When I chose Right Start Math Curriculum over three years ago, I did so because my son was struggling with place values and was showing signs of dyslexia. He had already been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, so I knew the more tactile and hands on the learning, the better!
This homeschool math curriculum has NOT disappointed!
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My oldest has been using Right Start for 3 years now. My middle son is keeping pace with him, and my youngest just started level A this Fall.
Here’s what we love about Right Start Math:
Repetition without Boredom
One of my boys can grasp a concept one day, but by the next day need a refresher. With Right Start , there’s a “warm up” session everyday that does a quick verbal Q & A to help solidify the previous couple lessons. If we were using a curriculum that never circled back, I’d be afraid to keep going with new lessons until I was sure they had everything down pat. Instead, if a concept is a bit rocky for my kiddo, we can keep progressing with lessons, and they usually get the idea within a couple days without adding to their frustration or pressuring them!
Another way that they “drill” facts without being joy sucking drill sergeants is by playing math games. Nearly every lesson includes a game to play that makes repetition FUN! It’s perfect for kiddos that are hesitant to try things that make them feel dumb. It breaks down those barriers and I’ve seen my kids flourish in confidence.
Emphasis on Concrete Ideas, Not Memorization or Mindless Calculation
Right Start Math presents concepts in a very non-traditional order. It’s hard to explain the brilliant way they gently touch on multiplication or fractions in Kindergarten and then slowly build on that foundation as the months and years go by.
It’s a bit like a spiral staircase.
I, as the teacher, am aware that, “Hey, they’re actually practicing multiplication!” but my kiddos just know that their adding more quickly.
So by the time they formally introduce multiplication, kids feel confident. I regularly hear my boys say “Yeah, I know how to do that!” even thought it’s the first formal introduction to the concept.
When I first started, it was hard to trust the process.
I felt like things were a bit slow and I was comparing my kids to others (wah wah. We all do it!) But now that we’ve been at it for a while, it’s so obvious to me that my boys UNDERSTAND what they are doing and aren’t just acting like a calculator. Word problems are a breeze because they’ve worked with concrete ideas from the very beginning.
Do they have their times tables memorized? No, though I’m sure they will some day.
But they know how to approach real life problems, and their gaining to tools to solve those problems!
No Busy Work and Low Prep
We love Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education and one of her methods is short lessons. With Right Start, the worksheets are few and far between and certainly don’t have a ton of similar problems. I’m able to keep our lessons between 15 and 20 minutes every day (minus any games we play) and that helps keep math from becoming drudgery!
Right Start is well structured and organized with a script for parents to read. Each lesson has a short list of any manipulatives needed for that particular lesson. I’m able to look over the lesson literally two minutes ahead of time and feel prepared, and I’m no math wiz!
I’m super happy with our decision to switch to Right Start Math . It’s given my boys such a solid foundation and kept things enjoyable. I’m so very thankful!
Let me know if you have any questions about the curriculum in the comments below. Be sure to read my original article about why we picked Right Start Homeschool Math Curriculum in the first place since it explains many more specifics about the curriculum.
Julie is a frazzled mom of three tornadoes. As a dorky second-generation homeschooler, she writes about learning and play, natural living, special needs parenting and matters of the heart. She serves an astounding God that radically saved her.
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Janell Rinkenberger says
Hi. I just finished my 1st year of homeschooling my sixth grade daughter. She has dyslexia and struggles a lot with understanding math. This year we used Math Lessons for a Living Education. We worked through a few books because I was trying to “catch her up”. It does not go any higher so I need a new curriculum for this coming fall. I have looked at Math U See as well as this program. Curious if you ever used or looked into Math U See? Also wondering about jumping into the Right Start Math program at about the 6-7th grade level….Any advice or help is appreciated!!!
Julie says
I think I used Math U See as a kid for a couple years. I remember liking it. As far as jumping in to Right Start Math, I’d reach out to them directly. I’m sure they’ve run into many similar situations and would have good advice for you. I know that each book has a couple review lessons that they say to skip if you’ve done Right Start in previous years.