RightStart Mathematics
Grades: K-4
RightStart Mathematics
RightStart Mathematics is a hands-on and visual program for grades K-4. It uses the AL abacus to help visualize concepts and strategies for memorizing the facts. Practice is provided through Math Card Games.
RightStart does not emphasize counting as the starting point for mathematics but instead the child is taught to visualize quantities grouped in 5s and 10s with the help of the AL abacus. Place value is made easier by using number names that exactly match with math: for example, 12 is called "ten 2" (or "1-ten 2") and 23 is "2-ten 3".
It has daily lesson plans for the teacher in a spiral-bound book, and worksheets for the child in another spiral-bound book. The child uses the AL abacus, plus various other manipulatives and aids, such as card games, colored tiles, geoboard, thousand cubes, etc.
They also sell a separate geometry course, designed to be very hands-on. A lot of the work is done using a drawing board, T-square, triangles, compass and angle ruler. It includes middle school geometry topics plus many more, but even fourth-grades could do the beginnings of it.
Level A $100, level B $150, level C $180, level D $175, Level E $160 (starter kits). These match grades K-4. See more details about the geometry course.
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Reviews of Rightstart Mathematics
| Level: Right Start Geometric Approach |
Time:10 months |
Your situation: Home schooling-three kids.
I liked this program because it actually TAUGHT my child how to figure out math problems rather than just tell them the formula and have the student do set-up problems of the same. Dr. Cotter actually has the child experience the concepts of the formulas so it becomes REAL to them.
I don't like the editing errors in it but they have a customer service that will walk you through the information.
I found it help to do the program with my child, even though it is taught to the child and can be self taught. I still preferred to be right there learning the concepts too!
I have even used the information the the book several times.
Kim
Review left March 31, 2008
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Your situation:
We've homeschooled for 11 yrs. We've used Saxon K-76, Mathematical Reasoning, Prof. B, Math-it, and more. The kids lacked understanding and comprehension of the rote processes of math. I chose this over Math U See--the other program I was planning to switch to--after joining both yahoo groups.
We start our children on formal academics at later ages, and RS allows them to move forward at their own pace.
We've used B, C, E, Geometry, and Transitions. We are currently in D. I will use B-E w/ our younger kids as well.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
RS has an abacus that just makes so much sense! There are lots of manipulatives to this program, but they all really make sense. And if your child doesn't get it w/ one, there are others to choose from.
Math facts etc. are practiced through games--not endless timed drills. I've grouped our kids for their math lessons, so they can also play the games w/ each other instead of me!
They are truly understanding the concepts and the why behind the how of math.
There are homeschool moms who use RS that are only a phonecall/email away and very willing to help!
I would only recommend the Geometry for gifted math-lovers. We made it through, but it wasn't really written to the student like we thought. (I had to be very involved, and our kids were early teens.) Too many of the directions weren't clear, and I like math. There were a lot of errors--most of which have been corrected now on their website. The program still isn't done being written. The hands-on drawing concept is neat and a few math-loving kids might enjoy it, but better to go w/ a completed, clearly written/understood program and just buy their geometry panels--those were neat!
Any other helpful hints:
Go for the lower levels--A or B through E.
It really freed up my time to group the kids so they could play the games w/ each other.
This is a great program for comprehension.
RS is very rigorous, so start older or go SLOW!
Their yahoo group and website bulletin board are a great resource for help.
Martha
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Your situation:
We began RightStart after trying numerous other math curricula. Math will never be my daughter's favorite subject but I do feel like this was the least painful of all the choices. She enjoyed practicing skills with card games rather than endless drill sheets.
It isn't perfect but now that we are finished with E, I do feel like my daughter has good understanding of concepts.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
I liked that the lessons were scripted and required little preparation by me, yet they were not overly scripted (like Saxon is for early grades).
There were some spots where I felt the books bogged down and stayed on one topic too long. And in other places, it moved too quickly before a concept was fully fleshed out.
Any other helpful hints:
RightStart lacks sufficient work with word problems in my opinion. I recommend supplementing here.
