MUS?

[Willow]

We are still only in 6th grade so this is thinking ahead! We use Math U See. Has anyone used it for High School?

[Willow]

Ok...so if you all don't use it for High School, could you tell me why?

Willow.

[Lori D.]

Well, we are using MUS Algebra as supplement to Jacobs Algebra this year for our 9th grader who struggles with math. The plan is to take more than a year to finish; we want to make sure he really "gets" algebra, which is very abstract and therefore is very difficult for our concrete thinking visual-spatial learner.

At the start of the year, I had planned to use MUS as the spine and Jacobs as the supplement, but along about lesson 3 or 4, we started hitting exercises in which there had been no explanation on the videos. So I decided to flip-flop, and do an entire chapter of Jacobs, then find the lessons in MUS which match-up so he can see it from a different viewpoint, plus get the built-in review of MUS. Just finished week 15 of our school year, and he's completed 3 of 17 Jacobs chapters, and 6-1/2 of 30 MUS chapters -- the first 3-4 weeks of school were a pre-algebra review before even getting to Jacobs or MUS.

So far, so good! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[Ruth in Canada]

We switched at that point because it didn't seem to match dc's learning styles as well as other options.

[Willow]

I have also been given units A-C of Video-text algebra, how does this compare?

[Alyce]

I have heard a lot of negatives about the program but my kids liked it so much we continued to use it. My dd did well on the SAT and placed into Calculus when she got to college. Since she isn't a math major she chose to do College Algebra instead. Her roomate is doing college algebra too and my dd ended up tutoring because some of the concepts she hadn't had in public school. I'm not sure how it would stack up for a math type major but if she can place into Calculus I don't think it's such a bad program. I do agree that there are some problem steps that aren't shown in the video in Alg 1 and Alg 2 but they can be figured out. MUS just fit so well with my kids that we just worked it through.

[Sue in St Pete]

Willow,

If you do a search for MUS or Math-U-See on the high school boards, you will find that some people like it and use it, but it seems that the majority of those who have children who will go into a math/science/engineering field have found that MUS is not rigorous enough. I've looked at MUS, LoF, Foerster, Jacob, Lial, Dolciani. I would agree with those parents.

We are using MUS Algebra and LoF Algebra this year. My son likes MUS because it is easy and LoF because it is humorous. When, I asked him which he would use if he was only going to use one, he said MUS. This is my bright, but lazy son. I have a degree in math. Ds picks up math easily. Next year, we'll be using Foerster's Algebra.

HTH!

[Veronica in VA]

I didn't use MUS for Algebra I or II, but my dd is using it for geometry. We really like it. My ds used Chalkdust for geometry, but I didn't care for it too much, and knew my dd would hate it. I looked at Teaching Textbooks geometry, but couldn't handle the cost this year. MUS geometry is not proof heavy, but for dd I don't think that is a problem.

Veronica

[MomsintheGarden]

...it seems that the majority of those who have children who will go into a math/science/engineering field have found that MUS is not rigorous enough.
HTH!

:iagree:

We used MUS through 7th grade for our oldest, and liked it fairly well. He is very math/science oriented and we wanted a rigorous high school program for him. We also wanted DVD instruction, a non-consumable text with a lot of problems so we'd have more for extra practice, many word problems, a complete solutions guide, a traditional sequence (not Saxon with geometry mixed in) and math through beginning calculus. MUS didn't meet all of our criteria, so we went with Chalkdust.

Our son is now in his first year of college, and he's doing very well in the 2nd semester calculus/vector geometry courses he's taking for his engineering major. He placed out of the 1st semester of calculus because he took the Calculus AB exam after studying Chalkdust calculus at home.

Our second child, dd in 11th grade, is planning to study biochemistry in college. MUS did not work very well for her - she wasn't getting enough drill so I had to supplement. We switched her to ABeka for 5th-6th grade. Chalkdust has been a good fit for high school for her, too.

I can't tell you what would have happened if we had stayed with MUS through high school. I AM happy that I learned to teach elementary math concepts with the blocks and fraction overlays. We switched to ABeka for our younger children, and arithmetic concepts are so much easier to learn with those MUS manipulatives.

OTOH, if you have a child for whom MUS is really working, maybe it would be good to stick with it. It is hard to compare learning situations, because every child is different, with different goals.

BTW, it's very timely that you are looking at Algebra programs now. Many children are ready for Algebra I in 7th grade. A lot of 7th and 8th grade math programs are almost all review and can often be skipped if your child is strong in arithmetic/prealgebra concepts. Have your child take the Saxon placement test for Algebra I when he/she is done with 6th grade math. You might be surprised! If you feel he/she is ready for Algebra I, you can take your time with high school math. Wouldn't that be a luxury?

HTH,
GardenMom

[jubileex5]

<<but it seems that the majority of those who have children who will go into a math/science/engineering field have found that MUS is not rigorous enough.>>

That is my opinion also.

[Willow]

Thank you for your help. I think the suggestions of taking the tests is a good idea. I would be interested to see where he tests!

[Kimm in WA]

My kiddos have done MUS from the start and have enjoyed it, tested well, and it worked for all of my kids. 15yo ds is interested in engineering and will start dual-enrollment next year. This year we switched to an approach that will be more like the CC experience - textbook & lecture - so he is doing Chalkdust pre-calculus. He had no problem going from all other high school math using MUS to Chalkdust pre-calculus.

We DID do the honors books w/ MUS and since the geometry is lacking in proofs, we supplemented with a geometry proof book that was recommended by someone on this board.

FWIW,
Kimm in WA

[JanOH]

We DID do the honors books w/ MUS and since the geometry is lacking in proofs, we supplemented with a geometry proof book that was recommended by someone on this board.

Kimm - Could you post the information on the book you used for geometry proof? I've been looking for something like this to supplement MUS Geometry.

Thanks

[Kimm in WA]

It's put out by Garlic Press (garlicpress.com). It's called (Studies in Geometry Series) Proofs Workbook. Not sure if it's an ISBN - looks like it but looks like not enough #s, but it is: 1-930820-46-1. It was $9.95.

Kimm in WA

[JanOH]

Thank you Kimm!