A few summers ago, we used CTC Math, which is the program that got my daughter up to grade level. She did one or two lessons each weekday without complaint. I am still subscribed but don't use it as much because the "older" levels don't have interactive lessons. You have to print out worksheets and fill them out that way. Now, we tried this, but my daughter didn't like it at all. The questions on the worksheets were more complicated and difficult than the problems Pat went over in the instructional videos. For example, he'd go over single digit multiplication in the video, then the worksheet will ask you to figure out 459 x 66. That was frustrating for her and she was no longer enjoying math.
So now, we are doing Mastering Essential Math Skills Book One.
I went with Book One so I could make sure she knew all of the basics. It starts off with addition and subtraction, then works its way to more complex topics. Each new lesson contains four review questions that go over previously learned topics, and there is a word problem at the end of each lesson. The author used to be a middle-school teacher and using this method, by the end of the school year, his sixth-grade students were ready for sull-on Algebra!
Although it is okay, I still feel anxious that she isn't doing enough. This isn't the most exciting program but she gets it done, it's quick and she completely understands it. The explanations are super simple and easy to understand. They're the kind of straight to the point instructions that I would give myself (if I knew what I was doing!)
But there is still that gut-wrenching, gnawing feeling that it isn't enough, ya know?
I see all of these other homeschoolers like "Oh yeah, my six-year-old Marcy does 3 hours of Beast Academy, a chapter of Math Mammoth and an hour of Singapore Math each day! She loves it!" And I'm over here like "Erm... my 6th grader does 20 minutes of math five days a week." *hangs head in shame and wonders just how much I am ruining her chance of being accepted into college*
We've tried Dreambox, Math Mammoth and a bunch of other conceptual math programs but my kids just don't think that way. They do best with "old school" math that is straight to the point. I've looked into Shiller Math... until I saw that price tag! Thought about Rod & Staff and MEP but I read they're both teacher intensive and math is NOT my strong suit so I wouldn't be comfortable with that.
We need a math that's straight to the point with clear and concise video instructions, and so far, I haven't been able to find anything that fits our needs and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
What about you guys? What do you use? Do you have any suggestions for us?
I'm all ears!
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