Hi everyone! My son (10) is ADHD, we used Abeka this year. The language was great but the math wasn't so helpful. It had a lot of review on each page and not enough of the new material. Does anyone have a suggestion. Tammy in NC
My daughter is 11 and we used Abeka math this year too. I have the same thoughts on it as you do. Have you checked into Saxon math? When I read about it on the internet, it sounded like a similar approach to Abeka, so I wasn't really interested. Then I saw it, and I decided that we're going to try it. Yes, it teaches a new concept every day, but it goes into so much more explanation and more examples of the work (steps) and how it relates to everyday life, etc. I'm excited to give it a try. I think it'll be a much-needed change. HTH,
We switched to Math-U-See a month or so ago. We could not be happier! It teaches math in a different way than most other curriculums, so we started at a lower level than anticipated so that ds could relearn concepts in a way that he needed to process them. They have placement tests on the site. www.mathusee.com. It is set up to offer enough practice but not overkill. The tests (if you opt to give them) and the reviews are cumulative, but still, not overkill on each page. Saxon (at least the way I remember it from school) woulda give ds a heart attack from the sheer amount of problems offered for practice! :lol: He used to HATE math, but now he says "it's not THAT bad."....that's a huge statement for him!
I use Horizons from Alpha Omega until fourth grade, then switch to Saxon. Both have been good fits for us. My oldest, who will be 11 soon, will be starting Algebra this summer. She has some concerns about whether she can "really do it". Her dad, who is certified to teach math, told her that pre-Algebra is being taught now in many 6th grade classes. AND she tested into it. We're switching away from Saxon for this, though. Not that I really want to, but he has complete sets of higher level math books that he got free when the school district switched program. That FREE has it's draw, KWIM?
I have nothing against Saxon, it can be a great program. My kids just did NOT like it at all! So we switched to other things. My 8 and 11 year olds are using Alpha Omega LifePacs Math. They love it, especially my 11yo! He's got lot's of energy and gets overwhelmed easily. The sheer size of the Horizons and Saxon books sent him off---he couldn't get past that. Once we got the LifePacs, he settled right in and is doing great. LifePacs are 10 smaller workbooks that you do over the couse of the year. It ends up being the same amount, basically, but it's divided up into the 10 parts, which helps with motivation, and doesn't seem so overwhelming! I keep my eyes open, and am very curious about Math U See! But my kids are doing so well with what they have that I'm afraid to "rock the boat"!
Tammy.. You'll probably get as much variety in posts as there are math curriculums :lol: So I'll throw another one in for the mix. :lol: We love Calvert. Each math curriculum,imho, has it advantages and disadvantages.. There are lots of math curriculums that use the spiral fashion,ie. developing and reviewing previously learned concepts. One of the reasons I like Calvert is because they spend most of the time of each day's lessons on developing the new thought and a shorter amount of time on the review of previous learned skills. In addition, since math is not my thing, I needed the teaching manual provided by Calvert. I do like to supplement with Singapore, but that program is more of a mastery program and not much review. So that makes a nice compliment to our Calvert. Also, Calvert is bright and colorful and still uses hands on manipulatives here and there. More so in the younger grades, and still a little in the older grades.. I have also heard that Modern Curriculum Press and Rod and Staff both have excellent math programs with good instruciton and review built in. In addition, look at each curriculum to see who is written specifically to homeschoolers and/or to classrooms. That is another reason I like Calvert. They have a specific homeschool section so their manuals are written for non teachers and not for big groups.. Personally, i don't mind my language arts being written to classrooms, like Rod and Staff, but I want my math to be more centered on teaching ME :lol:
I looked seriously at the Life Pacs before I switched to Saxon. As Guest said, it is a good match for some kids. As stated, it has ten booklets, one for each subject. One of the reasons I chose against it was that it seemed too divided for me. You did the FRACTIONS booklet, and then you were done with fractions. Then you move on to MEASUREMENT, and then you're done. With both Saxon and Horizons, you are constantly reviewing and going over. Again, that "over and done" method would work good for some kids; it's a matter of what you prefer.
Just wanted to add this.... For those of you who talked about the workbooks being way too big and your kids not liking them for that reason, have you considered pulling out a chapter at a time. My dd used Horizons and Progress in Mathematics (both big sizes I suppose). It makes it hard to manipulate the book if it's too big. So, I ended up pulling out chapters and stapling or paper clipping them together. It makes ist easier. Just an idea.
You could also punch holes and put them in a notebook. I did that with the answer book to Saxon that I was constantly losing, and haven't lost it since!
Singapore Math I'd like to add another vote for Singapore. We used to do Calvert, but I often found myself skipping the explanations because they were difficult to follow. We've found Singapore to be much easier for my kids to "get" without additional explanation by me. They also come in smaller workbook size, rather than a huge text. And, compared to Calvert, they are much cheaper. Each level has a "textbook" with the explanations and a "workbook" with the related practice problems. These are about $8 each. You are supposed to cover two levels per grade (ie. 3A and 3B). So that works out to $32 a year. Although as my kids get older, I may eventually start spending the extra money for the teacher's answer book. Right now, it's pretty easy to get by without it. There are as many different programs out there as there are styles of learning. Don't be afraid to shop around a little and switch once or twice before you find the right fit.
I gotta add my two cents about Math as well. We have used Alpha Omega, Saxon, Abeka, and Bob Jones Math. Alpha Omega Lifepacs get overwhelming with practice work in the upper grades, Abeka does not explain things as well as the others and Saxon is slightly boring and moves slower (though it is a great choice for a child with learning issues). We have settled in nicely with Bob Jones (similar to Saxon but Christian based) and my kids really love it. Everything is explained nicely and the teacher's manuals are great. At the higher levels of Math 3 different ways of taking the course are given. When my son was taking his college entrance exam he aced the Math portion of the test. He truly got it 100% correct. He said when he got to the harder Math problems, he actually remembered the Scriptures that were given which helped him remember the Formulas. We just loved to hear that! Karla
thank you for everyone's input Thank you everyone for your input. Sorry it took me so long to reply -- I only have access to a computer on Mondays and Wednesdays due to we are living in our camper while our house is being built (only 6 more weeks yeah). I will check all of the different curriculums. Cody needs to review things he has already done, but also needs more practice on new things then Abeka gives. I will take the next few weeks to check out Saxon and Lifepacs. Cody just finished the CAT test (NC requires). We are going to do a few fun things this week and next then hit the books again. The science museum has a Rain Forest exhibit he wants to go to. Thanks for everyone's input Tammy
