Since the new book, 100 Top Picks
for Homeschool Curriculum,by Cathy Duffy, was released, I have been asked to respond to a few
of her comments about our upper level courses. I appreciate her positive insights and observations
on our elementary level material. You can tell that Cathy has done her homework and I feel
she is right on the money. In the upper level section there are a few statements that give
me pause and I would like to take this opportunity to respond to them.
Easier than Most
When describing the Geometry text,
she uses the words “easier than most” to describe
this course. I happen to like that description very much, and believe it applies to all of
our courses. Making math understandable, clear, and “easy” is very important to us
and has always been one of our primary goals when teaching. That is why we have employed
video instruction and manipulatives. New material is presented concretely so students can “see” math.
Not only does math become clear, it becomes enjoyable. May we always be guilty of making
math easy!!
P. S. Geometry does have a list of theorems and postulates in Lesson 22. : )
Bird in Head
Algebra 1 was compared to other first
year algebra courses and found to “not cover as much
territory”. Our aim is to have students focus on the essential topics, and master them, rather
than be exposed to other less important material and fail to understand what they are studying.
Perhaps you had a similar experience when you were in school. You covered a lot of territory
but retained very little of the material you were exposed to. Duffy’s review correctly observes
that our Algebra 2 moves more quickly than traditional books. She goes on to say that after
a student completes our Algebra 1 & 2 they have covered similar material. Our observation is
that not only will they have studied the same “content” but they also will have understood
the “concept”.
A bird in the head is worth two in the textbook.
PreCalculus, formerly Trigonometry
Several additional lessons have been
added to our Trigonometry curriculum to enhance an already successful program. It is now
a strong PreCalculus course.
Honors Books
In 2005, our Honors Books were released.
These have been developed for the upper levels, beginning with Pre-Algebra and continuing
through Algebra 2. These were written for students who want more challenging problems. The
material presented in the books, contains new topics as well as more difficult applications of
content in the regular curriculum.
Advanced Students
In response to Duffy’s recommendation
of Math·U·See for average to slow students, we have a growing file of testimonies from bright
students who have excelled with Math·U·See. All of them have gone on to take college courses
while still in high school. Their professors have commented on the strong conceptual foundation
in math. These young people have benefited from our student-paced program, which teaches abstract
concepts concretely. When algebra is presented with manipulatives, students are able to grasp advanced
concepts and more quickly. This enables them to move into our upper levels at a younger age. Since
we are written for tutors, who can move at the student’s
pace, advanced students progress at their own pace and finish our high school course in a
timely fashion. As they master a concept, they are free to move efficiently through the material.
Student Paced
What is good for the advanced student
is also good for the learner who needs more time to master concepts. Student paced means
student paced. If they need additional time and practice, provide them with all the time
necessary to produce a confident accomplished math scholar.
If it Works
Parents often appear at our booths
at curriculum fairs and tell us how their students are enjoying and understanding math for
the first time, their test scores are up, and the teacher finally understands math. Then
they say they are thinking of switching from Math·U·See!! When we ask them why, they usually have
no answer except their friends are using another program and they are having doubts. Doubts?? The
children are learning math, it is becoming their favorite subject, they are progressing nicely,
and all are happy, and they are having second thoughts! Beware of peer pressure among parent educators!!
Since Math·U·See is working well for your family, stick with it!
Conclusion
Math·U·See is an effective math program
that works for students of all ages and learning styles. I am grateful that it is easier
than most. What works at the elementary levels is also effective at the upper levels. Try
it and you, and your students, will see!!
Steve Demme, for Math·U·See
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