Thinking about this for my son (yes, we've started school and I have no Math curriculum for him). Can I get by with just the Primer Teacher Text and the Starter set of blocks? Or do I HAVe to have all the rest of it. Primer is probably basic for him, but I want to start from scratch for him...he needs it. THANKS Also...is it possible to buy the stuff 2nd hand anywhere?
I love Math U See and my daughter is on Epsilon. You would need the student text for sure. As far as I know the only things to buy are the student and teacher text and bock set. Then you'll be able to use the bocks year after year. Yes you can buy it used but I'm not sure where. Sometimes people here have used curriculum to sell but it is probably too late this year because I think most will have already bought or sold what they need for the year. Another thing is that I let Samantha write in her student text but I keep my teacher text each year. That way when Grace is old enough to use that program all I have to buy is a new student text and I'll have everything else. Math U See is a great program and it really works for my daughter.
If you had to skip parts of it I would skip the teacher's stuff. We have used Primer through Gamma and I have yet to crack the teachers manual or DVDs. The student stuff is hard to find used because it is designed to be consumable. The blocks can often be found used but you won't save much money. Most sets I have seen are almost as much as new. AM
I do agree that for the first few levels on MUS you really don't need the teacher edition unless you can't add or subtract! We are on Epsilon this year and I find the DVD and teacher guide very helpful. Before each new lesson Samantha and I watch the dvd together which is about 3 - 4 mins long and that really helps her understand but before we never used the DVD.
Another questions...I was originally going to get Primer - but a friend of mine said if he can add, even a little bit, Primer would be too easy for him... Should I get Alpha? I guess, looking at the website, that would be okay, but I'm skeptical... Yes? No?
Go to the website www.mathusee.com and on the left hand side it will say placement. Click on that and there you can print tests from each level to see where your child it at. It is free and easy and then you will know for certain what to buy before you buy it!
Thanks MM. I did see those. The placement tests START with the Alpha, not Primer. I have seen primer, my friend lent it to me. I'm thinking that we'll order Alpha, and if for some reason he's really struggling with it, then we'll order Primer and start over. I'm acutally thinking that looking at the Scope & Squ. for Alpha, it would be a better fit, there is a lot in Primer he'd have mastery of. Sadly, I'm a begin at the beginning type person! LOL I need to get over that!
You could have him take the Alpha placement test and see how he does. I understand being a begin at the begining type person! Sometimes I have to let that go and sometimes that is hard!
MM....the placement tests are for the COMPLETION of the book right? Like, I see the Alpha Test...I know he couldn't pass that. BUT, if it would teach him how to, then that's where he should start, right? I did review the list of the scope for Primer, and I agree, he knows MOST of it. My friend says alot is hit on in Alpha, quickly, review type. Still watching the ebay and waiting on hubby to help me decided (financially). AHHHHH!!!!
i say to get the teachers dvd as it helped me soooooo much, but you could skip the teachers book. u will need student book & blocks (primer you can get away with one set, but I am not sure after that.)?? I love Math U See and so does my ds5
Thanks Jill. My friend (who's been using MUS for 4 years now), said that I SHOULD be able to get by with the starter set for up to the first half of Alpha. I'm thinking of getting hubby into the outlay for Teacher Text DVD and Student Text witht he starter blocks. THEN in a few months when we're going well on it, order the songs and the completer set. I really am sad that I feel like I'm getting my groove with my son, and I missed all this with DD. She's a GREAT student and loves her work, but I wonder if it would have been greater had I started this with her! I'm slow on the get go, ya know? I don't know, she's a different kind of learner (totally workbook, let her read something and try it on her own, and she likes it that way). Sigh. Wish I could start over!
