This is a hands-on curriculum that uses workbooks, videos and manipulative blocks to teach math concepts. Students learn how to perform math operations and understand why they are performing those operations so they can apply them to everyday life. The program was described in 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy as "easier than most." Math·U·See is broken down to teach students specific skills that build as the student progresses. This systematic and cumulative approach uses a definite, logical sequence of concept instruction. The Math·U·See system is structured with step-by-step procedures for introducing, reviewing, and practicing concepts. Students spend as much or as little time as needed on any given concept until it is mastered.
Website: Math-U-See
(51 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Grades Used: Primer - Gamma
My kids love this. They like using the manipulatives and I have them watch the videos with me and they love that too! As mentioned earlier, the levels do not "mix" so on state testing some math problems children may not know how to do, but in the end I feel they will have a stronger ability in math
Cons: Intial cost
Grades Used: Variety
We have used Primer-Epsilon and all 3 of my kids have loved Mr. Demme. They think he is funny and easy to understand. We sit down together to watch the video and then work on the first page of each lesson together. My student complete each page on their own after the first and only need to ask questions.
I like that we can move at the student's pace. If one unit is more difficult than they may have to complete all 6 pages but if another is easily grasped, then they may only complete 3 or 4 pages. I also like that it build upon itself each lesson and each year.
The blocks and dvds are necessary but to help keep our family's cost down, we bought each level books once, put them in page protectors and then used dry erase markers to complete the pages. This saves money and I don't have to buy another consumable for the next student.
Cons: cost
Grades Used: beta to epsilon so far
Math was easy for me, so I found it difficult to explain to my kids when they had problems. That's why the DVD's are so great. My kids and I both watch the videos; for the most part, that's all the instruction they need. When we switched over to this program, my kids loved it at first. However, they don't LOVE their math now, maybe because most of the work for them involves completing worksheets. But I don't know if another math program would appeal to them any more than this one. I like the manipulatives, we pull them out for a refresher whenever a concept gets fuzzy. I find the fraction overlays especially make things clear and understandable.
Cons: none
Grades Used: K, 1, 2, 3
I love this math program. I was never the best at math so I have found it so useful to learn with myself!! I appreciate the systematic reviews because it helps gauge whether your child has retained previous knoweldge. MUS has worked well for our family to date. We have used Primer, Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. We are just waiting on the arrival of Epsilon for our eight year old to start. That's the only negative; it takes a long time to reach us in New Zealand.
Cons: cost of blocks
Grades Used: k, 1
My son LOVES Math-U-See. He likes how the blocks stack like legos! I love the ease of it...almost no prep time and the DVDs have some great ideas on how to do math that I was never taught. Great curriculum overall. The blocks are a little high, but when you see the smiles on your children's faces because they "get" math and are having fun, it's all worth it!
Grades Used: Primer and Alpha
We enjoy the simplicity of this curriculum. It makes sense, and flows well.
Cons: little variety, word problems quite simple
Grades Used: Primer through Epsilon
We used MUS for a couple years. The kids loved the DVD's. Mine did not get into the manipulatives. It's a good solid curriculum, however I was finding my kids had a hard time applying the skills they were learning to problems that didn't look like MUS problems. My ds started another math program alongside Epsilon(more application orientated) and even though he had the isolated skills to solve all the problems, he could not put those skills together to use them to solve problems that required more thinking. In the end we decided to stop using MUS. If we run into difficulty later in math (ie. algebra, geometry) I wouldn't hesitate to try the appropriate level of MUS again. Mr. Demme really does have a way of making math easy!
Cons: None
Grades Used: Primer & Alpha,....and ordering Beta!
I was so excited to find a math curriculum that my oldest would enjoy doing! Hands-on learning with the kids has kept them busy & they want to learn! With the DVD included in each level, it makes the parent teaching it have a better understanding of how to teach it, and also the kids can watch to SEE it done as well before they begin. My oldest is now almost finished with Alpha and gets through each worksheet, 18-20 problems, in 5-8 minutes. And when he is done, he has a smile on his face!! 🙂 So we are moving on to next level, Beta! He struggled with Math in K & 1st grade, but now has finally got Math down, thanks to Math-U-See!! 🙂 As for my next child, he watched his big brother for so long with math and at the age of just 5 asked me to PLEASE let him start doing math! And he is getting through the Primer book very quickly!! 🙂
Cons: none
Grades Used: K-10
I love this system! The Dvds make it almost self taught. Very clear concepts and easily grasped. Very Reasonable price.
Grades Used: 6,7, 8
I love love love this math curriculum. I believe it is a wonderful value- $90 plus shipping for teacher book, cd and TWO student workbooks and test books(schooling twins). The DVD video is short and to the point and you can watch it as many times as necessary until you get it. 6 worksheets for every lesson. This introduces information easily and builds up that information in a logical, straighforward way. Math is not the most exciting subject on the planet but I have really enjoyed that the lessons are short and to the point. I will be switching my 11th grader over to Geometry with Math u See because I believe he will get a much better understanding than what we are trying now.
Grades Used: 6, 7, 8
I love love love this math curriculum. I believe it is a wonderful value- $90 plus shipping for teacher book, cd and TWO student workbooks and test books(schooling twins). The DVD video is short and to the point and you can watch it as many times an necessary until you get it. 6 worksheets for ever lesson. This introduces information easily and builds up that information in a logical, straighforward way. Math is not the most exciting subject on the planet but I have really enjoyed that the lessons are short and to the point. I will be switching my 11th grader over to Geometry with Math u See because I believe he will get a much better understanding than what we are trying now.
