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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Jan 23, 2012
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Math U See
by: Christine

I'm curious where you're at now? We used Saxon -hated it - fell in love with MUS, got bored switched to TT and eventually fell back to MUS because it explained concepts best...But I find it a drag to use and my girls aren't into the blocks...

Dec 19, 2011
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Math U See
by: Anonymous

I have been homeschooling our 7 yr old daughter since she was in preschool. Last year I had used the typical "school style" ways of learning math. Cute little books, Flash cards etc. You name it, it was worksheets being done but she couldn't do them on her own without help.

She started with Alpha Math U See, which has some review of what she had already learned. I wanted her to "Get it" before moving on and later finding out she had missed an important concept.

She loves it. She will ask to watch the video several times. Then we do a worksheet together and the next day 2 then if she still needs to review we do more. Mainly as a practice. If she does seem to do well without any help we do our test. I don't let her continue without mastery.

She so far has done all her tests with no mistakes. Bottom line is if they are getting bored mix it up, don't do it every day. We don't. Add another worksheet or game to test their skills. They love to find out they really do get math and understand it using another curriculum and not just math u see.

As far as standardized testing goes I don't really understand why as homeschool parent you would be worried other than if you think your child might end up in traditional school or curiousity. If it is important to you please understand that Math U See does not go by grade level but by subject mastery levels.

If you are concerned about standardized testing see what they are requiring and match your curriculum choice to the test. I am not familiar with the upper grades but have heard nothing but good results. This is our first year using and so far we have had great results. I like to hear other opinions and hope this helps someone considering it as a math option.

Feb 06, 2011
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Fun to jump around
by: Anonymous

We seem to hit a wall with each math curriculum, but have had good success jumping around. I've used MUS, Horizons, Singapore, Miquon, Rightstart. I like MUS and Rightstart the most and we move back and forth between them as they present math concepts in such completely different ways. I feel my kids are developing a great confidence with math due to the multipLe curriculums and approaches that we use. I also print worksheets off math-drills.com for them to do for warm-up. This also helps them a lot and they get use to the extra drill work. I agree that MUS can get boring, but we're loving it right now after working with Rightstart for the past 6 or so months. With burnout try something new.

Jan 07, 2011
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Math-u-see is flexible and can be used as it suits
by: Anonymous

Great to see everyone offering detailed comments!

When we first transferred to Math-u-see from another program, we only watched the lesson video and then did the test. 12yoboy had done the work before in another curriculum but it became obvious as he moved through, that the other had not taught him what he needed to know. So we went back again and only did the Systematic review pages. This was enough for him.

on the other hand, 9yoboy had to redo the whole book to fill his gaps.

6yoboy has trouble with his writing, and yet I have found just watching the videos have been great for him. He's currently using math skills of a gr3 in every day life, from just watching the videos. Likewise, 4yogirl is coming up with math sums etc just from watching the videos. Sure one day they'll have to write, but just now, I'm just pleased that they are all enjoying math! Perhaps if they want to graduate to the next video, I'll get them to do the test book only, like I did with the first child.

Jul 04, 2010
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wouldn't change a thing
by: Anonymous

This was our first year of homeschooling. My son was going into the 10th grade and having asked since 4th grade and 3 moves later we gave it a shot. Our chaplains wife recommended math u see. Other friends children were using teaching textbooks and saxon but experiencing difficulty.
I went with math u see and my son loves it.

Feb 22, 2010
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Math u see is a keeper
by: Anonymous

Math u see was recommended by so many home schooling mums when I first started homeschooling I just had to try it. Now my children adore math and love the teaching style. I understand that if a pro-gramme is not working for you change, but the fact that we are learning the principles and the children are really understanding every concept they learn makes math u see a keeper for us and so many of my friends too.

Oct 08, 2009
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To each his own...
by: Anonymous

I believe that every child has their own learning styles, likes and dislikes - that is why we homeschool! We are able to change things as we see fit.

If your children appear bored with MUS, then change. I know some parents don't give curriculums a fair shake and quit far too soon or change curriculum much too often.

Having said that, my 4th grade daughter came home from public school this year after struggling in math for 3 years. The school curriculum (which changed concepts much too often and quickly for her) had frustrated and confused her. So we went back to the Beta book to solidfy those foundations. She is halfway through Beta now and loves math! The blocks build her understanding and confidence to where she doesn't use them on concepts that she has mastered - why would she?

We also have not done every page in the book because I fear that once they have proved mastery, they very well may become bored.

BTW, my 7yo son and 5yo son are also using MUS and loving it! They were so far ahead that I announced we would take a day off from math and all 3 children opposed my decision - who am I to fight if they love math?

Sep 22, 2009
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Your telling on yourself.
by: Math Tutor @ Home

One thing is obvious in your report on Math-U-See, you set your standard for what your children were required to do and apparently never read what Mr. Demme allowed you for leeway to prevent all the problems you claim the curriculum presented. It was not Math-U-See as a curriculum that was your problem. It has been shown to be #1 by vote of the parents every year. That alone told me what I needed to know to use it. My children do not do every page. In the advanced levels, they only use the blocks to show me how they can prove their wrong answers right and thus have become self-correcting. I would never switch to a program where I "stop teaching" and someone on a DVD does it for me. When they get lost, I trust you remember when you were teaching them and could understand what they knew and how to help them know and prove their answers.

May 15, 2009
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We like MUS, so far
by: Sue

My son left 3rd grade with a 98 average in the Texas math program, and made a 99 percentile on his standardized test. I tried to start mid-way through the Gamma book (based upon his previous spiral curriculum) and the child couldn't multiply!! Anything! OK, maybe the lower numbers, but we started on chapter one and went through very quickly and by the end of 4th grade, he's finished Delta and can actually divide! Anything!

The first video tells you to go as fast as your child is able and if s/he doesn't need to do all the pages, or all the review, don't do them, just move on. We've done them all, but I'm after complete mastery. I will watch for boredom, but I'm not sure any child really LIKES math, do they? I didn't, but then they used the mastery method back then and didn't slow down for anybody...

Thanks for the input on other programs, and things to watch for in the future! I'm always happy to hear of other people's experiences.

Apr 07, 2009
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Switching from Math U See to Teaching Text Books
by: Karen from Alabama

I have been using Math U See for 7 years and as my daughter is now entering 8th grade, I want her to work more independently. Teaching Textbooks seems like the right answer according to all the reviews from fellow homeschool moms. Upon careful observation of Teaching Textbook Pre-algebra I discovered that 75% of the book would be a review for my daughter. Changing to TT from MUS would set her back a year!

I find MathUSee is more advanced!

You master a concept before moving on to the next which allows you to move at your own pace.It has given a great foundation for her in math. My daugter can tackle advanced math problems given the skills she has learned with MUS.

Math U See does not reflect high grades on standardized tests, that is true. But if you consider most standard tests are based on Iowa curriculum then unless you use Iowa curriculum you are not going to do as well on a national scale.

Bottom line...I know my daugther is getting a wonderful Math education! We are not switching!

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!

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.

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