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Douglas Schmitt of PrestonSpeed Publications: Almighty Father
we pray that tonight's event would be pleasing to You and useful in
accordance with Your sovereign will. We are grateful to be used of You
and to serve You. Bless the efforts of your servants, Dan and Angie
Sinclair and Mary Leggewie.
Bless each person in attendance
at this event. Make us ever grateful that in You we live and move and
have our being. In Christ's Name we pray, AMEN !
Mary Amen! Thank you
Doug!
Mary Welcome to tonight's
chat!
Mary Dan and Angie
Sinclair are the Math-U-See Distributors for California and Arizona.
They have been representing Math-U-See for two years. They are based
in Oceanside, California.
They met in Charlotte, NC
in 1985 and have now been married for 12 years. They have three children,
ages 5 to 9. All three are home schooled.
One of the greatest joys
they receive in home schooling is to see the light go on inside their
children's head when they understand a new concept. One of the greatest
joys they receive as Math-U-See reps is hearing that Math-U-See helped
other parents see the light go on in their children!
Welcome Dan & Angie!
Thank you so much for joining us tonight!
Dan and Angie Thank
you Mary. We are as excited as kids on Christmas morning to be here
with you tonight!
Mary Math-U-See is
the top ranked manipulative based math program in the home schooling
market according to a survey by Practical Home Schooling magazine in
1998. Can you tell us how you started selling Math-U-See?
Dan and Angie In 1997
we moved from North Carolina to California due to a job opportunity.
Once we arrived the job we moved for disappeared, we went three months
without Dan having a job. . .
During this time Angie met
the lady who was the Math-U-See (MUS) Representative for the area. Angie,
being the organizational expert that she is, helped that rep to run
the business. After a short period of time the rep told us that she
had decided to stop being the representative and asked if we would like
to take over. . .
We petitioned Steve Demme,
creator of MUS, and were given the exclusive distributorship for California
and Arizona on November 1, 1997. Since then we have had tremendous success
helping others to start understanding math. Many parents tell us that
math is their child's favorite subject thanks to MUS. We like to hear
that.
Mary Boy! what a wild
way to start out, though!
Dan and Angie Yes
it was very interesting!
Mary well, with the
cute southern accents, you fit in with the majority of our group here!
Mary Can you tell
us what is the difference between Math-U-See and other programs?
Dan and Angie The
differences depend on the program you are comparing MUS to but, there
are some differences that I consider to be critical. . .
1. MUS is designed not just
to teach your child, it is also designed to help you become a math tutor.
This is done through the videos which demonstrate how each concept should
be taught. Many parents learn how to really do math using this program
(I DID). . .
2. The program is designed
for home schoolers by a home schooling dad (Steve Demme). This is VERY
different from most other programs that were originally designed for
the classroom.. . .
3. Not teaching to the test.
MUS does not teach to any standardized tests. This means that MUS teaches
math in a systematic approach for mastery. There are four levels to
math; counting, addition, multiplication and exponents. . .
In each of these areas there
are opposites to what is being taught. Example: the opposite to addition
is subtraction. The way MUS teaches subtraction is from the standpoint
of mastery in addition. Subtraction is just the opposite of addition,
thus once addition is mastered then subtraction is much easier to understand.
. .
Programs that start addition,
jump in to subtraction then start multiplication without mastery of
the addition facts are just asking for trouble. MUS teaches math so
that the student can use math in a practical way in everyday life. .
.
When the student reaches
the upper grades, where testing becomes important for college, most
MUS students are ahead of their public school peers and thus are ahead
of the test. . .
As an example I can use our
own son who is nine. He started in the Foundations level and in now
on lesson eleven in Advanced (7th and 8th grade). His first math scores
were above average. He will be taking the CAT in May and we are highly
confident that he will score well above his grade level. . .
Dan and Angie While
I can't guarantee any of you similar results, I can tell you that we
have had many, many other families tell us similar stories about their
children. Remember you are the tutor and only you can determine what
is best for your child.
Mary Is it a complete
curriculum? Is it expensive?
Dan and Angie MUS
is complete from the introduction of numbers (Introductions level) to
Algebra II, which is the high school requirement to enter college. Mr.
Demme is currently working on Trigonometry, which might be out in the
fall of this year. . .
