Math curricula

People often ask me what curricula we use in our homeschooling. Well, we’re eclectic, mainly because I keep changing my mind about things. But here are my current top picks for math, in no particular order. Please keep in mind that each child’s learning style (and parent’s teaching style) is different, so some may love these math programs and some may not.

Rod & Staff

• Grades used: 1 – 3, 6
• Pretty basic, traditional textbook. Student book(s) and Teacher book(s) with answers included. The teacher’s book also includes sort of a “script” for teaching the course in a classroom. I don’t use the “script,” but I do scan through it to see if there’s anything I can use when teaching my kids.
• What I like: Traditional, drills the facts. Rod & Staff also provides free samples of their graded curriculum.
• What I work around: LOTS of drills and review–I just assign fewer problems (e.g., I’ll assign even or odd, or even just a smattering of problems, depending on how well my child “gets” it).
• Where to order: I order directly from Rod & Staff (1.606.522.4348). You can also order the free samples by calling that number. There are also a couple of online stores that sell Rod & Staff curriculum, and one of them provides the samples online.
• Aside: Rod & Staff is a Mennonite company. I don’t find it to be preachy (but then, I don’t mind preachy), but if you don’t want your child solving problems about Brother So-and-so reading Bible books and the like, this may not be the curriculum for you.

Primary Mathematics (a.k.a. “Singapore Math”)

• Grades used: Pre – 4B
• This is the math program that used to be taught in Singapore, where test scores were very high. The program has now been updated in Singapore, but many homeschoolers still use Primary Mathematics, which has also been updated for U.S. audiences (to include English-based weights and measures, as well as U.S. money).
• What I like: Very inexpensive, helps the child understand concepts.
• What I work around: Lack of explanations (they use pictures and thought bubbles), lack of drills (although, if you get a home educator’s guide, it includes answers to all problems in the textbook and workbook, and it includes teaching tips, drills, and mental math).
• Where to order: I usually order through Singapore Math (they have samples online, and they also have a forum if you have questions on any of their curricula). You can also find this through Rainbow Resource Center or Sonlight.
• Aside: These books (U.S. Edition) use some Singaporean first names, as well as fruits you would find in Singapore. I think it’s cool, but I really should find a pronunciation guide for those names.

Teaching Textbooks

• Grades used: 7, Pre-Algebra (goes from grades 4 through Calculus)
• This is a computer-based course that comes with a textbook and DVDs.
• What I like: It’s almost completely self-study (I’ve only needed to help a couple of times; the solutions CD is very helpful if the student has questions), there’s self-checking, and in some levels there’s automatic grading.
• What I work around: Some people think this curriculum is below grade level. That doesn’t bother me; the benefits are worth it.
• Where to order: I order directly through Teaching Textbooks (they provide samples of both textbook and CD content, as well as placement tests). You can also find it through Timberdoodle.

Life of Fred

• Grades used: I haven’t used this one yet, but it looks intriguing. It’s aimed at grades 5-12.
• This is an unconventional, narrative-based curriculum that’s about, well, the life of Fred, a young (5-6 year-old) boy who encounters various mathematical adventures. My kids are voracious readers and I think they’ll enjoy the humor in this series.
• What I like: It’s relatively inexpensive and it uses humor to teach the subject, but it doesn’t dumb down the subject.
• What I work around: Well, as mentioned above, I haven’t actually used this yet. When our budget allows, I’m going to use it as a supplement. We’ll see how that goes.
• Where to order: I’m going to order it directly through Stanley Schmidt’s site (which also provides samples), which actually uses a separate vendor that provides free shipping. You can also find this through Rainbow Resource Center.