We have used it for 3 years now and like it alot. My kids are all in the elementary level maths right now. When they get to the upper maths we will most likely change to teaching textbooks. I like that they have constant review and that there is a disk to help with the lessons. They have extra pages to print out for most of the lessons on their site if you need more practice before moving on too. We have looked at other maths but this has been exactly what we were needing and seems to be working for my kids.
We have used it for first and second grade (which is where my oldest is). We just love it. I'm horrible at math and to even attempt to explain the simple concepts scares the life out of me. I like that I can put the video on for him and he gets much better instruction that way.
We have used the primer through Zeta. We LOVED it early on. Now, my ds13 tolerates it. I think his reaction to math would be much worse with most other programs. We don't utilize the manipulatives at this level, although they are still available to use. My son likes it because there aren't too many problems in each day's work. He was overwhelmed with the busy work on pages in other programs, even though I didn't require him to do all of them. In the elementary levels, MUS explains things in a way that is easy to understand and the progression is natural. I like how the student masters an area before moving on to something else. I also love the built in review. We plan on sticking with it unless something else falls in my lap that screams "buy me!!!".
My dd has used it for two years High school levels, I asked her what her thoughts are on it she said "Yeah" or "YA" She really likes it! Hates SOS at high school level though and this is what she is doing along with MUS, if it were nto for the MUS she would not make it through the SOS, it explains it well! MUS IS a stand alone, but her private school is pushing it with both tryint to help the kids understand.
We have used it for years but this will be our last. It worked really well for my oldest dd but she is back in school now. Primer worked well for my youngest dd but now that she is in Alpha we don't like it. This "new" math stuff she just doesn't get at all so I end up explaining it all my old way I learned and we just use the workbook. I'll just be going to Sam's and getting a cheap book for 2nd grade. We may go back to MUS when she gets a lot older but not sure about that.
We are "using" alpha right now. In January we will be switching to something different. I might just go to Sams as well. My son hates the blocks, I do not like that it is just memorizing facts the whole year, with a few other things mixed in. There doesn't seem to be anything advanced at all with MUS. My son does well with math, but he doesn't memorize things quickly. So we have been working on the early addition facts and working ahead in the other areas. Pretty much we are not using the book at all. I thought that I would like the DVD, and the blocks most of all. But my son doesn't seem to get anything out of watching the DVD with me, and especially in alpha I can teach how to add without the extra help. In a nut shell my complaints are that it moves very slow, and requires the memorization of each set of additon facts before moving on. So with my slow memorizing son if he took a month to learn each set it would take like 30+ months to finish the alpha level. The blocks are not a helpful tool for my son. He hates them and ask that we don't use them. The dvd's are handy, but not needed this early for us. It is also pricey for us. I have looked at the workbooks at sams, Singapore, and Christian Liberty Press' light units. I plan on making a purchase right after Christmas for something new.
