I could really use some sage advice! What would you do - leave your 2nd grader in Horizons and switch next year or switch now? My 2nd grader is using Horizons 2. While it seems to be working fine (she has some math challenges and low confidence and *almost* dreads math every day), I was planning to switch to MUS for next year since 1) she benefits from more multi-sensory work in general; 2) our oldest just switched and I would love to see if it works for both to save some $; 3) I would love to find a program that goes through Calculus; and 4) Horizon's spiral is great for her, but it is just too much every day for her (we let her do every other problem on the areas that she shows mastery in). DD just went through a round of testing from the pediatric neuropsychologist today and one of the recommendations is to find a curriculum that has some review and introduces a new concept in small increments to provide DD with greater confidence and smaller steps. Though DS is in MUS Epsilon, it has proven to be a pretty gentle approach thus far, so I think it may be an option for DD as well. I am considering just switching now, and putting DD in MUS now after completing a placement test. DH worries about switching her now and even for next year, but with some of the challenges DD experiences in "class" and in this testing today, I think I need to find the perfect-for-DD curriculum, and quickly while she is still so young! So what say you all? Thanks!
You definately need to look at McRuffy!!! I wouldn't hesitate to put her in grade 1 if she struggles. It is kind of advanced... but in a gentle way (if that makes sense). There is lots of hands on work, the pages aren't intimidating for the kids.
I agree with the McRuffy suggestion- it's the right amount each day and spiral!! My daughter loves it and the games! If spiral works for her I'd leave in her a spiral program- my son switched to MUS which is mastery and works great for him. So I tried switching my daughter to it- but that was a no-go! We went back to McRuffy and happy as can be and learning!
Thanks to you both! I had McRuffy on my short list and completely forgot about it again! Okay, going off to check it out...the hands-on work sounds great, and the spiral would still be great for her.
I have one who struggles a bit with math and McRuffy works wonders for her. We are working like a half a year behind.. eventually I hope to be caught up by working through the summers lightly. I really wish Brian would write more levels, I forget what level he said he planned on stopping... after we max out of McRuffy we will go with Teaching Textbooks. It is so similar just without the actual hands on manipulatives.
5th just came out. I think Brian is working on 6th. I don't know how far he plans to go. We used McRuffy for K and loved it. But, because I switch around way too much :roll: ...I went with something else after K...but now I want to go back. My dd is in 3rd, but hasn't even started multiplication/division yet...although she does kinda get the concept...she's using TT3 and it hasn't even gotten to any of that yet. While I like TT...I don't like that there is no manipulative work and no writing of the problems (yes, you could use the book...but who wants to do the exercises on the computer and the very same ones in the book?). I am torn between getting 2nd or 3rd McRuffy. I don't want 2nd to be too easy...but I see they have multiplication in there. But, the samples for 3rd look more on her level. I really wish there were more McRuffy samples of the later lessons to see how advanced the math gets in each level. I've also heard people say that TT3 is almost like 2nd...so, that makes things even harder for me to make a decision. I hope I can figure out what to do soon so I can order it and start. Hmmm...maybe I should ask Brian.
Email Brian and see what he suggests. He told me this morning that when he first brought his son home he had finished 3rd grade in public school, but because he didn't have 3rd grade done he had his son do 3rd grade since it is ahead of most public school textbooks.. and in my experience, Teaching Textbooks is right about on level for a typical public school book. I decided I'm going to get each kid the next level and just keep moving along. I'm too afraid that Rylee esp will get lost if we try to jump to the "correct" grade level.
You know I just thought of something else... I looked at the TT placement test. Rylee could pass it after McRuffy 1st with flying colors, Reagan would probably even pass it after McRuffy K. Looking at the S&S of McRuffy, it seems to be almost a year ahead of most programs... so pretty much typical of a homeschool program (TT is more typical of a public school program).
It seemed that McRuffy K math and phonics were right on level...but then McRuffy seems to take a jump & becomes advanced to me...especially the LA/Spelling. I'm thinking of having my dd go back to the LA too...but in looking at the samples, I'm positive she'd have to do the 2nd. I'm almost shocked looking at the 3rd grade spelling list...no way can my daughter spell those words (but she really struggles with spelling). I'll try to e-mail Brian this afternoon and see what he suggests.
I think that was part of my problem with the McRuffy LA.. it REALLY jumped in 1st grade. His math seems to make some pretty big leaps in 2nd. The end of first we are just starting regrouping with addition and multiplying by 2s. We have one more week to go. I got the OK from hubby to order now, so off to do that.
Oh, another note on TT... When Garrett was using it, we didn't use the workbooks. I would have him keep a notebook and he had to write out the problems, show his work and circle his answer... then he could enter that into the computer. I wanted him to learn that he might have to, at some point, write down his problems and show his work. He fought me tooth and nail with it, but guess what he has to do it now in PS.
I would switch her. My son really struggled last year with his math curriculum and he's doing so much better now with MUS this year. I really wish I had switched last year even if it was mid year.
