Cindy Rinna

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How to Love Math: A Look at Math-U-See & a Giveaway

ADHD· Autism· Curriculum· Dyslexia· Homeschool· Outside-the-Box Kids

I received a complimentary level of Math-U-See in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Please read my disclaimer in the footer for more information.

I grew up hating math.

See, I was always the kid who was really great at writing, reading and english but not so great at math and science. I quickly categorized myself as a right-brainer and conceded to the fact that I would never be good at math. I therefore set the scene of my academic career – excelling in language arts and learning just enough math to pass a test.

Sound familiar to anyone?

To be honest, this didn’t seem to disrupt life too much until recently. See, as a writer, I just avoided math like the plague in college, taking only what was required. As a waitress, I figured out enough math to decide if someone had left me a good tip or not and as a domestic engineer, I’ve learned how to double recipes.

This seemed to be enough until I decided to homeschool my kids.

My kids are little, so I wasn’t too scared at first – but I quickly realized that the older they got, the more my lack of math knowledge would show.

I knew I wanted a mastery program to ensure the boys would fully understand what they learned. I know growing up this was a huge factor in my dislike for math – math facts build on each other and if you don’t understand a concept, you can never develop it further. I feel like somewhere very early on, that happened and I just never recovered from it.

I also knew I wanted something tactile, working with manipulatives, because our boys are very hands-on.

Secretly though, what I really wanted was for someone else to teach my kids math.

Enter Math-U-See and an answered prayer.

How to Love Math via My Life as a Rinnagade

When I found Math-U-See– a mastery-based, multi-sensory program that helps the kids to work at their own pace – I was more than excited to review it.

So, what makes Math-U-See unique?

Let’s watch a quick video to answer that…

Here’s a great quote from the website that sums it all up:

Math-U-See is designed to teach students specific skills that build as the student progresses. This systematic and cumulative approach uses a definite, logical sequence of concept instruction. The Math-U-See system is structured with step-by-step procedures for introducing, reviewing, practicing, and mastering concepts. Each lesson teaches using multi-sensory tools such as videos, manipulatives, and other resources, designed to appeal to any type of learner.

So how do we use it?

Because we homeschool, that is the view I write this from. That being said, Math-U-See is also is also great for co-op (see their online co-op) and tutoring.

When our twins were diagnosed with autism, we knew that would become the lens we saw things through when making choices for them – especially academic choices. We knew, like with any child, we needed to play to their strengths in looking for curriculum. One of the quickest things I began to understand about the way they learn is that they do better without any fluff – let’s just get right to the point.

Math-U-See does just that. 

This curriculum could easily be called “Math-4-Rinnagades.” This is not your traditional math program. How excited are the boys to build during math? They have spent almost an equal time playing with the bricks in their “off time” as they have doing the work. Although this is not specifically for special needs (anyone can use it), I have not seen a better math program for kids with autism.

MUS Review via My Life as a Rinnagade

We’ve completed the Primer and Alpha levels and are excited to begin Beta later this year.

The Primer is the first book of the complete K-12 curriculum. This book is intended for Kindergarten or earlier, but do not get hung up on grade levels. The Primer goes over very general math skills including counting, place value, reading and writing and recognizing numbers, addition, time and more. The children are also introduced to the manipulative block system.

Alpha moves specifically into addition and subtraction of single digit numbers, as well as other topics. (He enjoys the math…having his picture taken, not so much ;))

MUS Review2 via My Life as a Rinnagade

Math-U-See stands out for five main reasons:

1. The Video Teaching
Included with the teacher’s manual is a DVD. The creator of the program, Steve, (We’d call him Mr. Demme to his face, but at home the boys love to watch “Steve!”) teaches an introduction to the lesson. The boys can watch it as many times as they need to understand the concept. Of course, I watch it along with them so I can help explain (and actually learn math for myself!). I love this, especially in anticipation of the more difficult years ahead.

2. Short Lessons
This screams Charlotte Mason but know that no matter what homeschool style you follow, Math-U-See is for you. If the boys seem to be flying through the material, it is easy to “test out” onto the next lesson instead of enduring repetition that is unnecessary. If the new lesson is easy for them, they can just skip ahead to the review.