MUS is what I call a multi-year
program. This means that each level contains more than one school years
worth of work, thus the cost is spread out. Every level has a Teachers
Manual, Student Book, Video(s) and Manipulatives that are required to
teach each level. . .
As an example for Foundations
the books and video are $65, the base set of blocks are $30 and a skip
counting tape is $10. If you go through the Foundations level you would
not need to purchase the manipulatives again. . .
But, you would need to purchase
the Fraction Overlays $30. Thus the Intermediate level cost for someone
who has gone through Foundations is only $100 vs. $130 if your child
starts in Intermediate.. .
The same is true for all
levels (except Alg. II). If you have already used a level the next level
uses the same manipulatives from the previous level. Listed below are
what the start up costs are based on (a single student family) where
you start your child in the program . . .(these prices are accurate
as of 3/31/99)
Level
# of
years
$
Start-up
Cost
per year
Introductions
1
$95
$95
Foundations
3
$105
$35
Intermediate
3
$130
$43.33
Advanced
2
$155
$77.50
Basic
Alg&Geo
2
$115
$57.50
Algebra
II
1
$90
$90
Prices based on the
date of this interview, March 1999.
Dan and Angie NOTE:
These are the STARTUP costs based on a single child. If you have other
children in the program the costs for the next child to go through a
level is $15 for a new student book. This makes MUS one of the most
cost effective math program available to home schoolers. . .
Dan and Angie There
are other items that are available to support the main curriculum; Additional
Blocks, Extra Practice Sheets, Overview Videos and Place Value/Money
Charts that are available at a reasonable cost.
Mary Are the only
manipulatives the blocks and the fraction overlays?
Dan and Angie No,
there are also Algebra/Decimal Inserts. These are what makes Algebra
come to life!
Mary I felt like a
dummy the other day when we got our fraction overlays out for the first
time and I spilled them all over the floor...my 10 year old instantly
figured out how to put them back as I just stood there baffled!
Dan and Angie Been
there, done that! Our children have a way of teaching us many things.
Mary On of my reasons
for using MUS (we're just starting) is that my math fell through on
me at an older age, when I realized I had only memorized my way through,
and didn't understand the WHY!
Mary How do I decide
where to place my child, especially if I'm currently using another program?
Dan and Angie There
are two ways. You can have your child take the on-line placement test
found on the MUS web page. Or, you can call your local distributor and
they will gladly help you to place your child.
Mary No kidding! I
guess I should have loooked over the web site more carefully! The Web
site will be showing up on your screen shortly, by the way.
Mary Can my older
child just watch the video and teach herself?
Dan and Angie Mary,
please forgive me if I get a little passionate about this specific question.
In answer to your question yes, your child can watch the video and possibly
teach themselves. Do I or would I recommend it . . .Absolutely not.
. .
I do not know about all of
you in the audience today but, I would venture to guess that most of
you are home schooling because you want your child to have an education
given at home with you as the teacher . If this is the case, why would
any of us want to turn over a text book to our child and say "here
teach yourself, I am here if you have questions." . . .
We are the parents and tutors
of our children. We must be involved in all aspects of their learning.
Many parents are not good in math therefore they don't want to have
to teach their children or look bad when we might not know how to show
them.. . .
Often times we get questions
from parents in the upper grade levels who do not understand what is
being taught because they stopped tutoring. The first question we will
ask a caller is "Did you watch the video" Surprisingly often
the answer is no, my child did and he can't get the answer. . .
Once they watch the video
and are tutoring their child again, then the child can ask questions
and the parent knows where the child is and can answer questions with
confidence. Parents I urge you, no matter what the subject, stay involved
in tutoring your children. . .
Mary Ah...the old
"did you read the instruction manual" problem!
Dan and Angie We must
ensure that our children master the concepts and processes being taught.
Tests are not enough, only you can see when the light goes on in your
child's mind telling you that she has the answer. . .
MUS provides you with videos
that are designed to help YOU to be a tutor. A lot of children watch
the videos with their parents. Steve is an excellent teacher and many
children love the way he presents thing. . .
This makes MUS fun and interesting
to kids. After they have watched the video together they can then go
on to the Teacher's Manual and work out some of the practice problems
together. This makes it easy and fun for all! . . .
Mary It is obvious
from the videos that Mr. Demme has a passion for children and what he
is doing.
