Homeschoolers: Need advice on upper level math curriculums

[mom2boys]

I am relatively new to homeschooling. I started with my 6th grader last Spring. Since it was close to the end of the year, we mainly reviewed, worked on missing skills and assessed an appropriate level for him. Saxon math worked fine for that.

We started this Fall with Saxon 8/7 with Pre-Algebra. It's not working for us. I am looking for a more systematic approach. I assume that Saxon's Algebra and higher levels are structured similarly to the lower levels.

I want a rigorous program - as I see him in a math or science career in the future. He will be attending college. It is important to find a program that we can stick with through the Algebra II and Calculus.
Any suggestions? Even commentary (good or bad) on other programs you have used would be very useful.

Thanks

 

[Pixiedust34]

We are on Horizons 5 (ds) and Horizons 4 (dd), so I haven't started algebra yet; however, I've pretty much decided that we'll be doing Teaching Textbooks when we are finished with Horizons 6. Teaching Textbooks provides both texbooks and a CD for their program. It's been getting good reviews.

www.teachingtextbooks.com

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Teaching Textbooks provides both texbooks and a CD for their program. It's been getting good reviews.

[B]www.teachingtextbooks.com[/B]

I have a friend who uses this and LOVES it! We will likely investigate it when we get to that point.

 

[adoptionmomma4]

We use math-u-see and it has been wonderful. Now, my oldest is only in 4th grade so I can not speak for the upper level curriculum. I will add that I have a friend who switched her 6th grade son from Saxon to math-u-see. They both love it and wished they had switched sooner. He has no problems in math and is a very smart kids. We also have friend that has a son who just graduated and they have used math-u-see for quiet a while. Her is attending college and is planning to be an engineer. You could look at the web site, have your DS take to placement test and look at some sample lessons. We are using Alpha, beta and gamma this year. So much math fun for mom

Good luck. I think the hardest part of home schooling is finding the right programs/curriculum's. I am in the market for a GREAT phonics program is anyone wants to make some suggestions.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Chalkdust has a great program. I used the 8th grade general math for my math boy in the 5th grade. Then I made him take the Saxon Algebra 1/2, because there wasn't any reason to rush through the math courses. It was an awesome prep into the higher maths. Currently using mathusee, but it only goes thru pre-calc. By that time, I will have them enrolled at the college, more than likely.

I've heard the algebra 1 deals mainly with the concrete (we did that last year) but algebra 2 is much more rigorous. This is explained well when considering how the brain develops between the concrete and abstract stages.

 

[bebelle]

Go to carnegielearning . com

 

[theparsons]

http://www.singaporemath.com

 

[disneymom3]

LOVE teaching textbooks. Best money I ever spent. The lecture, the problems the answers--all right there! Plus my perfectionist DD knows right away if she got something wrong or right which allows her to move on.

 

[disneymom3]

Good luck. I think the hardest part of home schooling is finding the right programs/curriculum's. I am in the market for a GREAT phonics program is anyone wants to make some suggestions.

First off, I have debated for a long time about Math-U-See. Which tells me I should probably get it! For my middle DS that is. I went into this homeschooling thing thinking that all my kids would use the same curriculums and that SO has not happened.

About phonics--the last couple of pages of the Homeschool List thread are talking about phonics so you might want to check that out. My personal fav is Happy Phonics from Love to Learn.

 

[kwaisun]

Another vote for Teaching Textbooks

 

[adoptionmomma4]

First off, I have debated for a long time about Math-U-See. Which tells me I should probably get it! For my middle DS that is. I went into this homeschooling thing thinking that all my kids would use the same curriculums and that SO has not happened.

About phonics--the last couple of pages of the Home school List thread are talking about phonics so you might want to check that out. My personal fav is Happy Phonics from Love to Learn.

I love math-u-see. All of my kids do. My DD was having a terrible time in math in PS. I bumped her down a level to let her fly through it and hopefully gain some confidence and make it through beta and most of gamma this year. She has really taken off with math this year and is completing 2-3 lessons per week and taking the tests. She is starting to love math and I could not be happier about that.

I also thought all of my kids could use the same curriculum. I was even going to buy a "canned" curriculum. This would not have worked for us. I am not even able to use some of the stuff we started with. I also thought I could use some of the stuff again the following year for another child. That will probably not work for us either, but I am hoping some of it will.

Thanks for the tips on phonics. I will look into the one you suggested and visit the home school thread.

 

[Praise2Him]

We also use Teaching Textbook and LOVE it!

 

[momof2n2]

but SO excited to see other HSers on DISboards!

 

[NHWX]

I'm happy to have found a hs'ing thread too!

We've been very happy with the pre-algebra, algebra 1 and crytography courses offered through Johns Hopkins. The first two are Thinkwell courses, so you could probably just buy the courses on ebay if you didn't want the JHU name/tutor/exam.

NHWX

 

[mom2boys]

Thanks to all who responded. I have been debating between Math U See & Teaching Texts. I also found some interesting suggestions I was not aware of prior to this thread. I have ordered demos from several. Again, thanks to all for your suggestions.

 

[dis-happy]

I still like the Saxon Math, but with the DIVE cd's added in for the upper levels. There is a lesson taught by a teacher that matches up with the Saxon lessons; if you've never tried it you might want to check out their website. Obviously, YMMV; good luck!!!