We have the privilege this year of trying out J.K. Mergens’ Learn Math Fast books.  Poor Ariel is a bit behind, because her mama spazzed and moved her into the wrong math book a couple years ago.  (We inadvertently skipped a book.)  We eventually realized and rectified the error, but it cost us some time, so we’re needing to catch up.  When I heard about the Learn Math Fast system this summer, it was convenient timing.  The author graciously agreed to send me a review set, and we’ve been using it with both Ariel (11) and Sophia (6) for a few weeks now.

The system dispenses with “busy work” and introduces concepts in a more condensed manner than many other systems.  (I find that for many subjects, the traditional method is to start introducing concepts in first grade “just because” and then one must drag it out over years because students aren’t ready for the more advanced topics yet.  Meanwhile, we “have to have” whole years’ worth of curriculum, so “filler” is added.)

Starting Out

Both girls have started at the beginning of the first book.  I expect that Sophia will take a while to get through it, because she is only in first grade, and most of the concepts in the book will be new to her.  (Right now she’s just on basic addition and subtraction, which she does know, so it’s going pretty quickly.)  Ariel, on the other hand, I expect to fly through the bulk of the first book and move into the second.  I haven’t even had her doing the worksheets with each lesson yet – she’s just reading through the lessons and taking the chapter tests.  (When she reaches a place where either she doesn’t feel she’s understanding the lessons she’s reading, or she’s missing more than one or two problems – to account for careless errors – on the tests, we’ll slow down and really dig in.)

I really like that the books are written to the student.  They’re done in a very calm and almost casual manner, so it reads as though someone were sitting there talking them through the lesson – and it’s made to sound very un-scary.  (For whatever reason, the whole idea of “math” seems to be inherently overwhelming to a lot of students.  Mine are pretty good at math and they still have a tendency to panic.)

Concrete examples are used, and the materials called for are very, very simple.  These first few lessons, for instance, have students manipulating pennies.

It is worth noting, though, that many of the later lessons – particularly when dealing with fractions – call on the student’s prior knowledge of American currency (how many quarters in a dollar, for example), and currency isn’t ever taught within the books (neither is time/clocks).  Presumably it’s assumed that these are sufficiently “life skills” sorts of knowledge that you will be teaching them to the student in a less formal context.  Just be aware that you will need to do so.

How It’s Going

Thus far, Sophia is able to complete her assignments largely on her own.  She can read them and fill out her worksheets, with oversight and direction from me, but without me sitting over her shoulder.  (I’m sure she’ll need more help as we get into more difficult topics.)

Ariel has done well with it, too, although she has struggled with her most recent lessons, which are various “tricks” for doing math in one’s head.  I suspect that’s at least partially a matter of style.  As our thought processes are all different, different “tricks” will make sense for each of us.  There is a heavy emphasis in these books on being able to quickly do the math in one’s head, which should serve the kids well as they move into higher math, where being fast at their basic facts is a benefit.

You Can Do It!

The program is also affordable.  You can get the first four books – which is everything up through pre-algebra – for $149 (on sale – regularly $179).  Algebra I and II are also available.  And once you’ve purchased the books you can log into their website to print copies of the worksheets so multiple students can use a book.

I’ll let you know later in the year how the girls are progressing and how they like these after spending some time with them!