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Homeschool Math Curriculum Reviews There are many ways to learn math at home. Here are reviews of some of our favorite programs. Singapore Primary Mathematics Every four years, a prestigious international research study ranks countries' success in math education, and every four years, the little nation of Singapore comes out on top. One of the reasons? The Singapore Primary Mathematics curriculum. This outstanding first through sixth grade program has worked for children in Singapore, and now works for thousands of homeschoolers worldwide as well. For the last seven years, our family has used Singapore Primary Math with our four children, and we love it. As an engineering graduate myself, I am impressed by the way Singapore Math teaches mathematical concepts. The student understands the why before he is drilled on the how. When introducing a new idea, the curriculum presents it from several different directions, so if one way of learning doesn't make sense to a child, another may. For example, addition is taught by sets of apples joined together, and by a cartoon character walking along a number line, and by matching numbers that add up to ten. As one would expect with a conceptual emphasis, the curriculum has a strong affinity for word problems, in order to test and cement comprehensive understanding. Singapore has a strong reputation for providing a solid foundation in mathematics. After using Saxon and Developmental Math for years, a friend of ours finally switched to Singapore for her younger children. Impressed, she raves about how much better prepared her Singapore-trained students are in understanding math, not to mention their improved standardized test scores. In our own family, our eldest progressed smoothly from Singapore Primary Mathematics grade six without any problem directly into Jacob's Algebra. Watching her whizzing through the first several chapters of algebra - all review to her - reinforced our conviction that Singapore Math provides a thorough foundation. Once a young child can count and has a basic idea of addition, he can start directly in Singapore level 1A. Beginning with a preparatory kindergarten curriculum is not necessary. If moving a child to Singapore Primary Math after using a different curriculum, be aware that Singapore is a half year or more ahead of typical American programs. Looking online, parents can find placement tests to indicate the appropriate level for a child to begin.
When implementing the program, a typical day involves briefly discussing the textbook material with the child, then letting him do the workbook exercise on his own. Many days there is nothing new to go over in the textbook, and other days it is minimal, so parental teaching time is minor: perhaps fifteen minutes twice a week, per child. By the end of fourth grade our children were usually able to read the textbook on their own, further reducing daily parental time requirements.
Singapore Math is a pleasant and affordable program to use. Young children appreciate the cartoons and bright colors. Parents appreciate the price. For each year, a family will need two non-consumable textbooks ($8.70 each) and the two accompanying consumable workbooks ($7.70 to $8.70 each). If you live in the States, look for the U.S. edition; the old Third Edition is just as good, but uses Singapore currency. For the higher grades, the Singapore Primary Mathematics Answer Key Grades 4-6 is helpful ($6.60). Workbooks are easy enough to correct at a glance in the younger grades, but an answer key will be appreciated when the problems get longer in fourth grade. Thus, by spending under $40.00 a year, a family can have a topnotch, appealing math curriculum, half of which is reusable for subsequent children.
Among this curriculum's greatest strengths are its simplicity and flexibility. The program does not drown the student in superfluous exercises, forcing the parent to pick through assignments and choose which problems to skip. "There isn't excessive repetition," one mom explains. With enough daily exercises to master material, and periodic review quizzes throughout, the balance is great. But, all kids are different. Since some may need more practice than others, Singapore offers excellent supplemental materials for those who need them. Well-designed and effective, extra practice books come in single-volume and two-volume sets for each grade level. There is also a CD-ROM available for review in computer game format. Also optional, the Home Instructor Guide ($21.00 per grade level) may be helpful to parents who are less math-oriented themselves, or who appreciate additional teaching explanations and suggestions. Walking step-by-step through the thought processes of new concepts, the guides also include mental math exercises, ideas for implementing manipulatives, an answer key, and a schedule for integrating text, workbook, and CD-ROM. Not all extras are necessary, though. In fact, a family might consider delaying the purchase of supplemental materials until they have tried out the program, to see whether they will need extra helps or not. Our household has only used two extra practice books in fourteen years worth of child instruction. Many homeschooling families appreciate the simplicity of having just a textbook and workbook to cover each day, not to mention the cost savings.
