My Top 5 Math Curriculum Picksby Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger 11 May 2007 07:43 AM As I was creating the exhausting but complete and current homeschool curriculum glossary, it dawned on my that, people might want to search by subject matter, and might be interested in what I recommend. Having spent all of that time researching curriculums, I also wanted more mileage out of that well spent time and knowledge gained. Therefore, I will spend some time presenting my top curriculum picks in each subject. AAA Math is not listed in the homeschool curriculum glossary because it is not exactly a homeschool curriculum. It is instead an online resource. I do however recommend it to anyone looking to use the internet to homeschool. If find it is a great guide and tell you what math functions your child should know at each grade level, plus provides great online instruction and math drills. AAA Math.com used to be a completely free resource, but over time, I have noticed that they are now charging for some lessons, which they will send to you in the form of a CD. I am not opposed to paying for these lessons, but parents can find other sources for these few lessons if they need to. Developmental Math, the workbook series mentioned in the homeschool curriculum glossary is a self- teaching program. I am all of for self-teaching programs. Recommended in Mary Pride's Big Book of Home Learning, this program is a foundation driven, no frills approach to math. I like it because once kids get in the middle school grades, parents regurgitation of math skills gets slower and slower (I know mine did), so having such a clear cut teaching program will help the parent remember to how to teach the function, or allow the child to take the book and run. Professor B Math is a CD Rom program that promises children will master each concept. What more can you ask for? Well, it also de-fragments math, causing it to resemble a continuous story that flows well instead of jumping around from subject so subject. Using Professor B Math, you the parent can watch the CDs together which will allow you to better instruct your children in concepts that you may need to refresh as well. Saxon Math is an excellent math program provided you are the disciplined, structured type. (Classical, and eclectic homeschoolers with a high emphasis on structure) Saxon Math is designed to be done daily without fail. You cannot take short cuts or skip around with this program or you will create holes in your child's math knowledge. When used properly, Saxon Math will progressively teach your kids new skills while helping them retain math knowledge they have already learned. Parents teaching middle school math and above will want to purchase the teachers manual as well. Teaching Textbooks is the program my kids will be using next year, and I am very excited about it. This individual approach to math, which utilizes lessons and review on DVD, is an awesome tool for individual learners. My only worry is that the kids may not need my help at all. Special mention: Times Tales is not exactly a math curriculum but a great tool to help your child learn and cement their multiplication facts. Many people have come to me asking what to do about a middle schooler having problems in math, and every time, I have traced the problem back to the child not knowing multiplication facts well. If they cannot multiply, they cannot divide, or understand fractions and decimals. Using Times Tales for just as short period will help your child get past this hurdle and propel them confidently into middle school math. *Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask. *Want to know more about homeschooling? Start with the 2006 homeschool blog in review! Learn more about Andrea Hermitt  Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children. Relevanthomeschooling tags User Comments lorisoard (10) 11 May 2007 10:08 PMTime4Learning.com offers a really great math curriculum as well. My daughters love the interactive games. They used to complain about doing their math but now they are excited. I can also reward them when they work hard by allowing them time at the "playground". They think this is goof off time, but they are actually playing educational games and learning while they are on the "playground". The site also offers language arts, science and social studies. It is very reasonable--less than the cost of a fast food meal out four our family. I love it so much that I try to tell other parents whenever I can. As a working (albeit from home) mom, my time is a premium and I like that everything is planned out for me at Time4Learning and all I have to do is see where the arrow points next, track their progress via the easy reports, and remind them that it's time. Easy as pi (and yes, that was a math pun).  Andrea Hermitt (5512) 12 May 2007 09:03 AMI have to agree, especially since it is Time4learning that got us to this point in my kids education. When I review my top 5 complete curriculums, you better believe it will be at the top of my list. lorisoard (10) 12 May 2007 11:50 AMAndrea, I find that the playground time is just as beneficial too, don't you? My kids get so much out of those educational games. Warmly, Lori Soard Andrea Hermitt (5512) 12 May 2007 03:01 PMMy kids started using it in 2nd and 4th grade and used it through 6th grade. They never really got into the playground, but in the earlier years thought the curriculum was like playing!  Julie Gentry (5915) 18 May 2007 12:22 AMWe love Saxon math. My son actually thinks Algebra is fun. (Something must be wrong with him! lol) Andrea Hermitt (5512) 18 May 2007 05:28 AMI thought algebra was fun when I was taking it too! I was certainly a strange bird!  Valorie Delp (49340) 19 May 2007 06:03 AMMaybe not everyone can do this. . .be we skip around Saxon (we don't do lessons out of order but neither do we follow the scripted lesson plans) and have no problems with it. Many people don't like Saxon bc it is seen as 'rigid' but it doesn't really have to be. ;-) Andrea Hermitt (5512) 19 May 2007 06:32 AMVal, curious, when you skip around in Saxon, do you not do the practice questions as you may not have covered all the material on them? My son worked with a tutor a couple of years ago who skipped around Saxon, it was a mess. A guest blog on Saxon would be great! I'd really like to know more about it, especially since so many people love it. Valorie Delp (49340) 19 May 2007 08:48 AMHmmm. . .is that a hint? One guest blog on Saxon (and aren't I supposed to guest on something else too?--I'm a big sleepy mess.) coming up! I should say this though: I have had YEARS of teaching Saxon in the classroom before I started homeschooling. We used it in remedial math during summer school as well as in the classroom. But the short answer to your questions is--I almost always do the practice questions. ;-) Going to go eat lunch and work on Saxon guest blog.  Pam Connell |
Homeschool categories |
