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Post a message or simply read what others have written and answered. Rachel, a RightStart™ Math user and one of our customer care people, will be monitoring this forum. She will respond to your questions as needed.

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4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

RSM is the only math we have used, and I STRONGLY believe in the philosophy behind it. My daughter LOVED this program when she was in 1st & 2nd grades; however, due to life circumstances, we have not been consistent for 3rd & 4th grades. We completed RSA and up through RSB 45. Life is back to normal now but for 4th grade this year, we have done little to no math due to an intensive Language Arts program that is taking much more of our time. Her lack of math skills has become glaringly apparent to her for the first time, leaving her feeling inadequate and completely humiliated at our weekly co-op where math games are played. She doesn’t have the foundational skills to play the games at the fast pace the other students do who have simply memorized these math facts. She is very bright, reads several grade levels above her own, and does very well with her other studies. Although we’re doing some wonderful things in other areas of our home school, to hear her embarrassment, angst, and lack of confidence about math absolutely breaks my heart. I always excelled at math and, therefore, kept putting it on the back burner thinking we could easily come back to it. RSM is completely different from how I learned math growing up, and what I discovered is that it takes more preparation on my part than I had anticipated and more time to teach than the other math programs our friends are using (although from reading other posts, I was definitely teaching too long, usually an hour at a time). I originally came here needing a HUGE dose of encouragement, but reading many posts on this forum has already given me that. I’m so thankful for the shared stories here! I can do this! :) Now what I need to know is, what level to go with at this point.

Although my girl doesn’t know her math facts very well (a little simple addition, no subtraction, a little multiplication), she CAN skip count through the 15’s, squares, cubes, and knows fluid/linear/metric measurements, how to tell time, money value, place value, and can add 10’s easily. Tens with ones (like 63+20) give her a little trouble. She knows her multiplication facts through the 3’s but doesn’t fully grasp the concept. Based on what I’ve read here from others in similar predicaments, would it be correct to say we should start over with RSB or at least pick up where we left off?

Even as much as I LOVE this program, I must admit that the pre-planning I was having to do previously felt overwhelming & tedious, and was part of the reason I kept putting it off. I recently looked at the RS2 sample pages and like the format SO much better! Looks much more manageable. But I don’t want to compromise on rigor ~ are RS1 & RS2 the same amount of rigor? Do they encompass the same material? I’m not a fan of Common Core, so when I saw that RS2 uses the CCSS as a base minimum, I was immediately turned off and assumed I would stay with RS1. But now understanding RS2 (as well as RS1) exceeds CCSS and now having seen the new format that looks so much easier to follow, I’m considering switching to RS2. Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much for your time in helping us get back on track!

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

Hi, Michelle.

I highly recommend that you take our online placement quiz to determine which level your daughter needs. Here is a link to the quiz: http://rightstartmath.com/home-school/placement-test.

I absolutely LOVE the Second Edition program. However, if your daughter is ready for Level C today and because the Second Edition program will not be available until sometime during the summer, I would not wait. I would recommend that you go ahead and start her in Level C First Edition now and continue to move her forward and get her caught up.

I have a son who has some learning issues (Dyslexia, ADHD, memory issues, etc.) and we, too, got behind. There were times when we couldn't move forward at all because he just couldn't do it. We would spend days and weeks on one topic. I started to get 'panicky' and worried that he would not catch up. However, with lots of diligent, persistent work (even through the summer) he did catch up! :-) I would recommend that you consider teaching over the summer as well. You will find that in doing so not only will you cover more ground, but also your daughter will not have 'forgotten' what she learned the previous year.

Below, I am giving you a 'plan of attack' of levels and grades to get her caught up:

Grade 4 (summer) Grade 5 (fall) - Level C
Grade 5 (spring - summer) - Level D
Grade 6 - Level E
Grades 7 & 8 - Level G with VideoText Algebra Module A
Grades 9/10 - VideoText Algebra Modules B-F
Grades 11/12 - VideoText Geometry Modules A-F (which includes Trigonometry and PreCalculus)

As you can see, by following this schedule, your daughter will be exactly where she needs to be by high school! :-)

I hope that helps! If you have any further questions (or need a little encouragement!), please feel free to repost here or you can email us directly at info@rightstartmath.com!

Have a fabulous day!
Rachel

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

Thank you so much for your insights and encouragement, Rachel. I did take the placement quiz before I originally posted and Level B was recommended, I think because she has memorized a lot of math facts but doesn't know how to do the processes to get to the answers. Would you please give me a revised plan of attack based on starting with Level B? Plans of Attack really help me as I tend to be a bit disorganized. I think I need to start using lesson plans at this point to help us stay on track. We do year round schooling but will be focusing mainly on math in the summers until she is caught up. I do believe we will get caught up with diligence and persistence!

Do RS1 & RS2 cover the same amount of material in each level?

Thank you!

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

Hi, Michelle!

It would be my pleasure to give you a revised 'schedule' of courses. I will give it to you based on the Second Edition as I think you will find it easier (as the teacher) to use. Also, I think your daughter will find Level B (especially at the beginning) to be fairly easy...so there will be plenty of days when you can complete more than one lesson.

