Archi-Math Bulgarian Math

[KrisTom]

Has anyone looked into this math? It is an integrated math. I'm not sure if once you complete, say levels 6-8, if you'd have completed the content of an algebra I course? It looks interesting, but there isn't a whole lot of information about it.

https://archi-math.com/

[bean]

Just glancing at it, it looks like a supplement, not a full program.
If you want an integrated program have you looked at MEP? Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching - Mathematics Enhancement Programme (cimt.org.uk)

[KrisTom]

Just glancing at it, it looks like a supplement, not a full program.
If you want an integrated program have you looked at MEP? Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching - Mathematics Enhancement Programme (cimt.org.uk)

Hi Bean! Thank you for taking a look. I believe the publishers intend for it to be a complete program. There are two sets of books for each semester, so four total for the entire grade level. They are developing grade 10, and the program is meant to be an extension from K-5. The main author is a professor at UC Berkeley and founded the Berkeley Math Circles. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to touch base with anyone from the curriculum---the main founder is extremely busy.

My main concern is if my son didn't finish the sequence and returned to a brick and mortar school, where would he be placed in math? None of our local schools have integrated math yet. Some high school integrated maths might say you'd earn 1/2 a credit in algebra and 1/2 a credit in geometry, etc. I know with Singapore Dimensions, a child would have completed the content you'd find in Algebra I by completion of level 8. But I just prefer the look of this curriculum to Singapore, but Singapore does have a teacher's manual, which is something I like.

At any rate, I am not happy with our Master Books curriculum. There is little help for the parent, and I've been disappointed by it. I am going to look at your resource for math. Maybe I will learn something more about this approach to math!

[Mom2mthj]

I meant to respond sooner, but my kids had a swim meet this weekend and my husband had the iPad. I have not heard of this curriculum before, but I have heard in the past of Russian math. It too was meant to continue, but stopped after one book. I checked out the website and I agree with bean that this looks like a supplement rather than a viable complete curriculum. I get that Masterbooks isn’t working, but this program does not appear to even have solutions let alone any teacher help. It is likely harder, but with no additional help. I can do the math, but no solutions would be a no for a full curriculum because I don’t always want to have to work out each problem myself to check my student’s work. The website states that text it is a tool for the competent teacher - presumably as a sequence of topics and problem sets from a curriculum that approaches topics in a different order, but that it does need a teacher. Most of the comments on the two page lessons seem to be a slightly unstated critique of many current common core programs that have no textbook. She states that this curriculum has “nothing to hide” - hence the two page lesson in a book that stays at home that give the general content of the lesson.

As you stated the US author (the books apparently come from Bulgaria) is a professor at UC Berkeley.. She is the one translating and adapting them for the US market. The general impression from the website was that it could have used a once over on the editing front. That makes me concerned about editing in the actual books. I think one of the bigger takeaways from her blog is that she thinks that the Bulgarian incorporation of geometry along with algebra, not just one year and done, makes for better math students. She also advocates for what she calls “algebra with numbers” in elementary school. Both of these are incorporated in Right Start - my third grader and I talk about equations without talking about variables. Their middle school levels incorporate geometry and constructions on the drawing board for their “pre-algebra” levels. They cover quite a bit of geometry in a hands on, non-proof way while simultaneously practicing arithmetic skills. My son currently in algebra was the first to go all the way through and he beyond loved the program. He took their classes for levels G and H during covid so that might have been part of it since it involved people. Algebra is going very well this year (except for his disappearing negative signs from time to time). I do need to work on keeping the geometry fresh - these books could be an option for that.

I never tried MEP, but I agree with Bean that it looks good and it seems to follow a similar philosophy as the Bulgarian books. I think the separate geometry year is a particularly American phenomenon. It is completely free if you download the files, but I believe you can also buy workbooks if you don’t want to print. I have seen it recommended from Ambleside online (Charlotte Mason) as well as in other more mathy circles. I probably would have used it, but I love right start for elementary. As for jumping into Singapore before algebra, I tried that with my oldest when my daughter was in 5th and I don’t recommend that route. Singapore has a unique way of drawing diagrams that started earlier than 5B (maybe level 3) that I never caught onto and I just started teaching her algebra as that was the only way I could explain how to solve the problems. I never heard positive reviews of Singapore for algebra and beyond (I think it was called New Elementary Math) mostly because of a lack of teacher material and solutions. I think the Singapore Dimensions you referenced are a new version of the elementary Singapore books - I think most people I know that use Singapore are referring to the Primary Math series either standard or US version. Those have two levels per year and end with 6B at which point you transition into algebra.

