Math-U-See Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Multiplication with a Bridge to Division Review
I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.
The product I'm sharing today has a long name, but it has the potential to shorten up the time your child needs to master their multiplication facts. As a homeschooler, times tables has always been a bit of a low point in our education; some kids get them -- some don't. That's why sharing about Math-U-See and their Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Multiplication with a Bridge to Division program is so exciting for me. Read on to see what it's all about and how it could work for your family!
What is Math-U-See?
Math-U-See is a curriculum provider and publisher or math products that we've been using in our family for years. We appreciate a lot about the program, mainly that it's designed for parents who have no idea how to teach math. Math-U-See can be used in all grades Pre-K through 12th, and they can be picked up at any time, if you're new to the programs.
What is Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Multiplication with a Bridge to Division?
Think of this product offering as a special program you can use when your child should know their multiplication facts but are struggling to commit them to memory or confuse them or even know some but not all. It's called a "bridge" because it is what's needed to push your child confidently toward where they need to be to accept division.
How do you get started?
The package guides you through everything. Here are the steps:
1. When you go do the initial website, you'll see a tour and videos to watch. Take the tour.
2. Go through the first AIM for Success video on the website in full.
3. Complete the Before-AIM Assessment in the Resource Guide (teacher physical guide) with your child. More on that:
What's pretty great about this program is that you can do a diagnostic test at the beginning that will let you know where your child is in their learning gaps. It involves sitting down and calmly asking them if they know certain math facts. You stress at the beginning that it's OK if they don't know an answer, and children are encouraged not to guess. If they say "I don't know" or hesitate for more than a few seconds, you know that they aren't confident with that fact, and you circle on your diagnostic tool page.
It's fairly obvious from this initial exercise what they can get from the program. Knowing is a big part of helping your child overcome their math obstacles.
Help for parents and teachers
You'll notice right away, in that first AIM for Success video that there is a wonderful teaching expert there explaining everything you'll need to do with your child. She goes through the steps for teaching, reviewing, and testing. Even if you've never taught before, you'll get it!
From the beginning, you'll have videos you watch before each lesson, along with videos that the student watches. There will also be a page for each lesson that guides you through what to say and do with your child. Nothing is left to chance, and you don't have to "guess" how to teach.
What's included in the package?
Here's the great part. If you have internet access and a printer, you don't need anything added to do this program. Even if you are new to the Math-U-See program, you'll be set. Note that Math-U-See uses their own type of blocks or math manipulatives that can be an investment when getting started with their courses. This bridge program comes with enough blocks to see your student through the course, and it also gives parents and teachers a taste of what the rest of the course could provide your student.
This course includes:
- Access to digital materials, which include lesson videos, instruction, parent helps, answers, and printable resources for extra practice
- Fact check cards
- Math facts strategy posters
- Teacher guide / Resource guide with lesson plans and outlines
- Blocks
How can you use this with your student?
It's important to know that this program can be used at any age where you want times tables help. That means it can be used with a 10-year-old or a 16-year-old. Even adults can benefit, if they need help. You shouldn't use this as your child's first multiplication experience, however, as it isn't a comprehensive math curriculum. (You would want your child to go through the typical learning patterns and understand the why and how of multiplication first.)
However, since it's such a common problem for kids to get stuck and not really learn their math facts, this is a useful and effective tool to help you through.
What would a typical day look like?
We did one section of each lesson a day. So, for Lesson 2, we did section A on Monday, B on Tuesday, etc. Each section takes about 15 minutes, including watching the video on that first section, doing the printable exercises, and drills. Note that your student may be ready to move on right away. The program does allow you to do more than one section in a day but recommends you leave two hours between learning periods. (Breaks are important to retaining and keeping your student engaged.)
The first lesson won't have all of the sections, but generally, they worked like this:
Section A: Present Lesson Instruction (watch video and explain concepts)
Section B: Demonstrate Understanding (have your child "teach back" and complete the Build, Write, Say activities)
Section C: Transition Math Facts to Visual Memory (have your child Draw, Write, and Say)
Section D: Assess for Mastery (quiz your child on what they learned)
It's possible to get through all ten lessons within a month or two. If you want to pause your regular math program while you do this program, it may help your child to focus better. I wouldn't recommend having them continue to do math work that requires these multiplication skills until they finish the program, but I understand that's not always an option.
When your child finishes the program, they should be all set with their multiplication facts! What a relief!
Review summary
Struggling to remember multiplication facts is a common issue for many kids. The Math-U-See Accelerated Individualized Mastery (AIM) for Multiplication with a Bridge to Division takes all of the guesswork away and leaves parents and students with a concrete, actionable plan for learning and moving forward. This program is ideal for anyone who wants to tackle the math facts issue head-on with professional-level guidance that has been translated and planned out for parents with no formal math or teaching training. This program does what it intends and does it very well.
Learn more:
You can see more about this program at the Math-U-See website or follow them on social here:
Comments
Post a Comment