Internationally acclaimed for its proven track record, Singapore Primary Mathematics is a truly outstanding curriculum. The bright, cheerful books are as appealing as they are affordable. Simple and effective in its basic format, the program is easily expandable for families needing extra practice or help. Most importantly, Singapore Math provides a strong conceptual understanding of mathematics, laying a solid foundation for higher-level studies. As homeschoolers, we are grateful for the availability of this powerful and well-designed curriculum. -Elizabeth Fox Other reviews of Singapore Math: "This series is recommended for those who want a challenging math series with a proven international track record that will carry them part way into advanced math." -HomeschoolMath.net "Children who learn well with Singapore math will come away really understanding math on a level that many of us missed out on as children."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jacobs' Elementary Algebra When our family was looking for an algebra curriculum, we wanted something which communicated clearly, which our children could use independently, and which led to mastery of the material. Concerned about minimizing our kids' screen time, and interested in cost savings, we decided to select a textbook-based course rather than a computer or DVD curriculum. We have been resoundingly pleased with our choice, the popular Elementary Algebra by Harold Jacobs.
I'll admit it; I love algebra. There's a beauty and order to it which satisfies me like a well-organized bookshelf. But some of the textbooks I previewed for my kids were so dry, so obtuse, and so off-putting, they made even an algebra aficionado like me start to hate the subject.
Jacobs' Algebra is different. With a conversational style, the text is readable, and entertaining. You might call it a living books approach to mathematics. For example, each lesson starts with either a cartoon (such as Peanuts or B.C.) or a photo and story illustrating the point of the day. The opening illustrations are so funny that we had to make a rule in our house that the kids couldn't read ahead until they finished the previous lesson. Even the layout and font of Jacobs Algebra are easy on the eyes. Unlike other texts I examined, Jacob's Elementary Algebra manages to be appealing and engaging while still effectively communicating algebraic concepts.
The format is straightforward. Each lesson includes four problem sets, the first being a brief review of previous material. The next two sets are equivalent to each other, both covering concepts from the new lesson. More than mere drills, these sets include an inductive learning element, leading the student through new material to a point of mastery. The fourth and final problem set of each lesson is a puzzle question, the sort which can be used for extra credit or just for a challenge. Like riddles, the challenge problems motivate because they are intriguing, but their solutions always depend in one way or another on the new concept learned in that day's lesson. At the end of each chapter is a summary and review section; midterm and final review sections round out the reinforcement.
Not all of the problem sets need to be used. Our daughter learned algebra well despite skipping the review set and one of the new-material sets for each lesson; she did one new-material set (sometimes every other problem) and finished with the challenge problem for fun. The curriculum is easily adjustable to meet the level of review needed by your child; you won't run out of problems.
Algebra programs aren't cheap, but they don't need to break the bank, either. Elementary Algebra's sturdy, non-consumable hardback text retails for $100.50, but can be found for significantly less from distributors. In theory, a family could get away with using the textbook alone, because the back of the book includes answers to one of the new-material problem sets for each lesson. Since each chapter ends with a summary and review section, the problem set for that section could be used as a chapter test. The midterm and final could be taken in the same way. A textbook-only approach would minimize expenses.
However, for about $33, the paperback Teacher's Guide to Elementary Algebra is a real plus. With an answer key to all textbook problems, this instructor's manual opens up the full benefit of the textbook review exercises and challenge questions, as well as the additional problem set on new lesson material. The 258-page Teacher's Guide does have additional explanations, games, and instructional suggestions for each lesson, some quite interesting, but we never used it except for the answer key. If a family wants even more practice problems, they can spend another $33 to buy the Test Book. However, most students should find that the textbook with teacher's guide answer key provide adequate exercises for review and testing on each chapter, as well as midterm and final, without buying the test bank.
Jacob's Algebra is not for everyone. Since the Teacher's Guide provides an answer key without fully-worked solutions, a student may occasionally need outside help to understand why his answer is wrong. Parents whose own grasp of algebra is tenuous may be uncomfortable providing troubleshooting help. While many students will have no trouble learning the material on their own from the textbook, some may prefer a more interactive environment, based on their learning style. However, for plenty of families looking for a well-written, user-friendly curriculum, Jacobs' Elementary Algebra is an excellent choice as an affordable and understandable program providing students with a solid foundation, and even offering a little fun along the way. -Elizabeth Fox Other reviews of Jacobs Algebra: "Jacobs often brings in problems...that are historical, showing students a bit of the intrigue of math history along with a problem solving challenge. He has problems from Roman times, puzzles from turn of the century recreational math books, and even one from the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge...I hope you'll decide to take a look at these books, especially if you want to turn (your kids) away from a fear or dislike of mathematics." "This is an atypical algebra text...it invites students to explore algebra in a friendlier environment than other texts." - Cathy Duffy (one of her 100 Top Picks) "Author Harold Jacobs is an exceptional math teacher with a great sense of humor... Much easier to present and use than Saxon Algebra." Tina Rice, Senior Research, The Old Schoolhouse |
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