Dan and Angie Sorry
for getting on my bandstand there.
Mary Don't worry...I
dusted it beforehand...hop on up!
Dan and Angie That
is most definitely true!
Mary Are both the
teacher's guides and the videos necessary?
Dan and Angie Yes,
the video and teachers manual complement each other. You need both in
order to do this program.
Steve
Demme
Math-U-See founder
Mary Are the blocks
just for younger kids? What if my kid hates manipulatives and just wants
to do it in his/her head?
Dan and Angie The
base set of manipulative blocks are used from Introductions through
Basic Algebra and Geometry (If you have never seen Algebra done with
manipulatives before this is really neat!). . .
So, no they are not for just
the younger kids like in other programs. Also, MUS uses manipulatives
in every lesson. Most other programs only have manipulatives for certain
lessons. . .
As far as the kid who hates
manipulatives. The MUS program is designed to teach your child how to
do math concretely first and abstractly second. For children whose preferred
style is abstract first, MUS is a great . . .
Mary I can relate
to that...spending $55 on manipulatives for another program that I used
a handful of times!
Dan and Angie It may
be a little time consuming for them versus the abstract learning style
but, they will learn the concept AND the process. Most abstract learners
know how to get the answer, but not why they got the answer. MUS teaches
both. . .
If an abstract learner can
demonstrate that they can do the work with the manipulatives then let
them go on to the abstract with or without the blocks. The blocks are
there to show them "how" and "why" they are doing
the math. . .
Once they have learned the
concept concretely, then they can easily go on to the written abstract
work.
Mary Do I need one
or two sets of blocks? And how do the block sets fit together? What
if I already have Cuisenaire rods, or Mortensen blocks?
Dan and Angie If you
have one child one set of blocks should be enough. With more than one
child you may want to consider having additional blocks. We recommend
that with three or more you get the supplementary set. The second set
is a different mix of the same blocks found in the base set. The second
set allows you to build some of the larger problems. . .
In regards to the Cuisenaire
Rods and Mortenson Blocks I have pulled the following from a post on
the MUS Forum that was done by Kitty Foster, the rep in Texas, she does
an excellent job explaining. . .
Mortensen manipulatives are
the only ones that will EASILY integrate into the MUS program. There
are many difficulties in using Cuisenaire rods with MUS, all of which
you could probably get around if you are willing to put forth the effort.
The following characteristics are what make MUS manipulatives unique
when compared to Cuisenaire: . . .
1. MUS blocks have raised
grids AND color to identify the number of the rod. So, especially when
you subtract, you can count how many you have left, since, at that point,
you will get no help from the color of the rod. If you can count, you
never have to guess with MUS! . . .
2. MUS blocks have hollow
compartments on the opposite side from the grids. This side is the one
you use to subtract, but at the more abstract level, this side represents
the NEGATIVE value of the number. For example, you can illustrate adding
a plus 5 and a negative 8 very easily. . . .
3. Because of the raised
grids and hollow compartments, MUS blocks snap together, allowing children
to build with them. Beyond two rows high, therefore, they will not come
tumbling down, but will stay upright. . . .
4. MUS blocks can be converted
from base 10 (arithmetic) to base X (algebra) by snapping inserts to
the backs of the ten bars and hundred squares. These rods then represent
+X, -X, and X-squared. There are also inserts that allow you to use
the same rods to build and perform the four basic operations with decimals.
. . .
Dan and Angie 5. MUS
blocks match the colors of the fraction overlays and make transition
into the teaching of fractions smooth. The fraction overlays are critical
in teaching fractions. Most of this instruction is introduced in the
Intermediate level.
Mary My kids thought
I'd bought them Legos at first...
Dan and Angie They
are similar but not quite.
Mary My daughter is
the one that figured out the fractions matched color!
Mary How do thirty
six lessons cover two years?
Dan and Angie Good
question. MUS is designed to teach your child math. The concepts have
been broken down in to 36 - 40 lessons. Each lesson is designed to take
about two weeks. Some lessons will go faster and some will go slower.
. .
Based on a 36 week school
year this would be two years of math. Remember, because you are home
schooling you probably will go faster than this, but it is up to you
to ensure that your child has mastered the concept being taught before
moving on to the next lesson.
