Methodology

Spiral or Mastery? Procedural or Conceptual? Read about everything you need to know about homeschooling math here: https://thebyzantinelife.com/homeschool-how-to-teach-math 

Suggested Resources

  • Math With Confidence (Kindergarten through Grade Six) – https://kateshomeschoolmath.com/math-with-confidence-homeschool-math-curriculum/ 
    • This spiral math program is fairly new. These textbooks are both procedural and conceptual, and cost effective. For manipulatives, the author recommends objects that may be easily found around the house, such as coins, blocks, or plush animals. Lessons are scripted if you like the extra guidance, but you can also read through the lesson and go off script.
  • Math-U-See: This is a visual program, very child independent, with “just the right amount of practice”. However it is lacking in logic work (so requires supplementing with books such as Mindbeneders and/or Building Thinking Skills). It is also an expensive program.  Math-U-See is conceptual and mastery in approach. 
  • Saxon Math (Kindergarten through Calculus): This highly procedural program is often considered the diamond standard of homeschool math. The homeschool editions offer supplements such as a daily meeting, which you can easily skip. Also, feel free to pass on the expensive manipulatives in favour of using objects found around the house. 
    • Avoid using the K-3 program if you have a large family. The K-3 program is very parent energy intensive. Having more than one child in that age range at once can be super overwhelming. The grades 4 and up program is more suitable to large families.
  • Singapore Math – https://www.singaporemath.com/pages/dimensions-math-vs-primary-mathematics
    • Conceptual Math is conquered by this world-renowned program, which is also heavily spiral in approach. Due to the high math scores achieved by Singapore, their program was brought to North America as Primary Mathematics. The US Edition follows the original Singapore Math most closely, while the Common Core edition is revised to reflect CC standards best (and you can switch between these two easily). There is a new series of Singapore Math called Primary Mathematics 2022 Edition, however, it follows the US standards for scope and sequence so it isn’t interchangeable with the other editions.
  • For what it’s worth, I was enrolled in Kumon for a few years growing up and I regret needing to quit it to appease my high school teacher who didn’t like that I was doing Math so quickly in my head, that I wasn’t even showing my work.

Math Supplements

  • Procedural Supplements: Math Flash Cards, Math Drills, Math Facts that Stick series
  • Conceptual Supplements: Khan Academy, Miquon Math