Right Start or Professor B?

[Terabith]

Can anyone compare or contrast these two programs? I've been planning on using Right Start, but I've heard the later levels are not as good as the earlier ones. And Professor B sounds intriguing. I probably will go with Right Start at least for the next year or two, as I like the hands on component since they are so young. (My older daughter, with whom I will be doing math, is just barely five.) But I'm curious about Professor B for later elementary. Does anyone know how they compare?

Another question is should I get Right Start A or B for my newly five year old daughter? She's completed the Singapore Early Bird series and about half of Critical Thinking's Mathematical Reasoning A (K level). The placement thing on Right Start suggested level B, and looking at the subjects, that does seem about right, but I don't want to push her or make her frustrated. But nor do I want her to be bored. And the idea of saving money on a level has appeal too. Thoughts?

[OhElizabeth]

Since the placement test indicated B and you feel the topics are appropriate, I'd go for it. I did B when my dd was 5 and it was fine. As far as future levels, well why don't you just start and see what happens? Many people seem to try about 3-5 math curricula before they find their groove, lol. RS was very good for us and I think it's a fabulous foundation whether you start with it and later switch or whether you use it all the way through. I've only seen the online samples of professor B, didn't really appeal to me. RS transitions nicely to Singapore or Bob Jones or anything else you want. (We went to BJU and like it.)

[Linda...inOwasso]

I ordered their CD & workbook. I thought it was... umm.... odd. I know some people really like it, so I don't mean to offend, but it just seemed gimmicky to me.

The return policy is atrocious. You wouldn't believe the hassle it's been to receive a refund on this product. I purchased it in July 2008 and after numerous phone calls, ridiculous excuses, flat out lies, unreturned emails (not to mention the times I called and their phone had been disconnected, I am still waiting to receive a refund to my paypal account or a check in my mailbox.

Without question, this is the most unprofessional, sleazy, disreputable company I've had the displeasure of doing business with since I began ordering home school materials.

I ordered RS A & B. I have been tremendously happy with the product. My youngest dd turned 5 last July and she just completed level A and we're heading into B. RightStart is FAR superior in content (and character of the company) than Prof. B.

Sorry to be so negative, but I would want to know. Best of luck in your selection.

[Terabith]

Good to know about Professor B company. I've heard good things from other people. But, I am getting way ahead of myself. If others have had positive experiences with level B of Right Start, I'll go ahead and give it a shot. And we'll go for it and use it as long as it's working. Guess that's logical..... Also have an order in for the Mathtacular dvd. Looked fun.

[Amber in AUS]

FYI the man Prof B died sometime around Aug/Sept this year. He was in his 80's. I believe it is a family run business and that may have been the cause of problems with their service.

[ELaurie]

I've used Professor B Math materials with my dc for the past four years. The service I have received has consistently been exemplary. I have spoken with Professor B and his wife, Vita, on the phone many times. I found both of them to be personable, responsive to questions and concerns, and prompt in fulfilling my requests. My experience has been that they have provided an extraordinary level of customer service.

There has been only one occasion, which was recently, when Mrs. B failed to return a phone call the same day. She apologized, and she did say that there had been a death among the office staff.

I am very sorry to hear that it may have been Professor B who passed away.

To be fair, I have a friend who experienced inconsistency with them in terms of timeliness returning phone calls this past summer.

I would be happy to share more of my experience with their products if you have questions, or when I have more time later, if that would be helpful to you.

[Linda...inOwasso]

Okay guys, I'm terribly sorry if Prof B. passed away. That is certainly sad news. However, a professional business (whether family-owned or not) would not allow emails to go unanswered, phone calls to go unreturned, etc... I'm not saying their response was delayed, I'm saying they didn't respond EVER.

Bad things happen all the time to business owners and Prof. B's company's lack of ability to function (to the point of having their telephone service disconnected) leads to my conclusion that they're unprofessional.

I'm glad your experience has been different Laurie, but the woman I have spoken with repeatedly from Prof. B. has treated me rudely most times. Worse yet, she almost never did what she said she was going to do. I waited two months for her to send me a "special return envelope." Since I hadn't received the return envelope two weeks after she said she'd mailed it, I called and lo & behold... she took a vacation and it didn't get mailed. She assured me she would mail it that day.... well, two weeks later when I called her, she reacted with shock, "What?! You haven't received that yet?"

