COURSE NO. MAT-371
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COURSE OVERVIEW
Math U See Alpha student text, teacher manual, test booklet, DVD set and basic manipulatives set. Skip counting CD is also recommended.
COURSE NOTES
This program is a practical, hands-on math program that goes beyond teaching just math. It actually teaches us moms how to love our children through teaching—worth every cent you spend on it! Program components are: video/DVD presentations, teacher manual, student text, and basic manipulative set. Add the Bible skip counting tape/CD also. Each lesson starts with a five to seven minute video presentation, supposedly for teacher training, but the kids learn as much from it as Mom. So, at the beginning of each new lesson, watch the video/DVD together. Then work a few minutes together through the teacher manual presentation, then assign them a worksheet of the new lesson. If they look to have the new concept already, give them the test the next day orally (scratch/work paper is encouraged). If they make less than 91%, before corrections, then do the rest of the lesson page by page before doing the test again. If the student makes 91% or more, before corrections, then give him the test the next day to do independently, and then move to the next lesson. Indeed, the goal grade is always 91% or more, before corrections--"mastery" level rather than “performance” level. Be patient, supportive and thorough.
Use the manipulatives as much as possible, and always have them open on the table whenever you are doing math, for easy access. Whenever a student refuses to use the manipulatives and really needs to, gently use them yourself, Mom: stand behind him and, reaching around his shoulders, work the manipulatives in front of him.
The three levels, “Primer,” “Alpha” and “Beta,” are clearly outlined on the Math U See website at www.mathusee.com . They have the tables of contents listed for the entire program, descriptions of the material that will be covered at each level, and even on-line placement tests if you need them.
An up-grade to this program would be RightStart, from Rainbow Resource or www.alabacus.com, which uses an abacus as its primary manipulative AND has any number of games to add to the program to address any rough spots your student hits. An almost equivalent to Math U See would be Horizons Math or Abeka Math, a standard textbook address with lots of color and activities. A very inexpensive math program would be Modern Curriculum Press Math or MCP Math, a simple workbook approach that’s been around forever. This program covers all of the material recommended for this grade level with little wasted ink. You will need to remember to add regular review throughout the year. We usually recommend you give again the review quizzes and tests the student has already done, at the end of each quarter, one per day, as the review sequence. Horizons, Abeka and MCP are all available from Rainbow Resource.
For quarterly reporting for “Primary Math/Alpha,” report by lessons, i.e. “MUS/Alpha,” Lessons 7 to 22; for a work sample, send a copy of the latest broad-based review worksheet with the errors clearly marked and a grade noted at the top. For work samples we need the questions or problems as well as the answers.
Scheduling Suggestions: 30min/day
BOOKS AND MATERIALS
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Math U See Alpha : Student Kit
Math U See Publ.; 2004; 30 lessons; student kit includes student text and test booklet; see www.mathusee.com for placement tests, complete tables of contents, and scope and sequence lists.
The year's focus is single-digit addition and subtraction. Before starting this level the student should be able to count and write the numbers from 0 to 9. Place value is reviewed briefly. The pace should be about one lesson per week. Work four and five days per week, in 30 to 35 minute sessions, with a "refreshing moment" (the student rolls his eyes and shoulders around, sips at some water, takes a deep breath or two) in the middle of the sessions.
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Math U See Alpha : Instruction Pack
Math U See Publ.; Contains the Teacher Manual, and the video in either DVD or VHS format
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Math U See Publ.; “The initial Starter Set is an 80-piece set of colorful, base 10, stacking blocks used to teach all aspects of arithmetic. These are also used with the Inserts to illustrate beginning algebra and decimals.” - www.mathusee.com
One set per family. This manipulative set is necessary to the Math U See program and is used from the first level through the Algebra 1 level of Math U See.
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LESSON PLANNER
WEEK A
Preparatory Week A: Use this school week to gather the materials for this course and thoroughly read the book notes, course notes, and, if applicable, the weekly lesson plan in your St. Thomas Aquinas Academy curriculum guide.
WEEK B
Preparatory Week B: Use this school week to complete Preparatory Week A and explore the materials for this course. Flip through all of this course’s materials. Make mental notes about the design and organization the resources for the course (editor’s notes, table of contents, maps, charts, forms, appendices, glossaries, bibliographies, end notes, internet supports, etc.).
WEEK 1
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WEEK 4
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WEEK 15
WEEK 16