Some children may also need more cumulative review of previously learned concepts. This isn't built in to RightStart so plan on adding that in unless your child is a math whiz who retains everything he learns.
Kim
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| Level: A & B |
Time:6 months |
Your situation:
I started homeschooling my 3rd grader last January. She could not understand the math concepts because of the rote philosophy she was taught in school. I found Right Start and the "light" went on! I transitioned her and introduced this program to my Kindergartener last year as well. I am so thankful my youngest got this from the start. I had to retrain my oldest and myself. I am even understanding concepts in a new light!
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
I like the research and explanation behind the program. It makes sense, is valid, and I am seeing the ease and enjoyment of math in a whole new way; the "Right" way. The only challenge is time with lessons with 2 children. I am now using the lessons more as a unit approach.
Any other helpful hints:
I have a Masters in Education with a specialty in special ed. This is truly a program that delivers what it says. With so many manipulatives and games to reach every learning style, this is a program for any kind of learner. Math is not just a group of numbers. Understanding concepts truly opens our eyes and understanding to the world around us. That is our goal. To help our children understand the world around us. This is easy and fun for all involved. I will not ever go back to traditional rote, paper math that does not deliver conceptual understanding or mental mastery.
Emily Meyer
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Your situation:
I have homeschooled for 20 years. I have used Saxon & Math U See through the high school levels, Bob Jones & A Beka K thru 3rd. When I started my kindergarten student this time I was very impressed with what I read about Right Start. I have not been disappointed. It is very easy to use & I am completely awed at the foundation laid for math concepts from the beginning of the program. It would be especially great for a student that had not mastered writting skills as there is little paper work. My daughter is truely enjoying this curriculum. I know full well how tedious some of the other programs can be. I believe the logic and thinking skills she is learning are essential to mastering mathematics.
Why you liked/didn't like the book:
There is almost no preparation for the teacher, except copying some simple manipulative pages. The lessons are broken into very manageable segments that even the youngest K student could handle.
Any other helpful hints:
This curriculum is research based & delivers what it promises. They also are available for answering questions one has about the program.
Mary Casey
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| Grades: B & C |
Time:2.5 years |
As a beginning homeschool mom, I had already seen my daughter learn the numbers and basic addition principles before starting kindergarten, but I had a hard time finding a kindergarten math curriculum that did not spend half the time on these basic issues. So, when I found RightStart at a home school convention, I was immediately drawn to its quick review of these basics and its fun way of introducing counting and addition through use of the abacus. My daughter is now finishing the 2nd grade curriculum, and she is already stating multiplication facts with ease. This curriculum has been a home run for us! It incorporates games, speed drills and lots of manipulative opportunities. Most importantly, it continually reviews different ways of solving problems, so it is easy to find what fits your child's learning personality and also gives your child freedom to solve it his or her way. This is program is great!
Kristy Trent |
| Book: Rightstart Mathematics |
Time:2 years |
I bought Rightstart Mathematics after trying SO many other homeschool math programs (you would be amazed at how much money I have wasted!) for my 11 yr old daughter. This is a totally different program from most traditional ones; it uses the abacus and math way of counting, 11 would be ten-one, 20 would be two-ten, etc. It has really helped my daughter and I later purchased level B for my 2nd grader, and he can do the problems quicker than his older sister! How I wish I had found this program when she was younger! It is a little expensive, around $120 for complete program, but well worth it if your kids are burned out on all of the kill and drill math programs. I must warn you, though, you cannot just hand the child the worksheet and let him go at it; the parent must read ahead and explain almost every lesson because they are learning so many new things in different ways. Lots of hands on activities and new ways of looking at math. My daughter actually enjoys math now, and I understand it a lot more too!
Thanks, Mrs. Cotter, for creating this program!
Kristi |
Reviews of Rightstart Mathematics math from HomeschoolReviews.com
Review of RightStart Mathematics from Old Schoolhouse magazine
RightStart Mathematics complete program at LadyBug Homeschool Supplies
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