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This curriculum is divided into levels rather than grades and features extensive use of hands-on materials. The course is workbook-based and employs a great deal of interaction with an abacus and other counting skills. The publisher says that incorporating the abacus into the training allows the teachers “to provide a visual, auditory, and kinesthetic experience” to the student. The workbooks cost around $18 apiece, and the complete elementary kit is over $500.
Website: RightStart Mathematics
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(8 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: Initial cost, but it's a one time investment.
Grades Used: K
I love this program. I am using with my child who has Childhood Apraxia of Speech. We started with A in kindergarten and will continue to use this program. It's a gentle but solid approach to learning math. My child has been able to math problems that my 2nd grade PS niece is working on. Excellent for kids who don't like writing. Once you buy the manipulates, the yearly cost is reasonable.
Cons: Expensive
Grades Used: Right Start Math Level A 2nd Edition
We decided on RightStart Math (RS) for my grandson this year, after researching several of them. We liked RS, because it used the abacus, card games, manipulatives etc., and included music. It encourages and enables him to really understand math.
Cons: can't find any
Grades Used: K-1
After trying other math curriculum, our family is loving the RightStart. Our children are thriving and grasping the basics in theory as well as in practice. After each lesson they ask for more math! Also, it's priced just right.
Cons: unique, so perhaps "scary"
Grades Used: 1st through 6th
I've used RS Math since my son was in 1st grade. I was looking for a manipulative-driven curriculum that would meet my son's need to handle to learn. This is IT! Yes, it is pricey, but the manipulatives are sturdy and you will use them for years - and the TM and student's books aren't really out-of-line with other manual prices. I've read reviews that it is a time-consuming curriculum, and yes, Mom (or Dad!) needs to be working with the child during math time BUT I see this as an advantage because all corrections are made as we work through the day's lesson - not hours to days later when Mom finally finds time to check answers as I know happens to many homeschooling moms using other more independent programs.
There is a bit of learning curve to understand the author's style and if you don't agree with her educational philosophy (found on their website), you probably won't enjoy this unique approach to math.
We've done Levels B, C & D and are well into E. We are looking forward to the Geometry year that follows! I see my son developing a very solid understanding of numbers and how they interact, not just a rote knowledge based on memorization of facts. I am a satisfied customer!
Cons: a little pricey
Grades Used: 2nd
My son & I love this program. It is very hands on & he is a kinesthetic learner so he loves the games & we are both learning as we go. We tried another math curric. similar (manipulatives approach), but he wasn't getting it. This is a fun approach & he wants to do it every day.
Cons: little expensive, too simple...lol ( I have to keep myself from rushing through it! ;-)
Grades Used: Level B 1st and 3rd
This is my first year of HS, both of my daughters were in PS last year (K and 2nd). My older daughter had alot of struggles with math in PS while my daughter that was in K has a gift for numbers so I wanted a program that I could do with them both. My older daughter's problem with math was because she needed to see a pattern and have hands on manipulatives. I did a alot of research to make sure I have curriculum that is going to work for both my daughters (1st and 3rd) and ME! After checking out math curriculum at HS Convention, Online, and used HS sales, Math U See and Rightstart seemed the best choices. I chose Rightstart because of the abacus and the math games. It helps my 3rd grader see patterns and both girls think its a blast to play with the abacus. They don't see it as work, just fun! Sometimes they are disappointed when our lesson is done and if they have a choice which subject to do first for the day, they both choose math. My 3rd grader no longer dreads math. As for me, I love how simple the lesson plans are. They give easy instructions to follow and it is easy to make the lessons as short or long as you want to. The Math games are great, sometimes, instead of doing the lesson for the day we just play a math game to reinforce what they have learned or are learning. As you can tell, I just can't say enough good stuff about it!
Cons: Uses different math language than other programs
Grades Used: K-1
We used this program a few years ago and really liked it. It makes math concepts easy to understand and fun to learn. It is a bit expensive, but so are all math programs. I highly recommend it.
Cons: a bit pricy
Grades Used: 1-2
We really love RightStart Math for our kids! We had been using another curriculum for them, but they just weren't getting it. Then we came upon RightStart at our homeschool convention two years ago. It's a bit pricy, but well worth the investment. The lessons are broken down into managable "bites" that explain concepts excellently! I'm even re-learning concepts that I had never gotten in gradeschool! I highly suggest this to anyone!!!