So last year we tried Math Mammoth, my son hated it, it was a total nightmare all year. This year we switched to MUS and he likes it a lot more and there is MUCH less complaint about doing math. Next year he hits 3rd grade which is where TT starts and I've had several friends highly recommend it but I'm wondering if we should just stay with MUS for now since he enjoys it and learns well from it. So I'm asking for thoughts/opinions on the subject.
Well, it might depend on if you want spiral or mastery. MUS is mastery (one basic concept at a time), and TT is spiral. We are using TT3 this year and like it. Did you try the samples at their website? If not, I'd have your son try them and see what he thinks too. Not sure if this helped much.......
I think this particular son does best with mastery. Learn it and move on. The tons of review with MM is what bothered him most I think. So yes it does help.
I would try the samples on their site before you nix the thought of TT. I love TT, but I prefer a spiral program.
I would stick with MUS. We are using it right now for geometry and I love the program. He does have some review built into his books (at least at the higher levels). The book we have has chapters divided up into 5 lessons. The first two are only the new concept, and the last three contain plenty of problems on the new concept and about half of the lesson reviews some earlier stuff. I think the program has a good mix of mastery and review- a win-win situation. We tried TT twice (the grass is always greener). It is a great program, but not for all people. There are only a few problems on the new concept and the review is a mixed bag of a lot of different things. I think it can easily be overwhelming for someone. I know the temptation can be powerful to try something new, but I would resist. Stick with what works and know that what you are using now is a good solid curriculum.
Yes, I've decided to not fix what isn't broken at this point. If MUS ever stops working for him we'll re-evaluate.
I like MUS more but DH likes TT more so TT has been chosen. Math has always been the lowest score on yearly tests so we will see how everyone does after completing a year of TT. MUS doesn't follow a typical sequence and my DH don't like that. He wants to see higher scores on the yearly tests in math and feels a program like TT will do that.
Fortunately we don't do yearly tests and even if we did I wouldn't care about the test scores too much if I was seeing a daily progress in our work. I definitely feel that I can judge better whether my child is getting it better than a standardized test can.
We are using MUS tried the samples and ds said he liked mr D, so did dd. They both had horizon math in early years though and it was Spirial I think? So I figured ds would love TT, but since dd used MUS we tired it and he has done great up to Alg2. He have had a few problems I could not tackle alone so had dh and dd help ds. was good all around and now ds has helped his friend who is still in Alg1 to understand some of his work. It is great having MUS around too. I love to listen and sit in when I want to on the tv or dvd player and learn myself how he is taught.