Mary It looks like
the Algebra program might not use the manipulatives as much. What makes
it better than another publisher's Algebra program?
Dan and Angie In the
Basic Algebra & Geometry (BAG) level the manipulatives are used
less than in the other levels. In Algebra II there are no manipulatives
at this time. Once the concept of "X" is mastered then the
use of manipulatives is reduced because math builds upon itself. . .
The one thing that Steve
Demme said that helped me to understand Algebra was, "Math is a
base 10 system, Algebra is a base "X" system. They are both
the same except that "X" is an unknown." . . .
Dan and Angie The
BAG (Basic Algebra & Geometry) level is a full year of Algebra and
a full year of Geometry. Some other popular math programs do not even
have a geometry program. MUS fully integrates Geometry with Algebra.
Mary How does someone
find a MUS representative? Can you ship it from CA, or will they have
to find a Math-U-See representative near them?
Dan and Angie There
are MUS reps around the world in the United States, Canada, South Africa
and Australia. You can find your local representatives name and phone
number on the MUS web page at www.mathusee.com. Click on the button
that says reps, find your state and you should find your representative.
. .
Dan and Angie While
we are representing MUS on this chat we are also unofficially representing
all of the MUS representatives. The MUS reps are nearly all home schooling
parents like you and will be more than willing to help you with your
needs. If you can't find the web site you can dial 888-854-6284 and
that will also connect you to your local representative.
Mary Is there support
for the math-challenged parent who might not understand what the video
and manual is explaining?
Dan and Angie Yes,
you will have support! . . .Most of the Reps are available to help you
and answer questions. Both Angie and I have gone through the program
and can give help in most areas. If we can't help you right then and
there we will set up a time to get back with you.
Mary Did you two have
a math background at all before beginning?
Dan and Angie Math
background?...
Dan and Angie Oh yeah...
straight "D's" in high school for me (Dan)
Mary aaahhhh.....
Dan and Angie Angie
of course made straight "A's"
Mary At least you
were consistent!
Mary You mentioned
a forum on the MUS Web site...is it available to all for general and
specific questions?
Dan and Angie Yes,
the website forum is a great place to post questions.
Mary Great! What if
there aren't enough worksheets for each lesson?
Dan and Angie The
MUS program is designed to build mastery concretely, using the manipulatives,
before ever touching a worksheet. Often times parents are used to a
program that required at least one worksheet page per day. . .
MUS is very different in
that we do not require a worksheet per day. In fact, there are usually
two or three days were we do not even touch the student book. . .
Mary We'll be getting
to your questions in a moment! Go ahead and submit any questions you
may have by click on the "Question Mark Icon."
Dan and Angie MUS
is all about teaching math and teaching students to enjoy math. We do
not want to create math phobics. One big key to the MUS program is the
use of the manipulatives. . .
We use them to teach the
students concretely. Once a concept is learned concretely the abstract
portion is more easily grasped by the student. . .
Each lesson contains four
worksheets in the student book per lesson. Plus there are additional
practice problems and tests in the Teachers Manual. For the majority
of people this is plenty of material; however, there are some parents
who want more worksheets for their student. . .
For those parents there are
Extra Practice Sheets that include four additional worksheets focused
on the actual concepts being taught in each lesson. These books are
$17.50.
Mary I can see that
I personally need to change my method! I've been focusing too much on
the worksheets!
Dan and Angie } Many
parents do...
Mary I appreciate
you sharing the prices tonight...it's always a pain to me when the price
is kept a mystery!
Dan and Angie It was
how we were taught
Mary How do I remember
to keep reviewing measurements, money, temperature, etc. Is this frequently
reviewed as it is with Saxon, for instance?
Dan and Angie MUS
uses the spiral approach to math. This means that there is review in
each lesson of concepts taught in previous lessons. . .
Dan and Angie The
review is not as strenuous as the other program with regards to money,
measurements and temperature.
Mary And now...YOUR
questions!!! Give me a moment to take a quick look and present them!
Dan and Angie Math
is an everyday learning experience.
Q&A: Questions and
Answers from the Audience
Beverly {question presented} Can Math U See be used a supplemental
material for other math programs?
Dan and Angie Sure
it can; however, it is designed to be a complete program. If you are
doing two programs together, they will rarely line up together. This
will make more work for you in the long run.
