PRODUCTS WE USED: Math-U-See Primer
- Student Text
- Instruction Pack (Teacher’s Manual and DVD)
- Manipulative Block Set
- Skip Count CD and Book
TOTAL COST:
All materials were purchased new at a convention for $95 plus tax.
STUDENT BACKGROUND:
This curriculum was used to teach a 5 year old boy at the Kindergarten level. He began the year with some mathematical knowledge. He could count to 100 using 1:1 correspondence, skip count by 5s and 10s, do very basic addition, and identify basic shapes and numerals 0-9.
PROS:
- The DVD provides all of the teacher instruction necessary to teach the skill, so there is no need to worry that your own knowledge will fall short.
- Various learning methods (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) are used in each lesson.
- No number writing instruction included. Others may call this a con, but I don’t want handwriting cluttering up my math lessons.
- Not mastery based at this level. Just a fun introduction. All skills will be repeated in Alpha.
- Ample practice & review for this level.
- Downloadable supplements are available.
CONS:
- The teacher’s manual is not very useful. I was hoping it would have more activities and games, but it is pretty much a repeat of what is on the DVD.
- While I appreciate that there are not a ton of manipulatives needed, the dedication to using them for every single lesson was a bit ridiculous. Especially the elaborate clock that is built to teach time. A drawing of a regular clock would have been simpler.
- I felt that some Kindergarten skills were missing from this curriculum, namely an introduction to fractions, money, and measurements.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION:
We love Math-U-See Primer and I highly recommend it. I was drawn to the teaching style of Math-U-See right away and had a gut feeling that it would be a good match for Alex. The expense of it almost kept me away, and I actually purchased MCP Mathematics K
I also thought about skipping Primer since Alex already knew some of the skills taught and would see them again at the Alpha level. I’m glad I went with Primer though. Since Alpha begins the mastery based approach, I’m afraid we would be spending a long time on some of the new skills had he not already seen them at the Primer level this year.
I did not use the Skip Count CD when teaching the lessons, but Alex listens to it on his own. I’ve caught him singing some of the addition fact songs.
I was very nervous about buying a math curriculum. Most of them are pretty expensive, and I was worried about getting the ‘wrong’ one. That is pretty silly though as there is a robust used market out there for these materials so you can always resell. I have bought all of our Alpha products used. I am going to stick with what works, and we will continue to use Math-U-See for the foreseeable future.
I am not affiliated with Math-U-See in any way. All comments are my own opinion based on personal experience. Math-U-See did not provide any of the above materials to me for free and did not solicit a review.
Please see my legal disclosures regarding affiliate links.
from Amazon. Hubby attached them to our porch and screwed a hook on the back fence. Once installed, just buy some clothespins and you are all set. I like the retractable ones because they don’t take up any permanent space, but they really cannot hold up to a lot of weight. Don’t try to hang up a dozen pairs of jeans on these.
- The detergent I use (or the 
) for washing the diapers and covers (separate loads.) Yes, Tide contains enzymes which will shorten the lifespan of the diapers. But the enzymes also ensure that your diapers do not build up nasty bacteria that causes rashes. Also, the prefolds can stand up to a slightly harsher washing environment.
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, delve deeper into the subject with library books, possibly do an experiment, and notebook about what Alex learned. I hope to include a lot of notebooking next year, so this is our trial run.
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