How to Compare Homeschool Math Curriculums

Homeschoolers have several options for teaching math.

Most states require that home-school families teach mathematics in conjunction with other traditional school subjects, such as history and reading. Home-school families have the opportunity to compare a variety of curriculum before selecting the one most appropriate for their children.

Types

Home-school math curriculum varies based on the grade level of the student and the company that produces the curriculum. Some math books include religious lessons or thought-provoking sections of text, while other textbooks include only mathematical formulas and equations. Upper level math books may be separated by type of math, such as Algebra or Geometry, while other books may combine all types of math into one book. For added variety, some curriculum companies offer DVD-based math curriculum.

Features

While all math curriculum teaches the same basic facts, each curriculum varies in its style. Some curriculum focuses on games and story problems to teach lessons, while other curriculum focuses on workbook style problems and includes self quizzes at regular intervals.

Considerations

Select a math curriculum based on your child's individual learning style. Some children learn better through story problems and would fare best with a traditional curriculum, while others are more visual learners and would prefer a video-based math curriculum.

References

• Homeschool Facts: State Laws - Michigan
• Systematic Mathematics: Fixing the Problem
• Math.com: Teaching Math At Home - Parents as Math Teachers
• Homeschool Curriculum: Homeschool Math Curriculum

Resources

• Homeschool Reviews: Homeschool Curriculum Reviews