Right Start

[StephanieF]

I've just looked at this after reading another thread. We are currently doing Singapore "My Pals are Here" 1st grade after having done Early Bird. I do like Singapore but there are no teacher notes and although I am competent myself in maths, teaching it is something else especially as ds is the first I have homeschooled. Looking at Right Start it strikes me as being quite visual and easy for the child to see what is going on, plus it seems to be heavily scripted.

I haven't seen this program mentioned much here, is it popular? And do people continue with it beyound the first few grades? Any feedback would be appreciated!!!
Stephanie

[clarkacademy]

I used it till 5th then I went to teaching textbooks. I love it for the early grades. My son does really well.

[nmoira]

Most here who use Singapore are using Primary Math, which I understand is not available in some other parts of the world. Instructor's guides and supplemental materials are available for Primary Math.

Right Start is semi scripted. We dropped out part way through Level C because DD chafed at its teacher led nature (though I understand this becomes less of an issue as the course progresses).

[prim*rose]

We finished B and will move on to C this year. Dd loves it - she loves the games and it all really makes sense. There's a GREAT yahoo group for RightStart users and everyone is so very helpful and forthcoming with information. I LOVE RS!

[clwcain]

I know there have been several Right Start threads here in the last few months: it's how I found out about it.

A couple dealt specifically with combining RS and Singapore.

You may have some luck if you search the Forum. If I get some time, I'll run a few queries and post relevant results.

[yslek]

My 2nd ds just started RS C, and my dd just started level A. I plan on staying with it through Geometry; I really like the way it teaches math.

For my ds, I'm supplementing with Singapore's Challenging Word Problems (he's just finishing up CWP 1.) Not every day, but fairly regularaly. I've read of others who do the same thing (RS w/ CWP). This is one way to combine RS & Singapore without overkill in the math department.

HTH
Kelsy

[TaraTheLiberator]

I used Singapore with my oldest child (who is now in school). I found that it was very fast-paced and that the textbook explanations were lacking. My child got very frustrated very quickly with Singapore and I don't feel that much was learned beyond a surface-y understanding.

I am using RS with my two youngest. It is much more slowly paced and, to me, the explanations seem to "make sense" more and each skill is practiced more for a more thorough understanding and mastery than in Singapore. My kids love the abacuses (abaci?) and the tally sticks and even the occasional worksheets. My son, whom I really thought was going to be learning delayed, is really thriving with the program, and I never feel at a loss as to how and what to teach.

The other day when I got out the box I store the RS stuff in, my son yelled, "Math! Hey [sister] we're going to do math! I love math!" and he and my daughter grabbed hands and danced around in a circle chanting "Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay!" I kid you not.

We love RS.

[Johanna]

Yeah, RS sets a wonderful foundation. My oldest did through C and went in to CLE math. She had a great grasp on quanities! I now have 2 other ds in RS in the fall. Highly recommended.

[jenn&charles]

I highly recommend RS. Other math programs weren't working out for my son so I put him in RS transitions. Otter has now completed the level D book and moved into level E.
I wish I would have used RS from the beginning. It gives a very solid foundation.
We are also combining it with Singapore because that is my other math "love", but RS is enough on its own.
;)

[Lostinabook]

We love RightStart. I love that I can just pick up the book & go & my kids love the manipulatives, games & worksheets. I do supplement with Singapore's CWP b/c I don't think RS uses enough word problems. I've also added in about 10 min of drill per day with Flashmaster &/or flash cards since we don't do the games enough to really solidify the facts, but that's mommy error rather than a problem with the program. :) This summer I've begun using Primary Math Challenge as well. Dd loves it & it makes her think in ways she wouldn't otherwise.

[Kleine Hexe]

I use RS level B right now with DS and he loves it. I like how it is scripted...I need that. Math is not my strong point so I appreciate the teacher tips. We love all the manipulatives.

I do use Singapore workbooks as a bit of "extra" practice for DS to do while I cook dinner, laundry, etc.

Those who use Singapore CWP...at what point did you start with it? DS is doing level B in RS and is close to finishing 1A in Singapore.

[Plaid Dad]

We're only a little way into the B-to-C transition lessons, but so far my dd and I both love RS. We picked it up because dd may be attending a cottage school in the fall that uses it, and I wanted to get her ready. She was also bored with our workbook-based programs and wanted a real change of pace. It was far and away the most expensive curriculum we've ever bought, but I'm very pleased with it so far.

[nmoira]

We're only a little way into the B-to-C transition lessons, but so far my dd and I both love RS.I was wondering how it was going. Glad to hear it's working for you. :)

[nmoira]

Those who use Singapore CWP...at what point did you start with it? DS is doing level B in RS and is close to finishing 1A in Singapore.Hey, I know you from another board. :)

Many doing Singapore do CWP a year behind. IMHO, there's not much value added in CWP 1. Because of structural issues with Right Start relative to Singapore, I'd wait until halfway through Level C to start CWP 2.

[GailV]

We've used RightStart all the way through (that is, through the Geometry program), and have been quite happy with it.

Although I am good at math, I am not that great at teaching math. My older dd had a totally different way of looking at math than did I, so I was sometimes at a loss to connect with her using Singapore. RightStart laid everything out for me. I'll admit that I added and subtracted bits, and didn't do it exactly as scripted, but I liked having the scripts as a jumping off point.

I have the impression that it's fairly popular here. I think the price is something that keeps more people from trying it, along with the teacher-time, since one of the points of the program is that you actually spend time talking with your child about math and doing math together rather than simply handing them a workbook.

[Sharon H in IL]

I should be getting a referral fee from Ms. Cotter for all the RL friends I've convinced [bullied?] into using RightStart. ;)

A friend said her 1st grade daughter asked to do math, said it was based on a lot of Montessori concepts & manipulatives, and incorporated insights from E. Asian math teaching. And it used games to solidify concepts rather than worksheets.

I was practically sold then and there. But she suggested we caravan up to Chicago where the author (Joan Cotter) was teaching a one-day seminar on how to teach it.

WOW! It was so much fun, I couldn't wait to use it.

And we've been happy math learners ever since.

[GailV]

<snip>

said it was based on a lot of Montessori concepts & manipulatives, and incorporated insights from E. Asian math teaching. And it used games to solidify concepts rather than worksheets.

<snip>


:iagree:


This is what attracted me, too. Because with Singapore I had the books, but not the "how to" of Asian math teaching (and, really, it's more than just the books). And I really like some of the Montessori ideas.

[Misty]

RightStart is the BEST math curriculum I have ever used! I've been using it with all of my children for more than 2 years now.