Lately, I’ve been considering changing our math curriculum, and I thought I’d ask all of you. If you homeschool, what math curriculum do you use? What do you like about it? What do you see as the drawbacks, if any? I’m looking forward to seeing what you all think!
Math Curriculum Survey23 comments to Math Curriculum Survey |
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We used to use the math module in Switched on Schoolhouse (our main homeschool curriculum) but recently switched to Teaching Textbooks, which we like a lot better and that the kids have responsed very favorably to. We have made substantial progress since moving to Teaching Textbooks.
We do love Singapore Math and Teaching Textbooks. SM really focuses strongly on comprehension, and has wonderfully creative word problems. TT Can be done totally independently, which is nice if mom has lots of other responsibilities. TT is pricey, but you can resell it for almost as much as you paid.
Have you checked out the reviews at Homeschoolreviews.com or cathyduffyreviews.com ? I always look there when I’m considering something new.
Good luck!
We use Making Mathing Meaningful up to 6th and then switch to TT Pre-Algebra. MMM has a student book and a tm until level 5 when the student is working more independently. Overall it is inexpensive and uses manipulatives from around the house (a few need to be bought but can be found easily). I havent had any problems with the transition over to TT.
I graduated from homeschooling a good (almost) four years ago. My dad was a high school teacher part of the time, and he and my mother choose Miquon Math through the beginning years and then Saxon math through later elementary/middle school and some high school.
I do have to say that there’s a trend among homeschool grads to burn their Saxon books, but I suppose it gets the job done.
When the kids were little, we used: Calculadders, (for drill and practice), and Miquon Math for teaching the concepts. Also, there is a computer program that we used for more practice: Quarter Mile Math. The approach was very casual until the Saxon 6/7 level. Once they hit that level, we used the traditional Saxon workbook, tests, etc. In highschool we use Saxon up through “Advanced Math” and then to community college for pre-calc.
I have heard that kids who struggle with math do not like Saxon. Our kids never had a problem with it. (just my two cents)
We also use Making Math Meaningful. Though our oldest is only in 2nd grade, so we haven’t been doing it all that long. We like that, from the beginning, it’s real-life, word problem oriented. Our kids are really learning the math concepts, not just symbols in a vacuum.
We are looking into the “Life of Fred” books. Here is a link to a review about them.
http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/reviews/review_life_of_fred_math.html
In our family the children love to read and this seems like it may work into our family culture nicely. Learning from someone who is excited about the subject helps to make the learning stick better. And the books are not really expensive and can be used by many children. Pluses in our large family.
I would love to hear what you end up deciding to use.
God Bless,
Sherry
We’re using Saxon.
Cons – it’s not colorful or very visually appealing, and it has way more work than most kids need to do to grasp the concepts.
Pros – it’s very systematic and orderly (line upon line, precept upon precept), and very “re-usable”. We just don’t do every single problem. Sometimes I look through the lesson ahead and choose what I think they need to do, or I’ll just tell them “odds or evens” ;D
Thought about switching to Teaching Textbooks, which some of our friends use, because they look more “fun” and interesting, but their kids are having trouble passing the math test at the community college. TT may still be a great thing to use, but maybe it’s running a little “low”? Just something to be aware of.
As we head into Algebra and Geometry we’re switching over to Jacobs… but your kids are younger, right? So that may be way out there
You might also look for a copy of “Family Math” – I found a used one for a couple bucks. Lots of games that teach specific math concepts, but fun!
Julie
I have used Caluladdars from the start and use those to kind of grade the comprehension curriculums. I have used Abeka (Ok for early years. bad for uppers), Saxon (dc HATED it and it took more than an hour per lesson), and rays (ehh). we now use Math-U-See. I like that i can use it independently (I know it wasn’t designed that way but the videos that are supposed to teach mom how to teach the concept are all my dc usually need to do the lesson. I don’t watch them) and dc “get” it. It does feel like it isn’t nearly enough work or instruction, but as soon as we started it they began to zip through their calcualaddars levels at top speed. They are still going strong. My 18yo sould probably still be working on algebra if i had left her in abeka but she finished algebra and stewardship ages ago. my 10yo just started pre-algebra (!) and is doing great, understanding the whole thing. It works for us.
This isn’t a whole curriculum but thought I’d throw it out there anyway. One week at the library my son picked up a copy of Addison-Wesley’s “Math-a-pedia”, a visual mathematical reference for primary students. It’s full of fun visuals that provide a tangible reference for many early mathematical concepts. My son (who has a natural passion for numbers) enjoys simply turning through the pages on his own. I found a used copy online for a couple dollars so we have our own now.
We used Modern Curriculum Press(until seventh grade) then Saxon(only the odd problems- the answers are in back of the book)- both through Christian Liberty Press. For high school we used Landmark Freedom Baptist(good catalog)- algebra and geometry. -Taryn
We used Saxon Math beginning with 5/4 and continued through Algebra and Calculus. We purchased the full home school kits with solution manuals.
There was a lot of repetition and it was not glossy or fancy. There were times when we would just skip problems or just do odds and evens. But I was very pleased with it.