3. The Manipulative Bricks
This surely is where the curriculum gets its name because it is literally math you can see.

4. It is a Mastery Program
This is the opposite of spiral, which most of us are familiar with from traditional school. In the mastery program, your child works on a topic until it is mastered before moving on.

5. Stewardship
I know secondary math is a long way off for us, but I was beyond impressed that they took the time to make this a course all to itself. This alone will ensure we stick with the curriculum long term :).

So you’re thinking…sounds great, how do I get started?

MUS Review3 via My Life as a Rinnagade

Well, I’ve got some good news and some even better news.

The good news, is Math-U-See makes it really easy to figure out how to place your student and get started with your materials.

The even better news is that they want to give away an entire level to one of my lucky readers.

Told you it was even better news ;).

We’ll get to the giveaway in a minute. First let me tell you how to get started…

The initial assessment is the first step in documenting a student’s academic performance. This ensures that you place your child in the appropriate entry level and helps you identify holes in his past understanding.

Once your child is placed, you can determine which materials you need for instruction. Then read over the Four-Step Approach to understand how to get the most from the Math-U-See program.

Now back to the giveaway…

Math-U-See giveaway via My Life as a Rinnagade

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you ever heard of Math-U-See? What do you look for in a math curriculum?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Lori says

    Heard about this program at a homeschool store and though this might be up my son’s ally. Been researching it due the store not carrying the product.

  7. Debby says

    This looks awesome. I love the testing out. I am still trying to decide if I would start with something at my middle child’s age or my older child. My youngest is too little for any yet!!!

  9. Janelle Ramsli says

    =D we LOVE MUS I used it as a child and starting off using it with my kids! I think I would do stewardship cause my mom needs this one next and I would love to let her use it! =D

  17. Shelly Vaughan says

    We’ve used MUS since the beginning….I’m not a “math person” either! I clepped out of it so I wouldn’t have to take any in college! But this program works and now even I enjoy math! (We need the geometry book next). I have a hs and middle schooler and we plan to use MUS all the way through!

  18. Melissa Kay says

    We love Math-U-See!!! It has helped my kids tremendously in math. We have used the Primer and Alpha levels. I would love to get the Beta level next.

  19. Kalista says

    I’ve been looking at Math-U-See but haven’t taken the plunge yet. I don’t handle change well. haha We would be using Delta if I decide to go for it!

  22. Liz C says

    I would love to use this curriculum for my daughter who struggles with math. Beta is the level she would use.

  32. Jane-Holly says

    We love Math U See at my house! I need Alpha for my new first grader next year and Beta for my second grader!

  33. Laura says

    Would love primer level because it looks like it would be good for both special needs and non special needs kids. Thanks!

  35. Karen says

    We love Math-U-See too and have experienced great success with it. Our next level will be Gamma. What a great give-a-way and great review.

  36. melano says

    I love math u see! What a fantastic giveaway. I would definitely love an alpha set for my younger sons. My older kids didn’t start until beta, unfortunately.

  39. Cindy says

    Brandy, we’ve found it to be a great fit with our boys! I’d love to be of any help when you get started!

  43. Kris says

    I would love this. My child will be in kindergarten in the fall and it just sounds like a great fit.

  46. Lina Hayes says

    Heard many great reviews even though they are common core aligned. Would give it a try if I got it!!

  47. Tina Marie says

    My son is just about to finish up Beta. This is the first math book that we were able to finish in a school year with success. He is almost 10 and finally getting it.

  48. JPenz says

    We use Math U See and highly recommend it. My oldest child’s next level is Epsilon. It would be wonderful to win it!

  54. Laura says

    My husband and I were very impressed with the demo video from Math-U-See. We sure could use the Beta package! 🙂

  58. Melissa h. says

    I would choose first grade level because that’s what grade my daughter is going into!

  59. Natasha Smith says

    I have been looking at making the switch to Math-U-See. I also have a special needs child. Finding the right math curriculum has been tough. I hope we win the giveaway!

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