Hope some of this helps…as for transitioning into brick and mortar high school my feeling is we never know what the future will hold. I try for a good plan for our homeschool and if at some point my students need or want to go to school the credit accounting can be figured out as long as they have a strong foundation and a strong advocate.

[KrisTom]

I meant to respond sooner, but my kids had a swim meet this weekend and my husband had the iPad. I have not heard of this curriculum before, but I have heard in the past of Russian math. It too was meant to continue, but stopped after one book. I checked out the website and I agree with bean that this looks like a supplement rather than a viable complete curriculum. I get that Masterbooks isn’t working, but this program does not appear to even have solutions let alone any teacher help. It is likely harder, but with no additional help. I can do the math, but no solutions would be a no for a full curriculum because I don’t always want to have to work out each problem myself to check my student’s work. The website states that text it is a tool for the competent teacher - presumably as a sequence of topics and problem sets from a curriculum that approaches topics in a different order, but that it does need a teacher. Most of the comments on the two page lessons seem to be a slightly unstated critique of many current common core programs that have no textbook. She states that this curriculum has “nothing to hide” - hence the two page lesson in a book that stays at home that give the general content of the lesson.

As you stated the US author (the books apparently come from Bulgaria) is a professor at UC Berkeley.. She is the one translating and adapting them for the US market. The general impression from the website was that it could have used a once over on the editing front. That makes me concerned about editing in the actual books. I think one of the bigger takeaways from her blog is that she thinks that the Bulgarian incorporation of geometry along with algebra, not just one year and done, makes for better math students. She also advocates for what she calls “algebra with numbers” in elementary school. Both of these are incorporated in Right Start - my third grader and I talk about equations without talking about variables. Their middle school levels incorporate geometry and constructions on the drawing board for their “pre-algebra” levels. They cover quite a bit of geometry in a hands on, non-proof way while simultaneously practicing arithmetic skills. My son currently in algebra was the first to go all the way through and he beyond loved the program. He took their classes for levels G and H during covid so that might have been part of it since it involved people. Algebra is going very well this year (except for his disappearing negative signs from time to time). I do need to work on keeping the geometry fresh - these books could be an option for that.

I never tried MEP, but I agree with Bean that it looks good and it seems to follow a similar philosophy as the Bulgarian books. I think the separate geometry year is a particularly American phenomenon. It is completely free if you download the files, but I believe you can also buy workbooks if you don’t want to print. I have seen it recommended from Ambleside online (Charlotte Mason) as well as in other more mathy circles. I probably would have used it, but I love right start for elementary. As for jumping into Singapore before algebra, I tried that with my oldest when my daughter was in 5th and I don’t recommend that route. Singapore has a unique way of drawing diagrams that started earlier than 5B (maybe level 3) that I never caught onto and I just started teaching her algebra as that was the only way I could explain how to solve the problems. I never heard positive reviews of Singapore for algebra and beyond (I think it was called New Elementary Math) mostly because of a lack of teacher material and solutions. I think the Singapore Dimensions you referenced are a new version of the elementary Singapore books - I think most people I know that use Singapore are referring to the Primary Math series either standard or US version. Those have two levels per year and end with 6B at which point you transition into algebra.

Hope some of this helps…as for transitioning into brick and mortar high school my feeling is we never know what the future will hold. I try for a good plan for our homeschool and if at some point my students need or want to go to school the credit accounting can be figured out as long as they have a strong foundation and a strong advocate.

Hi Dorinda,

Thank you so much for also taking a look at this! I really appreciate it. In the table of contents for the textbooks, it does show an answer section. I would not want to have to work them out, either! On a Facebook advertisement, the company had responded to a homeschooler and explained it could be used that way but that there was of course no way to compare it to traditional levels of math. I usually shy away from anything that says "common core," lol. But this approach fascinated me! I, too, saw at least one "typo" on the website. Singapore intrigues me, but I have also seen that it is hard to transition into for middle school. You're right about homeschooling, as sometimes we just cannot foresee the future. I have briefly looked at Right Start, but maybe I should take another look. I also took some time to look at MEP. It looks like I'd have to order from the UK?

Of course, there is the other plan. I thought BJU looked great for a traditional path in terms of teacher support through manuals. One of my concerns is making the transition to algebra at a younger age. He can do challenging arithmetic, but I wasn't sure he had the maturity to be ready for algebra in the next year or two. Master Books... well, I am having to highlight his pages to help me teach him. It is student directed, but I found some concepts were just interjected in weird places. Maybe I should just really hone in on curriculums with teacher manuals. That has been my issue--sometimes it helps me to have suggestions on what to say to my child!

