Have you used RightStart B with a 6yo 1st grader?

[HappyGrace]

Were they able to make it all the way straight through or did they plateau halfway through? I'm trying to figure out what to do with ds5 after he finishes RS A since dd (now 8), who is VERY bright and good at abstract thinking, wasn't ready for the concepts just past the middle of RS B until this past fall/winter so I had to stretch B WAY out and now I'm feeling she's behind, just going into 2nd grade math (RS C) last month! I just don't want to run into the same problem with ds. So I'm wondering if other 6 1/2 year-olds are handling RS B just fine (maybe it was just her?) Some of the concepts in RS B just seem like really high-level mathematical reasoning requiring lots of visualization. So did your dc finish B in one year in first grade?

[OhElizabeth]

Every dc is different. Mercy, I'm trying to remember now what we did! I think we started with A, found the pace too slow, went to B, felt like she wasn't seeing it all mentally, so I went back and finished A (love the 2nd half of A!), then went back to B. We finished B some time in early or mid 1st, went into C, finished that sometime in early or mid 2nd, went into D, and got pretty frustrated mid to late 2nd.

So that was a bunch of nothing to say don't buy trouble before it comes. When a dc does RS, he really UNDERSTANDS the math. If he gets pushed through another program more quickly but is only doing it by rote, when he has the ability to think through it, what does that accomplish? RS covers all the state standards for 1st, a lot of 2nd, and even a bit of 3rd in the level B book. In level C you cover all the 2nd gr state standards, a lot of 3rd, and even a bit of 4th. That's why they put letter designations, NOT grade levels, because it's not exact. And it's not fair to think that your dc is "behind" if they take longer on a level. If they stall out in a level, that's what they needed.

We spent WEEKS on those lessons around 40 in level B where 4 digit addition is introduced. Ditto on 4 digit subtraction in level C. It just takes a while for all that to gel. I would say that your dd just had her timetable for things clicking and that's how long it took. Slow, consistent effort is all you can do. It all clicks when it clicks. My personal opinion on feeling behind is to keep up with your fact drill and fact speed, either with games or calculadders or the RS drill sheets or CLE or something. As long as you do that and make forward progress as your dc is able, that's the best you can do.

For your 5 yo, I'd keep going. The first 20-some lessons are going to be total review, and he may be a totally different creature who flies through level B. Did your dd do level A? I personally think level A is a fabulous foundation for level B and is going to make it a BREEZE for him. The things your dd struggled with in B may come quite easily for him, because he's already been doing those things in seedling form. So just keep going and don't let your worries and fears about it being hard (which the material is not) rub off on him. He's gonna be fine! :)

[Mama Lynx]

Yes, I'm using it now with a 7 yo and a 6 yo. The 7yo is about halfway through the book, and the 6yo is just beginning.

Plus, I've had two kids in Singapore math who plateaued at 3A. My oldest son spent a *year* on 3A!

My curren 7 yo started RS B at the beginning of the school year. We have hit a couple of spots where we just had to stop, and practice, or even put RS up and just wait. It's very normal, especially with younger kids. Sometimes, you just have to wait until their brains are ready for the concept. Once they get it, you'll move on and likely even "catch up" to where you think you "should" be.

FYI, even though my oldest spent a whole year on Singapore 3A in 3rd grade, he still finished through 6B by the end of 5th grade.

Similarly, we stretched out RS B and C for my 2nd oldest - at the end of 3rd grade he was just a few lessons into D. But now at the end of 4th grade, he's halfway through E. Although we took time and didn't rush things in the earlier years, he is still "where he is supposed to be" in terms of time/curriculum.

I wouldn't worry about it. Take the time the kids need. They will learn the concepts solidly that way, and likely have *less* trouble with the higher levels.

[cajun.classical]

Yes, I'm using it now with a 7 yo and a 6 yo. The 7yo is about halfway through the book, and the 6yo is just beginning.

Plus, I've had two kids in Singapore math who plateaued at 3A. My oldest son spent a *year* on 3A!

My curren 7 yo started RS B at the beginning of the school year. We have hit a couple of spots where we just had to stop, and practice, or even put RS up and just wait. It's very normal, especially with younger kids. Sometimes, you just have to wait until their brains are ready for the concept. Once they get it, you'll move on and likely even "catch up" to where you think you "should" be.

FYI, even though my oldest spent a whole year on Singapore 3A in 3rd grade, he still finished through 6B by the end of 5th grade.

Similarly, we stretched out RS B and C for my 2nd oldest - at the end of 3rd grade he was just a few lessons into D. But now at the end of 4th grade, he's halfway through E. Although we took time and didn't rush things in the earlier years, he is still "where he is supposed to be" in terms of time/curriculum.

I wouldn't worry about it. Take the time the kids need. They will learn the concepts solidly that way, and likely have *less* trouble with the higher levels.

Thanks. That's great advice. I was feeling some anxiety about how long it's taking us to get through RS D, but I felt like my dd needed more time cementing subtraction before moving onto multiplication.
Thanks for the reassurance.

[prairiegirl]

I had trouble with my dd in doing B. It took us forever to get through it (20 months) but I started her in B when she 5 1/2. So when it was time to go through this again with ds (who turned 7 in Jan and is in Gr. 1) I went very slowly through it. We started B last April and we are just about finished B now. My dd got hung up on Lesson 70. We stayed there the longest time. I didn't want my ds to get hit that wall so we took our time in B. He has had no problem. He is having a bit of difficulty doing 2 digit addition but I think that will come with maturity so I am letting him just do it on the abacus.
So if you go slowly with your ds in the areas that need it, you should be okay.

Also, your dd is not 'behind.' Some of the math that she is doing in C is way beyond 2nd gade level. So in areas in math she is way ahead. Don't worry about the 'behind' thing. If it makes you feel better, my dd, who is in Grade 3 just started Level D in Jan. so she is 'behind' too. But I would rather her be behind and understand math than to be on track and not have a clue about what she is doing. Btw, Level D is proving to be a bit faster going than B and C, so you will proably make up ground when you get to this level. We are loving D.

Julia
mom of 3 (8,7,5)

[Linda]

I have a 6.5 yo in RS B. We've plateaued several times, and we absolutely won't finish in a year.

I had that "we're behind!" panic many times but I always settle down by reminding myself why I chose RS in the first place. I want dc to really get math and not just whiz through workbook pages.

Ds often gives me that deer-in-the-headlight look when I ask those "Do you see the pattern" type questions that the book suggests. Even after I point it out, he kind of gives me an "uh-huh" and I make a note to self that we need to revisit that lesson. Then a few weeks later we do and he's closer to seeing it.

All that to say that we're taking our time. We will continue with math throughout the summer--just 15-20 minutes a day--and, I figure, we'll catch up at some point. He's the tortoise, for sure, and we can't worry about the hare.

HTH

[jail warden]

My dd turned 6 in Sept. and started 1st grade this year. However, she is very bright and advanced in so many ways. We had no problem, in fact, sometimes it's too easy for her and she will be done with it in a week or two. My ds was a different story, A went great and so did the beginning of B, but it got hard and we had to slow down. We still got done by the end of the year, but went much slower. I'm finding the same thing happen to him in C now that we're hitting new concepts. So, while I love the RS approach, each child is different and will progress differently.

[Catherine]

whatever time he needs. We are just at a "wall" at lesson 70, and I plan to review to cement earlier concepts (especially telling time) and gradually try to get back to it. Understanding is more important!