Hi, I am a homeschool mom of 3. We have been using RightStart since grade 1 with my son who is now a 3rd grader. We're still on the 2nd grade book since we take things at our own rate, but my son tests at a 4th/5th grade level for math, so obviously he's benefitted by this approach.
This year we have been taking a unit study approach to our school work. Overall, this is working very well for us, but often we don't do a math lesson, as they take a while and throw off the rythmn of our day. Instead we play a game or do an active drill. I keep track of what we "should" be doing, and guide the games and gradually introduce new subjects and occasionally assign a workbook page. Mostly I use the book to plan. I am benefitted mostly by the advice about how and when to present the new information.
My question is about the Activities for the ALabacus program. It seems less structured, but there is not much info about it. Does it give teaching tips, or suggest an order in which to teach the basics? How many pages of reproducible worksheets in the workbook? Can I create a good math program with the games, an abacus and the Activities and the Worksheets?

Thanks,

Kirsten

Dear Kirsten,

Thank you for your post. RightStart is a full comprehensive curriculum. The Activities for the ALabacus is not. The Activities for the ALabacus only teaches basic computational skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and does not include fractions, time, money and geometry. I would recommend that you continue what you are doing with RightStart or consider starting your day with a RightStart lesson and then moving into the rest of your Homeschool day. This would help to not throw off the rhythm of your day. The Activities for the AL abacus book is not written in a daily lesson format so you would need to figure out what and how much you want to present in a day.

From what I am reading it sounds like you do a good job balancing it all. As stated above I think you will do well to keep up with the RightStart curriculum by adjusting it and fitting it into your regular school day.

Please let me know what you think and other questions you might have.

Sincerely, Rosine