4th Grade (spring/summer) and 5th grade (fall) - Level B (you may finish sooner)
5th Grade (winter/spring/summer) - Level C
6th Grade (fall/winter/spring) - Level D
6th Grade (summer) & 7th Grade (fall/winter) - Level E
7th Grade (spring/summer) 8th Grade (fall) - Level F
8th Grade - (winter/spring/summer) 9th grade (fall) - Level G This is an aggressive timeline for Level G. It typically takes about 1 1/2 years to complete so some adjustments may need to take place.
9th/10th Grade - VideoText Algebra
11th/12th Grade - VideoText Geometry which includes Trigonometry and PreCalculus

Of course, as you move through the program, things may change. You may go faster or there may be times when you may not complete 'on schedule'. Feel free to email us (or repost here) and we will be happy to adjust the schedule for you.

Hang in there! With a strong foundation in math, your daughter will accomplish much!!!

Have a fabulous day!
Rachel

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

Thank you, Rachel. You have been very helpful!

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

My pleasure, Michelle!

Have a great day!
Rachel

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

Hi Rachel,

My 4th grader is moving along much faster than I thought with RS2 Level B. We are doing 2 lessons per day with a break in between for other schooling. I anticipate we’ll finish Level B much sooner that originally planned. So I was looking back to your original plan for us that begins with Level C (instead of Level B) and have a question. I just noticed that Level F was not included. Was this intentional or do we need to plan for Level F as well?

By the way, I am LOVING the 2nd Edition!! I find it so much easier to prepare for, and it’s much easier to follow! The lessons seem shorter too, which is nice, because I tend to get completely engrossed and go way too long with lessons. So these lessons help me not go too long.

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

Hi, Michelle!!!!

Great news and fabulous work!!!!! I am also thrilled that you like the Second Edition (as much as I do!!!)

In the original schedule, I did include Level F in the schedule. Here is a copy of the schedule:

4th Grade (spring/summer) and 5th grade (fall) - Level B (you may finish sooner)
5th Grade (winter/spring/summer) - Level C
6th Grade (fall/winter/spring) - Level D
6th Grade (summer) & 7th Grade (fall/winter) - Level E
7th Grade (spring/summer) 8th Grade (fall) - Level F
8th Grade - (winter/spring/summer) 9th grade (fall) - Level G This is an aggressive timeline for Level G. It typically takes about 1 1/2 years to complete so some adjustments may need to take place.
9th/10th Grade - VideoText Algebra
11th/12th Grade - VideoText Geometry which includes Trigonometry and PreCalculus

I have your daughter working through Level F in her 7th & 8th grade...although, it would seem that you are going to surpass that schedule! :-)

Let me know if you have any further questions or problems along the way!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Rachel

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

Thanks for the encouraging words, Rachel. I was dreading this catch up process but am now excited about it and relieved to have gotten the ball rolling!

Actually, you gave me two schedules. The one I am asking about is the one two comments up from the one you're thinking of. (You gave me the second schedule ~ the one in your last reply ~ after I told you she placed for Level B.) Here is your original schedule starting with Level C:

Grade 4 (summer) Grade 5 (fall) - Level C
Grade 5 (spring - summer) - Level D
Grade 6 - Level E
Grades 7 & 8 - Level G with VideoText Algebra Module A
Grades 9/10 - VideoText Algebra Modules B-F
Grades 11/12 - VideoText Geometry Modules A-F (which includes Trigonometry and PreCalculus)

I was wondering if there is a reason Level F was omitted or if it was just an oversight. I guess the bottom line is basically to just keep plugging away with the goal of being ready to begin Level G no later than 8th grade, right? Is 6th grade ideally when Level G should be started so as to have plenty of time to cover all the material before high school math begins?

Thanks for all your help!

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

Hi, Michelle!

I did give you two different schedules. The schedule without Level F was for the First Edition program. The schedule with Level F was for the Second Edition. Because you purchased the Second Edition, you will follow the Second Edition schedule (the one with the Level F included).

That being said, you need to know that there may be a time when you will move faster than the Second Edition will be released. Right now Dr. Cotter is finishing up Level C which is scheduled to be released late this summer. Level D will be released in 2015 (probably in late summer as well). If you find that your daughter continues to move quicker than we expected, you may need to consider flipping to the First Edition program/schedule. Three of my kids worked through the First Edition and did wonderfully. In fact, my oldest son is in 8th grade finishing up high school Algebra II and will be preparing to take the CLEP test in the fall of his 9th grade year. It is a solid program and your daughter will do magnificently if you do have to switch.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns!!!
Have a great week!
Rachel

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

Oh my, I hadn't thought of that. Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. That reminds me of a question I don't think you ever answered. Are the 1st & 2nd Edition the same amount of rigor, or is the 1st Ed. more rigorous than the 2nd Ed.?

Thanks, Rachel!

Re: 4th grader behind ~ start over with RS1 or RS2?

Hi, Michelle!

Both Editions have about the same 'rigor'. The Second Edition covers more math concepts per level, but is approached with much more review - so it doesn't 'feel' rigorous. The First Edition doesn't have quite as much review - so at times (depending on the student) can feel fast. There were a couple of times when I had to review a segment of lessons for a week (or more) so my kids could grasp or fully understand the concept. So, basically, I created my own 'Review Lessons'. However, both editions are thorough and will give your daughter a fabulous math education.

Let me know if you have any further questions!
Rachel