Cons: None
Grades Used: K,1,2
My DS6 has Autism and has always had a "thing" for numbers. But when it came to adding, he was beyond lost. :0( We started with Math U See and he GETS IT! :0) Awesome product!
Grades Used: Primer to Geometry
I highly recommend Math-U-See from beginning to the end. If they stick with it they will learn so much more than other math programs. Your kids will have a full foundation and more when they are finished. I have many levels of students and all have enjoyed it!
Cons: cost, different way of teaching
Grades Used: 1 to 7
I thought this program was really good, until we reached fractions and then my son cried every day when I mentioned math. We started with the old program and converted to the new program. My daughter was not 'getting' the multiplication. We converted to yet, another program and this seems to be working better for my kiddos. I still think this is a great program, but not for everyone, and as already mentioned above, my 3rd grader was not able to do the division on the state test, which gave her a low score. My son had tested high on math until he reached 6th grade and for some reason the program did not fit his needs anymore.
Cons: Must have manipulatives and dvds to truly understand it all
Grades Used: Primer-Epsilon
I have tried several math programs, but I see the "light coming on" in my children's understanding in using Math U See. The concepts of why it is done this way is explained which makes it easier to remember and understand. After watching the dvd and explaining the lesson on Monday, the child can work on his own for the rest of the week. Great layout of concepts.
Grades Used: Foundations through Algebra 2
The DVDs have been a great addition to MUS, the lessons can be reviewed easily and the table of contents make it easy to find and review any concept. The lesson pages include questions on past concepts so it is very easy to see if you need to go back over an old lesson for a concept that was not mastered. The use of manipulatives is a big plus for actually seeing how math works. We've used their products for over 14 years and mixed them with other math products.
Cons: Haven't found any yet
Grades Used: Primer to Beta
Fun for all the kids in the house to use. Plus I'm filling in gaps that my 8 year old missed when she was in public school. My 4 year old loves the blocks. The way he teaches telling time is fantastic!
Grades Used: From Primer to Pre-Calculus
I have four kids done, went to college, with no problem in their math program. My son was bored in is engeneering program, he found his math easy in College, he had seen almost all of it in his MUS. I did try something else, supposely better for that son at one point and he beg me to come back with MUS.
I have three more to go and I will certainly keep going with MUS. It is well done, and builds gradually their knowledge. I have been using it for 16 years now.
Math U See uses manipulatives to reinforce concepts. The DVD to watch explains the new concept and 3 pages in the book to practice with. You can go as quickly or as slow as you need, based on your child understanding.
In each student kit is a student workbook and a test booklet. The Teacher Pack comes with the Teacher’s instruction and a DVD.
I highly recommend MUS, you won't regret it.
Grades Used: Alpha, Beta
This year we are using all new, different curricula. We LOVE MUS and are so glad we switched to it! My kids look forward to doing math! They love watching the video at the beginning of each lesson and my daughter really loves using the manipulatives! While it doesn't work for everyone, it has been a great fit for us!
Cons: cost, didn't work for my family
Grades Used: K
My son cried every day. He said it was boring. He did like to play with the manipulatives though. This just was not a good fit for my family.
Cons: initial cost
Math U See has saved our children from crying everyday during Math. Everyday was a struggle and no one wanted to do Math. They hated it and so did I. Then, someone suggested Math U See to us. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made for our schooling.
When I bought the books for the first time, I put them in a year behind to be sure that they were understanding the basics in Math. It was a wise decision so that the kids could get used to the different method Math U See uses. They quickly caught up.
Fast forward to today and they are loving Math! Math U See uses manipulatives to reinforce the concepts. There is a DVD to watch that explains the new concept and multiple pages in the book to practice with. You can take it as quickly or as slowly as you need to based on your student's progress.
Each student pack comes with a Student Book and a Test Booklet. The Teacher Pack comes with the Teacher's book and a DVD.
I highly recommend MUS.
Grades Used: 1st-9th
This really works! It is a must for homeschoolers .
Cons: cost
Grades Used: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
After watching a son struggle with another curriculum, I had to switch. He has improved with this curriculum. Mr. Demme makes it so EASY. We watch the videos together. The manipulative s are a must!
Grades Used: Primere(K), Beta(2) and Gamma(3)
We are using this for Primer, Beta, and Gamma. My kids love it and the DVD's do most of the teaching. They enjoy doing it and it teaches in a way that they easily grasp it. The manipulatives are the best. They have made a huge difference in my 1st graders math, she's in a school, I wish I would have had them sooner!
Cons: Cost
Grades Used: K, 1, 2, 3, 4
I have used the levels of Primer, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta with my children. This program is costly to get into but definitely worth the cost in the end. Lessons are laid out clearly and are very easy to understand. The videos are included with the teacher pack and are a nice feature as you gain an extra person to explain the lesson. Honestly I have had many times where I did the lesson with my children and have thought "Wow! That makes so much sense". I was good at math growing up because I could memorize well but I struggled to apply it to anything but a math test. Math-u-see just teaches things differently than other programs out there.
I was a little nervous because Gamma is all multiplication and you don't start division until Delta (4th grade). However, multiplication was taught in a way that made division a really natural thing to learn for my son once he got to it. If your children are doing state testing in math, it might be a problem to be missing division until that age though. If you are struggling with the cost, there is a yahoo group just for selling and buying Math-u-see curriculum so definitely check that out.