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Wow! Middle School! Its coming up and its coming up fast! We started homeschooling when my oldest was entering 1st grade now we are heading into Middle School! Holy Smokes! Crazy how time flies! (Notice all the exclamations marks? Yes. I’m almost in a panic.)
So, of course when I was asked to review RightStart Math Curriculum on the middle school level, I gladly accepted.
We’ve never used RightStart. I’ve heard of it, during the early days of my homeschooling journey, but never bit the bullet but here we are, RightStart Math is in my home. I’m pretty excited about it. You’ve most likely heard about RightStart, but if you haven’t, here’s a quick break down:
RightStart™ Mathematics is a complete elementary and middle-school program that uses visualization of quantities, de-emphasizes counting, and provides strategies and games for learning the facts. The primary learning tool is the AL Abacus, a specially designed two-sided abacus that is both kinesthetic and visual.
-RightStartmath.com
Initially, I was hesitant about the curriculum because of Rightstart Methodology. It is loosely based on the Montessori method, and that’s not how we do homeschool here. In my home, we usually used a math curriculum that is considered pretty traditional. Textbooks, worksheets, and some manipulative. However, one of the many benefits of starting with RightStart Level G is that no prior work with RS Math is necessary to complete this level.
RightStart Level G – Lessons and Goals
RightStart Level G deals will all things Geometry. Shapes and calculations. Also, if you have an artistic child, they will love the pretty art created during some of the later lessons.
This Middle School Curriculum is geared towards 7th and 8thgrade kids. The lessons are formatted for the student so they can be done independently. This level helps transition the child from working with Parents to becoming an independent learner. Every lesson is broken up into 4 sections; Objectives, Materials, Activities, and Extras. There are 130 lessons, some will be worked on over multiple days, while others can be done within one day. The lesson appears to be easy, but it gradually increases in difficulty due to the patterns, shapes and eventual calculations. The length of the lesson can vary depending on own’s abilities.
Right now, my son’s main focus is steadying his hands and tools to make the lines as perfectly as he can. Aside from the mathematical benefits of this program, I really appreciate the focused reading time. It allows us to practice our comprehension skills, strategy reading for context clues, and work on our executive functioning skills; focus attention, remember instruction, and execute plans.
Because the lessons are formatted exactly the same, it becomes familiar and my son knows what to expect. Further, you are always practicing and reinforcing Needed skills that can definitely be applied to anything that he does in life. I love it. On a lighter note, it feels great not to be the only one repeating myself! Joking…..maybe.
This text is written with several goals for the student:
a) to use mathematics previously learned,
b) to learn to read math texts,
c) to lay a good foundation for more advanced mathematics,
d) to learn mathematical terms,
e) to discover mathematics everywhere, and
f) to enjoy mathematics.
The goals are realistic to the program and are being met. He is only in the 5th grade and still needs guidance with practicing patience and remembering to read materials multiple times to fully understand the instructions. He tends to scan the page and assumes what needs to be done based on the visual aids, but we are working on slowing down and carefully reading through each section of the lessons.
The exercises make him stop and think about how to position his tools. Should he flip the triangles? Which way should he slide the T-Square? Maybe it’s easier to turn the whole drawing board around? Eventually, he will get it. 🙂 This program is really laying down strong educational ownership.
Additionally, my son is loving the independence of the Level G Curriculum and I like that it also reviews some other concepts (such as fractions, arithmetic and algebra), but from a geometry perspective.
Oh, you know what’s another pretty cool feature with this Level? There is a Worksheet Results section in their worksheet binder. It encourages self-correction after each lesson. Since Level G is meant for the student to teach themselves, they can use the solution guide to check their work and grade themselves. Maybe, this wasn’t the intention of the program but it reinforces the expectations I already set for my own kids. Focus, Discipline and Integrity. The student definitely has to use the honor system to review and correct.
Math Games and Practice
RightStart Level G is Geometry focused and has many benefits, however, it doesn’t have enough arithmetic practice (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, for us. It does weave in previous math skills using games from their Math Card Games book. Its included in the RS2 Geometry Set. So, if this is your only math curriculum, I wouldn’t skip the math games. It’s strictly mental math games and a welcomed relief from all the focus skill-building from the lesson. At least according to my son, the games relax him. Also, we can include other members of the family to join the gaming fun. The time length of the games we played was at most 10 minutes. Realistically, longer at times, but I think that had to do with all the yelling about rules. Kids here are super game rule followers.
I just want to add, for my family, the games aren’t enough practice with arithmetic. So I do add other math curriculums with handy-dandy worksheets to help.
Wanna know more?
- There is a placement test to gauge where your child might belong, If you need human help, like me, please call them. They are very happy to help.
- Here is the Sample Lessons and Table of Content for RSMath Level G.
- What kind of games topics are covered in RSMath Level G, click here.
- If you do buy the curriculum, there is a 60-day money back guarantee.
- There is an RightStart™ Mathematics Level G Online Class at extra cost.
- How is Montessori incorporatated into RightStart Math?, click here.
- Interested in the lower levels but need teaching support, click here.
I sincerely hope, this review was helpful to you. This is a brand new program for us and we are enjoying it. I appreciate the increment lessons, the repeated formatting of the lessons, and the practice it sets for independent learning. Here is the link for a video explanation for RSMath Level G, if you need further help.
An unexpected surprise, my daughter enjoyed the Math Card games so much, that I personally purchased RightStart Math Level C for her. We will be giving our normally used curriculum a break and start with RightStart Level C. Why? Because I saw something change with her understanding of math when she was playing with the AL Abacus and card games. She was relieved, almost. I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out.
How much does RightStart cost?
RightStart Math Level G is priced at about $220. The costs include the Level G Second Edition Book Bundle; Lessons, Solutions, Worksheets, and RS2 Geometry Set. You also have the option to purchase the worksheets as a PDF for an additional cost of about $10. However, if you are a RightStart User and have the Manipulative Kit, then you can instead purchase the RS2 Short Geometry Set; a more pared-down set of manipulatives.
Please consider clicking here to use my affiliate link to purchase directly from the publisher.
I hope this review was helpful and happy homeschooling!.
Homelife with Quin5 