Math-U-See Homeschool Mathematics Curriculum
Review and Insight on this Home Education Arithmetic Program
Feb 6, 2009
Math-U-See was created by Steve Demme while he was teaching math and saw the benefit of frequent review and working with manipulative materials. He observed the link between actually "seeing" the computation and concepts demonstrated concretely with the "understanding" of math.
Combining systematic review with hands-on manipulatives, Mr. Demme developed a complete math program that uses interlocking, colorful blocks and other touchable student manipulatives to teach math to students,
Math-U-See now has instructional DVDs, teacher manuals, student texts and test booklets to provide the review and reinforcement. Everything works together to make a smooth teaching and learning experience.
Cathy Duffy Names Math-U-See a Top 100 Pick
Homeschool expert Cathy Duffy put Math-U-See in her Top 100 Picks book for homeschool curriculum. She believes part of what makes Math-U-See so popular is that it gives parents and teachers "a new or renewed enthusiasm for math then do a much better job teaching their own children." [Cathy Duffy, 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum, B&H Publishing Group, 2005].
Duffy expresses that Steve Demme's presentations of math concepts (on the DVDs) may help adults understand concepts they were taught in math classes but never truly grasped.
Grades and Math Subjects Covered by Curriculum
Greek letters are used to designate most levels, so grade level is not evident to the student. Students work through each level in sequence. This also offers parents the choice of deciding which child is ready for which level when. Titles in sequence are Primer, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and PreCalculus. One big advantage of Math-U-See is that is the program works for the homeschooling family; it can take one all the way through high school and re-used buy younger siblings.
What is Included?
Manipulatives are the heart of this complete math curriculum. Interlocking, colorful blocks (and other manipulative items, depending on level) teach math in real, hands-on fashion. The blocks are absolutely needed, along with a textbook and worksheets to provide the review and reinforcement. Each level also comes with a Teacher Manual and a student text. A DVD or video is included, mainly to "teach the teacher to teach." Other items like skip-counting tapes are also offered and can be useful.
One can pick and choose, and some manipulatives (the blocks for instance) may be found on eBay or at curriculum fairs.
One helpful note: there are older versions and while they are good, page numbers and such may not line up and that can be frustrating. It may be worth buying the full set for the level needed, especially for the first try. Also, Math-U-See blocks are not compatible with any other math blocks or rods.
More About Math-U-See Mathematics Program
For more about this curriculum, including a free placement test and preview video, visit their website. There is much more information about the program on the website.
Homeschooling Support Closing Notes and Summary
This is a program that does take discipline (as do they all). Homeschoolers must practice concepts perhaps beyond the workbook pages given, which can be tricky. Also, math is one of those "every day" subjects. One has to make the effort to really stay on the ball.
Some people are math people and some people are not. If a home-schooling family is struggling with mathematics, is burned out, is falling behind, or any number of thing, a change may be in order. Once one has made the commitment to one curriculum (and paid for it), it can be hard to "give up" and change. But this is one of the most wonderful advantages of home education. Homeschool parents and students are not "stuck" with a bad or curriculum that just doesn't fit.
If budget is an issue, perhaps the old books can be sold. Maybe a garage sale or bake sale will save the day. But why struggle when there may be something out there that can may a student take off? Education is too important to be stubborn. Occasionally changes are in order and may make all the difference in the world.
Homeschool with joy.
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