Home Schoolers: What is your favorite math curriculum for the middle school years?

Question

Home Schoolers: What is your favorite math curriculum for the middle school years?

Answer 1

aleks.com is our math curriculum

Answer 2

Saxon. We tried a different curriculum one year and regretted it! Of course, we have been using Saxon from Kindergarten up.

edit:

OK, maybe I am a bit touchy, but thumbs down for an OPINION on a favorite curriculum? Did I say it would be anyone else's favorite? No, I said it works best for us. Come on people.

Answer 3

Teaching Textbooks, hands down.  But I have a global learner.  Not all curricula match someone's learning style.  For instance, my son would absolutely HATE Saxon with its continual rote drill and memorization.

TT has a great format, daily word problems (some with humor), and every single problem worked out on the CD-roms.

http://www.teachingtextbooks.com

My son is using Algebra I now and will have Geometry fairly soon.

Answer 4

I have taught in Christian Schools and home Schooled some children.  There are several math programs out there. If, they are struggling in Math the Saxon Math program will work. If the are advanced in Math I would recommend Abeka or Ace materials. Each of these programs come with a Teachers addition. There are programs on the Internet that offer tutoring.  If you need more help I would willing to help out with your questions. Check out Christian Home Schoolers Resources for my e-maill address..

Answer 5

my girlfriends a homeschooler amnd does abeka ascadamy and she really like Mrs. Howe with algebra and pre algebra

Answer 6

pre- algebra

Answer 7

My favorite is Christian Light Education.  It's kind of like Saxon-in-a-workbook.  There are ten workbooks per grade level.  The workbooks called lightunits cost only $29 per student per year.  The TM and answer keys are just a little more.  So it's very cost-effective.

The lessons are clearly marked out so you know exactly how much to do per day.  The lessons are somewhat like Saxon Math, a little bit of new lesson followed by mixed practice and drills.  Only the explanations are better than Saxon, and you don't have to copy it all into a notebook to work the problems.  You can take a placement/diagnostic test before ordering, so you get exactly the right level for starting.  It does mention church and missionary work in the lessons, but it doesn't bang you over the head with a Bible like some can.

www.clp.org

Answer 8

I've heard A LOT of great things about Math-U-See. I'm hoping to use that next year when I take PreCal, but it has levels for middle school too. The curriculum makes use of DVD lessons and manipulatives, and I do really well when I can use manipulatives to really drive a new concept home and make it concrete before going off into the more abstract areas. There are placement tests as well (free) so that you can determine where your kids are exactly before purchasing one of the levels. Google Math-U-See and check it out!

Answer 9

Lifepac

Answer 10

We started Math U See last november for 3rd grade and my daughter went from struggling in math to really understanding and getting good at it. I also use it for my 5yo and he has abetter concept of place value now than my daughter did at his age(although I'm not sure if it is the curriculum or if he is a math wiz yet). I have really enjoyed watching the lessons with my daughter and have learned a lot as well. The DVD lessons are short and to the point. The workbooks don't overwhelm a child with problems btu there are enough pages to make them really understand. My daughter usually does 1 or 2 pages and is ready for the test and to move on. We will be ordering is again nest year and every year after that until she is either sick of MUS or we find something better!

Answer 11

Abeka is good.  I also like Saxxon Math.  It is the best, I think.

Answer 12

We use Math U Seehttp://www.mathusee.com/.  We've been using it for more than two years now. We will be starting pre-algebra this year.  Where one is in the program, however, is not nearly as important as achieving mastery, since mathematics builds on itself.  If a child still counts on his fingers or can't recall the multiplication tables, higher math is going to be a struggle.

Whatever you chose, don't worry about the label "middle school."  Work at your child's level.

Answer 13

Saxon Math, hands down. I used it from third grade up through calculus, and in the end I loved it. Heck, I think my Saxon Calculus book was clearer than my college textbook, and I still occasionally refer to it when I don't understand something.

Answer 14

We use singapore math.  http://www.singaporemath.com.

Our children really enjoy it, they also retain what they are learning.