Horizons & MUS???

We are plugging away at Horizons Math 1. Its an OK program, I'm getting used to it. Maybe its even good for us!? Its not the way I would choose to teach math, and it is not the way I would choose to learn math, though. It reminds me too much of my math in school. I wonder what my school days would've been like if I had really understood math before moving on. I wonder what my school days would've been like if I had known how to move numbers around and manipulate them - twist them into a certain point of view. And so...I am thinking about supplementing Horizons Math 1. I think we NEED something that will keep us moving forward, and Horizons is great for that. Its like AEROBICS in the exercise world:) But I feel I need a little STRENGTH TRAINING, too! LOL. And so, I am thinking about adding that element of strength training into our daily mathematical exercises. I think MUS might be a good choice. How will I juggle two math programs?!? Here are some options:

1. Do Horizons every-other-day, MUS on the in between days. (ex: Horizons M, W, F & MUS T, Th, F, or something like that)
2. Do Horizons until we get bored or hit a brick wall. Put Horizons away & pull out MUS (this rotation might occur every few weeks or so)
3. Keep up with Horizons & simply add in watching the MUS DVD & Teacher's Guide instructions - incorporate this in our Horizons practice.

Next, how will we finance such a venture as 2 math programs running simultaneously? That's a GOOD question. We currently have two houses & are trying to sell one of them. As soon as that house sells, I have a few congratulatory "you-made-it-through" prizes in mind for myself! First, I want a laminator. A good laminator that can laminate file folders. Second, I think I want another math program! In the meantime (while I'm dreaming of laminators & MUS...) I am hoping to simply make all my payments on time, and still feed my children.

Horizons Math 1 - A Review

This is a review of Horizons Math 1

Uses a spiral approach - a subject is briefly introduced, practiced a few times, and then added to later. Very visual - workbook pages use a colorful, organized format. Review is mixed in with new concepts on workbook pages. There may be 4 or more different tasks to complete on each workbook page (i.e., it isn't just a page full of addition problems). Book is fast paced & moves quickly.

Horizons math is GREAT for:

• Visual learners
• Kids that are easily bored by focusing on a single concept at one time
• Kids that do not do well with the Mastery approach
• Kids that like a fast pace
• Teachers that want continual review throughout the year
• Teachers that want a program laid out for them to follow, with a daily plan

Horizons is TERRIBLE for:

• Auditory & hands-on learners, those who do not do well visually
• Kids that need to focus on a single concept & master it

Other disadvantages to Horizons:

Horizons' pace:
You spend a week's lessons memorizing addition facts 1-9, and a week later are memorizing addition facts 1-18. A child is expected to count by 2s to 20 before starting the program, but only spend 1 week on practicing counting by 2s to 100 before switching over to counting by 3s to 100. This is the very same reason I abandoned Singapore Math Earlybird K: the pace did not suit us - it went too fast and we were never able to master something before moving on.

In conclusion: Some people really like Horizons math. Horizons math is not for everyone. It does not offer enough hands-on and auditory teaching methods. It has a quick pace that may not work for everyone. For us: I give Horizons Math 1 TWO THUMBS DOWN.