We have a 2nd grade boy. I used Singapore last year and ds and I grew to hate it! It started out okay, but became very confusing as it went along. I did not feel that it was presenting concepts in a logical manner. I asked my mother, a former public school math teacher, to look at it, and she didn’t like the sequence, either. For this year, I considered Math Mammoth (check out the website). I almost ordered it, and then decided to just get a Spectrum workbook to start with and see how it goes. I think I may have to supplement as we go along, but we’ll see. I may end up going to Math Mammoth in the end. I also had my mom look at that, and she thought it would be good.
For the elementary-8th grade years, we’ve used Rod and Staff.
Pros: sequential, skill-based, economical, durable hard-cover textbooks, biblical wordlview in story problems (and not only a biblical worldview, but girls are subtly encouraged to be homemakers, etc. We get into that sort of thing), thorough. Also, you don’t have to buy the textbook PLUS a lot of other accessories to make the program work. The teacher’s guide is really helpful as well.
Cons: none from my(the mom who’s administering it)side, really. It’s steady and thorough and will be alot of work for someone who doesn’t like a disciplined approach. I’ve found time and again, though, that if there is a stretch of difficult, complicated lessons (and these have enough preparation so you aren’t caught off guard), there’s mercy. I love pointing this out to my children. The texts aren’t in color, which might be a con for some, but isn’t for us.
For high school (Algebra, Geometry, etc) we’re using Video Text Interactive.
Pros: DVD based for our visual learners; workbook based so that you can use it for more than one student at a time; there’s a help line available that you can call (we haven’t used it yet, but might need to in the future);it expounds on the “why” which is an approach that seems to help our learners; we met the vendor at a booth during our homeschool convention, and had quite a good chat–it’s always a nice benefit to communicate with the author of your curriculum!
Cons: The price is higher, but we feel it’s still right. It doesn’t solve the basic struggle we have with math as a subject, but no curriculum will actually do that.
It’s always interesting to hear what others use and to find we pick different series for the same reasons:). Trust you will find what will work for you!
Krista
I LOVE Teaching Textbooks. We used Saxon for years and really struggled when we got to Algebra and above – it just made math miserable for all my children. Then we discovered Teaching Textbooks and everyone actually likes math (ok – the one who most hated math, now just finds it mildly annoying…..) and they are all learning from it! Plus, it is so easy on Mom, especially when it keeps the grades for you! I cannot see every changing from this great product!
We have used Making Math Meaningful & Math U See in the younger years, both have been okay, but Ireland still detested math. This year we just starting Teaching Textbooks and she is LOVING it! It is no longer a drudge for her to do math, even as she is learning new concepts that might be more difficult, she is not complaining or ending up in tears. I love that with each problem if you do not get it correct, it does not just show you the answer, but it works the complete problem out for you to teach you how to do it correctly. I cannot say enough good things about it. I do not think I would use this for the younger years, mainly due to the cost and the fact I feel more comfortable teaching the basics myself. But once it gets a bit more difficult to teach (she is doing Math 6 this year), I think it is great. You can check out their website and look at previews, take placement tests and all. LOVE IT!
We use Horizons. We really love it. I pray about it every year and the Lord keeps providing it for us in a way to show this is what He wants for us.
One less vote for Saxon here! I struggled with math throughout school and this particular curriculum didn’t help a bit.
We have tried Saxon and Horizon’s both are taught in a similar way and we haven’t found either very helpful. This year we switched to Math U See and all of the children love it. There is a DVD with the lesson and my children watch it. The instructor, Mr. Demme, has a wonderful way of explaining math. Each child, my 19 year old dd, and I have all had light bulb moments. You know, when the light bulb comes on and you say, “Oh, I get it! That’s why you do that.” We all love it and everyone is hoping for the first time in math that mommy never changes!
My mom used Abeka Math when home schooling my sisters and I, and we loved it. Personally, I’m not much of a Math person. It’s not my strong point and I have never really enjoyed it … except when using Abeka. It was well laid out, easy to understand, and full of helpful examples. Loved it!
I’m looking for a new one as well. I will definitely NOT recommned switched on schoolhouse. We have found it to be VERY frustrating. Not the math, just navigating the program. Some of the ways the questions are put in the assignments is very confusing trying to figure out HOW they want you to answer. AND, I have frequently found mistakes in the lessons/assignments.
I’ve looked at Saxon because that’s what it seems everyone recommends, but looking through the books, I’M confused. A Beka has looked promising to me, but my husband really wants to look seriously at Teaching Textbooks… I’m a little hesitant to use another computer program after my bad experience with SOS.
Anyone who has used Teaching Textbooks, is the program free of ‘glitches’? Is it clear and consistent how you are to answer the questions? I want my kids to learn MATH, not how to navigate a confusing program.
Andrea,
I’m a little late on this discussion, but having tried just about everything, we have found Math U See to be wonderful. I can use it all the way through High School. I love the format that teaches one concept at a time and then reinforces it. Let me know if you want more information.
We use Rod and Staff and love it. I love how it’s overtly christian- and why not indeed?I also love the practical examples and it moves at a good steady but not too fast pace. You don’t have to do all the review exercises at the end of each lesson. In Australia you can get an ozzie edition from LEM for the money etc which can be used in New Zealand too.(ps I used to be a primary/elementary teacher for 6 years from grades 4-8)