.

I love the advice to think very carefully about what your goals are for your child. This might teach a few concepts clearly, but it certainly does not advocate abstract concepts or higher order thinking. If your child needs the manipulatives and has math as a particular area of weakness, maybe MUS will still be great.

I'm so glad that people are looking at other options!

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Dec 23, 2008
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Submitted by: Teacher

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I am a special education teacher whose school has mandated the math-u-see program (for special education only). I've taught it at alpha, beta and gamma level to special education students. From what I can tell, the alpha level seems fine, beta is alright, but by gamma the students are sick of the blocks. They don't like the program. I've discussed using the blocks less with the rep, who has said that with out the blocks, the program is nothing. As a teacher, I question the validity of continually requiring the use of manipulatives, rather than just providing them as an option. I also am familiar with the state tests in our state and do not feel that math-u-see aligns as well with those standards as the regular education programs. I know this is a homeschool site, but I'm not sure that this program is comparable to programs being used by regular education teachers. This would bother me as a parent. I would not use this program with my own children. I love the advice to think very carefully about what your goals are for your child. This might teach a few concepts clearly, but it certainly does not advocate abstract concepts or higher order thinking. If your child needs the manipulatives and has math as a particular area of weakness, maybe MUS will still be great. I'm so glad that people are looking at other options!

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Dec 09, 2008
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We love Life of Fred
by: Caroline

I actually supplement LOF with the older program of MUS that I got for about $15. Fred is very engaging and focuses on word problems which (by MUS's admission) is the whole goal of math, ultimately. Fred utilizes all kinds of operations in each problem and quickly works to multi-step problems. When this gets too fast I slow down and do a lesson with MUS that explains it slowly.

If your child can imagine things well then Fred is WONDERFUL. If they have to touch something, then MUS would be great too.

We are going to continue through the end of Fred and supplement as needed, but really Fred explains things extremely well.

Oct 03, 2008
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Add a review
by: Anonymous

I'd love to hear a review on Life of Fred. You can add it to the Life of Fred page here: Life of Fred

Oct 02, 2008
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Math-U-See is out for us too
by: Anonymous

We have used this program for several years as well, and have found the same thing, my son was starting to hate Math. The repetitiveness just got to be too much, and he was never mastering it. We found numerous errors in the problems and answers and although the website encourages you to report them, we were called by a Canadian Rep and treated rudely each time. Even when ordering she was not nice. We stopped reporting the errors and now have stopped the program.
We switched to 'Life of Fred' and my son loves it and can't wait to do his math. What a joy to see the love of math return to him.