If you’ve decided to homeschool your children, you’ll need to choose the best curriculum in every area to ensure they learn every concept they would in school.
The best math homeschool curriculum gives parents access to various teaching methods. Not every student learns the same way, and homeschooling allows parents to choose one more suitable for their children.
Best Math Homeschool Curriculum
Math homeschool programs offer your children alternative learning methods besides the traditional textbook they would use in the classroom. Some programs provide video lessons, manipulatives, and even math games to keep your child engaged and excited to learn. Here’s a list of the best math homeschool curriculum.
Redbird Mathematics
Redbird Mathematics is a program created by Stanford University after 25 years of research. This program is prepared for average students from kindergarten to 7th grade. It’s also geared toward gifted students who will excel in an advanced program.
You’ll need to provide a grade level when you enroll your child. However, this adaptive program will adjust to the student’s performance. When most answers are correct, the curriculum will move quicker through the concepts without skipping any.
On the other hand, the incorrect answers will be explained in different ways to ensure the students understand every concept.
Every lesson includes instructions, examples, and guided practice so the student can truly understand the concept. This curriculum comprises various learning modes, including games, digital manipulatives, and simulation tools.
Children engage in fun games and simulated situations where they have to apply the concepts learned.
Life of Fred Math
This book series covers every math concept from elementary through high school and college. Dr. Stanley Schmidt wrote “The Life of Fred Math.” He was a math teacher that wanted to share his love for mathematics with students of all ages.
Every concept is taught through Fred, a five-year-old genius who gets into serious and funny situations that must be solved through mathematics. This program is an excellent alternative for students who learn better using real-life examples instead of memorizing formulas.
The elementary series is a set of 10 books, while the intermediate series includes three textbooks. It’s essential to do them in the correct order, as sometimes previous concepts are revisited to ensure they are fully understood.
VideoText Math
This math program begins at an eighth-grade level and goes to the 12th grade. VideoText Math can be worked through textbooks and sheets, but it also includes an online platform suitable for visual learners. There is also a helpline with instructors available to provide extra support.
The program is split into Algebra and Geometry. The Algebra section includes Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and II; the Geometry course includes trigonometry and precalculus.
VideoText Math uses various teaching methods like computer-generated graphics, animation, and color-sequencing to ensure students fully understand every concept.
This program takes a holistic approach. Students are encouraged to develop problem-solving skills instead of memorizing concepts and solutions with included problems to solve for each concept learned.
Simply Good and Beautiful Math
Simply Good and Beautiful Math redid its whole program in 2021 to make it more efficient and affordable. This math curriculum is available in textbooks or PDF versions you can print. There are also videos available to support the lessons, which can be watched online or downloaded.
Each course includes instructions and activities for the students. Math K through Math 3 needs to be taught by the parents. However, the lessons are straightforward and clear for both students and parents.
The time invested in each level increases gradually to keep your children engaged, from 15-minute daily kindergarten lessons to grade lessons of 30-45 minutes.
These courses also include a set of wood manipulatives to help children understand general mathematical concepts. “Simply Good and Beautiful Math’s” educational approach is eclectic. This means students acquire problem-solving skills while learning conceptual understandings and math facts.
Saxon Math
Among the best math homeschool curriculum, you’ll find Saxon Math. This program was specially designed for students needing extra math support. This program benefits students who learn better through repetition by using drills to teach math skills and concepts.
The first three levels use textbooks and manipulatives, and the following grades introduce CDs for extra support. One of the best characteristics of this program is that it allows students to work independently. Every lesson includes an introduction, an explanation of the new concept, practice problems, and examples.
The educational approach is through the spiral method, which incorporates already learned concepts every time a new one is introduced. This way, students keep revisiting learned concepts to gain a deeper understanding.
Unlock Math
Unlock Math is an online platform that offers different courses, from basic Pre-Algebra to Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus. One of the best features of this program is that there are no live classes.
All the lessons are pre-recorded, and students can watch them according to their schedule. It’s also possible to watch the lectures more than once if needed.
Every lesson starts with warm-up problems in which students must use previously learned concepts. After each lesson, students will have examples and problems to solve.
Parents have their login to the platform, where they can check the student’s progress during the course. It’s easy to read and will give the parents a clear understanding of which topics need additional practice.
Singapore Math
Singapore Math is a program brought to the U.S. in 1998 when it was proven that international students excel in math compared to U.S. students. This program focuses on teaching students to think mathematically instead of learning concepts by memory.
This is achieved thanks to a three-step process that uses concrete, pictorial, and abstract approaches to teach. The method solidifies the guiding premise that students will think mathematically for problem-solving once they understand how the math process works.
There are several versions of the Singapore program available. You can view the comparative chart on the official website to choose the one you perceive more suitable for your children. Sometimes a placement test will help you decide, as you’ll know your children’s math grades and how they learn.
RightStart Math
There are several reasons why RightStart Math is among the best math homeschool curriculum. While this program was created for kindergarten through to junior high, it covers many concepts usually taught to older students.
The author, Dr. Joan Cotter, aims to create stronger foundations in mathematical thinking and understanding. As we mentioned, the program covers a significant number of concepts, and for that reason, it will likely take students more than a school year to complete the course.
The complete set of RightStart Math includes every item the student will need to complete the program. There are, however, more affordable options in which only the most hard-to-find items are included in the set.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a free platform offering courses for grades two through eight in different subjects. While the site was initially challenging to navigate, it’s been improved over the years, making it more organized and user-friendly. The math program covers Algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, and precalculus.
There is no need to create an account to access its content. However, an account will allow the platform to save the progress made with the courses. The math program is complete, so you don’t have to worry about missing concepts.
The courses are primarily a whiteboard with a voice-over concept explanation. The platform includes several multiple-choice problems for the students to solve to practice the lessons learned. Some lessons include interactive activities, additional videos, and articles to read.
Math-U-See
Math-U-See is a manipulative-based program that teaches math through a hands-on methodology and incremental instructions. The central concept is to explain to students how mathematics work.
Using the “rectangle principle,” this program uses manipulative blocks, Fraction Overlays, and Algebra Decimal Inserts. A digital version of the manipulatives can be downloaded for a virtual experience.
To complete each grade, Math-U-See uses a skill-mastery approach, meaning that students must demonstrate mastery of each topic before moving to the next. The program includes eight elementary-level courses, followed by Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus with Trigonometry, and Calculus.
Choosing the Right Math Curriculum
Deciding to homeschool your children was just the beginning of significant choices you’ll need to make afterward. Choosing the right math curriculum is definitely one of those choices.
First, you must ensure that your chosen program covers all the mathematical concepts. Second is the educational approach. Make sure you select the correct program so your children will learn and, at the same time, stay motivated and eager to grasp the lessons.
Lastly, while several programs can be completed independently, parents’ supervision and support are required. Keeping track of their improvement is essential to ensure they complete their courses. It also allows parents to provide additional support in the areas where students are struggling.