7th grade math curriculum?

Question

I have never liked math and never found a good math program ether. I have tried saxon and while it was OK for a while after a while it got to be terrible. I would like something that actually tries a LITTLE bit to be fun or at least interesting. Something that explains concepts well, and something that I will look forward to.

I was also wondering if anyone had some reviews or opinions of the 7th grade math version of

switched on schoolhouse,

Lifepac,

or Math detective.

Answer 1

I was home schooled and used Saxon for some time and consequently hated math.  Once I got a different program (Bob Jones) though  I really enjoyed math.  I would also suggest taking the higher maths at a community college that way there are knowledgeable people (not to say home school parents aren't knowledgeable) teaching it and you get college credit.

Answer 2

My favorite is Teaching Textbooks. It's kind of expensive, but it can be used over and over again. It is computer based; written and taught by two math wiz brothers (one of whom graduated from Harvard I believe), who taught and tutored math for years. They teach with an audio/visual method that is very effective. The 5th through 7th grade curricula allows the student to watch the lesson on the computer--many times if necessary, and then work the problems on the computer with immediate feedback. He can choose to watch any solution whether he has missed the problem or not. He can also watch the lesson on the computer and then work the problems in the book, but then you'd have to grade the lesson maunually. If you're on the go, you can still do math with the text alone. The lessons are written in the book, but they seem to come across more clearly the way they're explained on the computer.

I think it would be well worth your time to check out the website: http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/

There are sample lessons, so you can get a better idea of what I'm talking about.

Answer 3

Unless you enjoy math it will probably never be "fun".  I recommend using a curriculum that takes a spiral approach to learning vs. the mastery approach.  Mastery is like saxon where you do it until you get it.  Spiral introduces and moves on but reviews it in every lesson.  I found that the spiral approach eliminates boredom.

Answer 4

We have used A Beka, Math-U-See and "old school books" (meaning school books the schools no longer use) and for those who have difficulty understanding math, I highly recommend MUS ... for those better with math, A Beka is challenging and does try to make it more enticing.

Ways you can make math more exciting - apply it to your every day life ... fractions, for example, a sport that has 4 quarters can be a great tool.  If team A has 5 points by the end of the first quarter, how many points should they have at the end of the game? Teaches simple multiplication - but you can use it for algebra also.  Or anything really.  Use various things of interest to apply the math problems to and it helps to learn it easier.

Hope this helps

Answer 5

I "second" the Teaching Textbooks recommendation.  My son is doing Algebra I and LOVES it.  He'll move on to Geometry soon.

http://www.teachingtextbooks.com

Answer 6

i am in 8th grade and up until this year have never liked math! I found a curriculum this year that changed my life forever. Algebra is now my favorits subject. I DO NOT RECCOMEND ALPHA OMEGA!!! I used it for sixth grade and thought I would flunk out. It was so bad!!!! The curriculum I used this year was from the "Homeschool Supercenter" It was called Key to Algebra andexplained everything better that I could have ever guessed! Math is the greatest. Here's a link...

http://www.accountwizard.com/clients/sho...