Enough already, I don't want to relive it. Suffice it to say, I do not have a good opinion of the company. And I sit here in mid-December still awaiting my refund for Prof. B materials I purchased in July. (And they've only agreed to refund 1/2, since the product was "used.") Unbelievable!

I hope others experience is much different than mine.

Blessings :)

[OhElizabeth]

Linda, I don't know how you paid, but if it was with a credit card, I would contact the credit card company.

[Cindy in NY]

We have also used Professor B for years (6 to be exact) and it is the one piece of curriculum I wouldn't think of changing. I have never even been tempted to look at another math program. All three of my boys score off the charts in math on standardized tests and they just have a grasp of math that I find astounding. I am not a mathy person at all, so I attribute it all to Prof. B

I have never dealt with the company beyond just ordering and their delivery is always prompt. I have never had to call or email them, or return anything so I can't speak to that.

I started using it before they made the CD version, so I have always just used the teachers manual and student workbooks so I also can't speak to the value of the CD.

[Capt_Uhura]

Terabith ... there is a RS post here where members chime in on the later levels of RS. With any curriculum, there are some love it and some that hate it. Several people chimed in that they loved the later levels of RS. Others changed for varying reasons. The best curriculum is one that is a good fit for your DC and that you will teach! We've done RSA-D and I'm looking forward to RS E. It's been a great fit for my highly conceptual mathy-kid.

Regarding which level ... it's probably worth it for you to try level B if you think your DD is mathy and just take it at her pace. Just pay attention to your DDs frustration level etc and go at her pace! If she hits a wall, stop and play some games for awhile.

Good luck!

[Terabith]

So, those of you who have used Professor B, have any of you seen Right Start? To compare it? I really like the idea of the verbalizations, but my thoughts on Right Start now is the hands on aspect.

I don't know that I would say Anna is math-y or highly conceptual. She's not a gifted learner, I don't think. But she's smart. She doesn't love math or come up with stuff on her own really, but she does understand what's taught fairly readily.

[Capt_Uhura]

Then I think she'll be just fine w/ RS B. Like I said, if she hits a wall and gets frustrated, stop and play the games. Many go wrong b/c they don't make time for the games. I'm trying to make more time for games now and we're almost finish level D.

[Cindy in NY]

I have only seen RS briefly at last years convention. I'm somewhat intrigued by it and had I known of it when my very hands-on 10 year old was younger I might have been tempted by it.

I have no experience with it though and Prof B has worked so well with all 3 of mine, even though they are very different types of learners, that I am glad I didn't go a different route. That said, I think you would be fine with either one. I find with programs that are very teacher intensive, the one that suites my teaching style is a better indicator of success than which one is the "best" program.

[ELaurie]

I have used Professor B math for the past four years,
And love it!

I never cease to be amazed by the clarity he brings to mathematical concepts.

One of the features of this program I particularly appreciate is his use of "teaching stories". I've spoken with Professor and Mrs. B on the phone several times (he's quite charming) and he has commented that children naturally remember stories, and these concepts help them integrate ways to solve mathematical equations as easily as they remember what happened next in beloved stories such as Cinderella.

You'll find some great examples of these types of stories on his website; just click the link on my signature line to view his sample CD. The lessons on solving upper level addition and subtraction problems provide good examples.

Once you view the CD, you'll appreciate the fact that when ds 9 was learning his upper level subtraction facts in 1st grade, all I had to say to him was "See this hot, delicious pizza?" and he quickly recalled how to solve the problem.

He is in third grade this year, and learning multiple digit multiplication (2,365 x 1,986). What I'm excited about isn't that he's doing relatively difficult problems per se, but that he understands the concepts behind what he is doing.

Despite the expense, I'd urge you to reconsider the CDs. Although they are designed to be covered in one year, each CD covers three full years of math instruction, so even at $100 each, the cost per year in terms of the content is only $30.

This program has been ideal for ds9 who has visual processing issues - relatively little writing is required, and he can literally (well almost :tongue_smilie:) swing from the chandelier while doing math facts if he feels the need to move about while reciting them as we sit together at the computer.

I have spread each of these programs out over two years, just to be sure his mastery of facts is solid, so for us, the average cost per year has been $50, plus the cost of the workbook, which is relatively inexpensive.

The CD does include telling time and counting money. For skills such as reading calendars and measuring, I have found it sufficient to introduce these ideas as part of "everyday life".

Let me know if you have questions - Professor B Math gets :thumbup: at our house.

You may also want to check the sale and swap board for gently used items; I have seen them listed FS several times.