Tammy {question presented}
We recently switched from Saxon to MUS and are loving the Intermediate
Curriculum. I have a 4.5 yr old and would like to start her in MUS...Introductions
or Foundations...can you explain the difference?
Dan and Angie Sure,
Introduction is just as the title indicates. It introduces math from
the very beginning with the recognition of numbers.
Mary Can it be skipped
with a bright child?
Dan and Angie Once
a student has completed Introductions they will have covered place value,
some addition, time, skip counting and . ..
Dan and Angie counting
up to 100.
Mary my 5 year old
is learning to skip count just from listening to the tape with the other
kids! Would he be bored starting with Intro instead of Foundation?
Dan and Angie If your
child can recognize their numbers up to 9 and know their value then
yes you could go to Foundations
DianeZz {question
presented} My concern is that my daughter is learning the PROCESS of
"setting up the rods" a certain way to solve a problem of
a given type, but she's not understanding how to USE this process. We
do the story problems, but I still feel it's not enough. Without the
rods, she's unable to do the problem. What step am I missing?
Dan and Angie Everything
that is taught in Introductions except number recognition is taught
in Foundations. Foundations is a faster pace.
Mary aaahhh...
Dan and Angie In setting
up problems we use the manipultatives to teach the concrete portion
of the process.
Mary We'll let Dan
& Angie consider question 4 above for a few minutes...I think they
are typing!
Dan and Angie If you
child is struggling with the blocks then keep working with them...
Dan and Angie The
manipulatives are the key to helping understand the abstract portion
of the concept. Do not be afraid of spending several days just working
with the blocks.
Mary Caught me...it's
so easy to follow a math program that is a "one-a-day" no
brainer. I can tell I need to slow down with my 7 year old!
Dan and Angie That
is a wise statement.
Amy B {question presented}
How do you know what level to get? Does it go by ages or ability?
Dan and Angie Ability.
Math-U-See is designed to meet you and your childs needs where you are
at. Dan and Angie {public msg} If you call you representative they will
be glad to help you decide where to place your child.
Mary Amy, you might
have missed Dan & Angie tell us that there is an on-line placement
test. I am very excited to go check that out tonight!
DianeZz {question
presented} My daughter INSISTS on the worksheets so that she can see
her progress - I'm trying to wean her from that, but some days we're
spending far too long because after we do our activities (sans worksheet)
she insists on going on to the "real math" (i.e., worksheet)
Any suggestions?
Mary Submit any final
questions now!
Dan and Angie Well,
you are blessed to have a child who loves math. If she can do the math
then I have no problem with letting her do the problems in the workbook.
BUT, the concept must be mastered before moving on to the next lesson.
Mary Any last thoughts
Dan and Angie, to help us with our math!?
Dan and Angie If you
have any younger children, have her teach them.
Mary gee...have her
come over and teach ME!
Dan and Angie We as
parents sometimes put more pressure on our children to do well than
is actually necessary.
Mary It IS nice to
have a second chance to learn it all over again, the right way this
time!
Mary Dan and Angie,
I can't thank you enough for joining us tonight for this conference!
May God bless you and your family as you continue to homeschool and
to help other families with their homeschooling goals!
Dan and Angie Math
can be a VERY fun subject and can be used in everyday life. Take time
to develop the skills in your child that will help them to use math
confidently.
Mary One more quick
question has been proposed...
Dan and Angie Mary,
Angie and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here tonight
and present Math-U-See.
MarthaB {question
presented} We just purchased the Intermediate level. My son can do almost
all of the concepts except the end. Should I still start at the beginning
with him?
Dan and Angie You
have been an extremely gracious hostess!
Mary I get to thank
you again!
Dan and Angie Great!
Dan and Angie I would
use the beginning part as a review, just to be sure he had it, then
slow down when you come to the new material...
Dan and Angie Because
this is a new program for him you might want to give him lots of successes
which the beginning of the book will provide.
Mary Well, that's
it for tonight! Thanks again, Dan & Angie. By the way, Dan has told
me that they help out on the forum message board for MUS, so you can
ask further questions there!
Mary See you next
week for an informal chat. Keep an eye on our Christian Education Symposium
Page for more information about upcoming conferences! Mark your calendars
for the April 22 conference with Power-glide Language Systems.
