I have been planning to use Horizons for my DDs this year. But I am concerned about my 1st grader. (will be 2nd) She really, really dislikes math - esp subtraction. She can do it, but she really, really, doesn't like to. It is not easy for her. I have tried using manipulatives (coins) and that does make the problems easier for her. I have talked to her about fact families and using doubles to help. But I am afraid I am just confusing her. So. Does anyone think MathUSee would be a better approach than Horizons? She likes watching TV :angel:. And maybe the manipulatives will help. Honestly I am thinking about doing both! (except for the effects on my pocket book!) ~Jess
My kids are very hands on learners. They also needed manipulatives to get the full picture. What I did was gave them counters of their choosing. Here is a company that I have dealt with. http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=23031 These are perfect for math, grouping, colors, etc.
Katie, those are cute counters! Jess, Math-U-See may be THE thing for your dd. Very hands-on kids seem to do well with Math-U-See. If you get Math-U-See, I'd progress at dd's rate. If she hates math at this time, then having her do TWO programs could totally overwhelm her. Let her gain some positive victories in what she's doing before you introduce more. Also, don't worry about where she's at right now. Don't think, "Oh, I need to get her through this book, she's getting behind!" No, she's right where she needs to be to learn what she needs to learn! Whether other kids are ahead of her or not doesn't matter! She NEEDS this base, and needs to learn it well. If she does, she will do better as she advances, and enjoy it more! So, take as long as she needs to get it. Don't get frustrated---she'll learn it and be OK, and the calmer you are, the calmer she will be! It'll be GREAT when the light turns on and she gets it! Those are precious memories that you'll get to see because you're homeschooling!
I don't know about horizons but I'm using Math U See right now with my boys ages 3 and 5 (they are both doing Kinder work) and I have to tell you they love it so much they are doing about 12 pages a day! I would definitely recommend giving math u see a try.
Hey Jess, Don't have any MUS experience (as you know we're full boat Horizons users) but I know lots of folks who love MUS. If MUS works for her for 1st you can always re-evaluate it again next year....that's the awesome part of homeschooling and you'll already have your oldest's 3rd grade curric to look at to see if your younger DD is ready for it or to continue to MUS. Do you have a local yahoo group or homeschool group? Someone locally might have it that you could look at before ordering. That always helps when you're torn between a few things. We have used some manipulatives with Horizons but I know other families who use them a lot more than we do...but generally, you're right MUS probably wins on the hands-on aspect. Rhonda C.
My son didnt like math last year, we went to Horizon because he hated how much work it was mostly and Horizon math is short sections. He went through the first half of the year saying "I LOVE MATH! ITs my Favorite subject!" So give the Horizon math a try! Its fun stuff in the earlier grades, and having small sections like Horizons does makes it seem like easier. We used a lot of M&Ms and Jelly Beans in early years, marshmellows too are great counters! For adding and subtracting , and even when you get to multiplication! Of course they only get to eat them when math is completed or when you ahve to subtract!
Dollar tree has erasers of all typs to use as counters, plus small holiday stuff. We've bought spiders, butterflies, santas, etc. BJUP was a math that was into physically showing the child how to work the problems.
Thanks so much for all your replies - Deena - I def needed the reminder not to push her - she is right where she needs to be! For some reason, I have that concept down when it comes to reading, but hadn't transferred it to Math! Thanks also for the counter ideas. She LOVES food - esp marshmallows and candy and I think that would be a great way to inspire her to finish! We picked up a CD-ROM from Target yesterday of +/- games. Hopefully that will help and take some of the pressure off. Right now whenever we start math, she starts slouching and whining - as soon as the word is mentioned! I think we will just go ahead and try the Horizons this year as planned. If it doesn't seem to take off, then we will reevaluate MUS. Thanks everyone!
Jess, Is it the math she doesn't like or writing it?? Or both My son doesn't always want to do math because of the writing part. We sometimes alternate doing some sections orally and he dictates and Mommy writies. I've done this for my 2nd grader too. Too me, knowing the concepts is MUCH more important than who physically wrote the answers. I just make a note at the top of pages...saying "did orally, RJ dictated". Just a thought... RJ has done the marshmallow thing too....only he got to eat one mini for each problem he got right....we did the problems one by one and then he'd pop the marshmallow in his mouth and move to the next problem :lol:
We use Horizons and it's going fine. I have looked at MUS but never purchased anything. Hated Saxon and use TT for my older kiddos.
Cute counters! We have bears, which I purchased at Wal and several other little object we use around here.