[KrisTom]

I meant to respond sooner, but my kids had a swim meet this weekend and my husband had the iPad. I have not heard of this curriculum before, but I have heard in the past of Russian math. It too was meant to continue, but stopped after one book. I checked out the website and I agree with bean that this looks like a supplement rather than a viable complete curriculum. I get that Masterbooks isn’t working, but this program does not appear to even have solutions let alone any teacher help. It is likely harder, but with no additional help. I can do the math, but no solutions would be a no for a full curriculum because I don’t always want to have to work out each problem myself to check my student’s work. The website states that text it is a tool for the competent teacher - presumably as a sequence of topics and problem sets from a curriculum that approaches topics in a different order, but that it does need a teacher. Most of the comments on the two page lessons seem to be a slightly unstated critique of many current common core programs that have no textbook. She states that this curriculum has “nothing to hide” - hence the two page lesson in a book that stays at home that give the general content of the lesson.

As you stated the US author (the books apparently come from Bulgaria) is a professor at UC Berkeley.. She is the one translating and adapting them for the US market. The general impression from the website was that it could have used a once over on the editing front. That makes me concerned about editing in the actual books. I think one of the bigger takeaways from her blog is that she thinks that the Bulgarian incorporation of geometry along with algebra, not just one year and done, makes for better math students. She also advocates for what she calls “algebra with numbers” in elementary school. Both of these are incorporated in Right Start - my third grader and I talk about equations without talking about variables. Their middle school levels incorporate geometry and constructions on the drawing board for their “pre-algebra” levels. They cover quite a bit of geometry in a hands on, non-proof way while simultaneously practicing arithmetic skills. My son currently in algebra was the first to go all the way through and he beyond loved the program. He took their classes for levels G and H during covid so that might have been part of it since it involved people. Algebra is going very well this year (except for his disappearing negative signs from time to time). I do need to work on keeping the geometry fresh - these books could be an option for that.

I never tried MEP, but I agree with Bean that it looks good and it seems to follow a similar philosophy as the Bulgarian books. I think the separate geometry year is a particularly American phenomenon. It is completely free if you download the files, but I believe you can also buy workbooks if you don’t want to print. I have seen it recommended from Ambleside online (Charlotte Mason) as well as in other more mathy circles. I probably would have used it, but I love right start for elementary. As for jumping into Singapore before algebra, I tried that with my oldest when my daughter was in 5th and I don’t recommend that route. Singapore has a unique way of drawing diagrams that started earlier than 5B (maybe level 3) that I never caught onto and I just started teaching her algebra as that was the only way I could explain how to solve the problems. I never heard positive reviews of Singapore for algebra and beyond (I think it was called New Elementary Math) mostly because of a lack of teacher material and solutions. I think the Singapore Dimensions you referenced are a new version of the elementary Singapore books - I think most people I know that use Singapore are referring to the Primary Math series either standard or US version. Those have two levels per year and end with 6B at which point you transition into algebra.

Hope some of this helps…as for transitioning into brick and mortar high school my feeling is we never know what the future will hold. I try for a good plan for our homeschool and if at some point my students need or want to go to school the credit accounting can be figured out as long as they have a strong foundation and a strong advocate.

Ok, adding to my last... I don't think I understood how to navigate the Right Start math site when I last looked, but now that I am looking at middle school math, it looks pretty cool! I could see feeling a little sad needing to move onto high school math. lol

[bean]

MEP math can be printed, for free, from the website I linked. I do think if you want to order it, it is from the UK. I think that using MEP or another integrated program is a great idea if you get to algebra too early. I suggest "backing up" a year since the thinking is different and it gives your dc time to mature.

We used Singapore and liked it, but we started at the beginning. There are going to be very few people who have used the newest series for middle school. It's just so new and most of us who started with the old series transitioned out at 6th grade.

I sense some math floundering here. If you need support, definitely go with a math where you can get help and support easily. Like Dorinda said don't underestimate the need for solutions. And don't be afraid to place a year lower when you switch. It will save you time later.

[KrisTom]

MEP math can be printed, for free, from the website I linked. I do think if you want to order it, it is from the UK. I think that using MEP or another integrated program is a great idea if you get to algebra too early. I suggest "backing up" a year since the thinking is different and it gives your dc time to mature.

We used Singapore and liked it, but we started at the beginning. There are going to be very few people who have used the newest series for middle school. It's just so new and most of us who started with the old series transitioned out at 6th grade.

I sense some math floundering here. If you need support, definitely go with a math where you can get help and support easily. Like Dorinda said don't underestimate the need for solutions. And don't be afraid to place a year lower when you switch. It will save you time later.

Thank you very much. And I agree about the "getting there too early." I think one of these challenging programs might help. I also have to think about my other children and what to do. Thank you for all of your help and information!