Math Curriculum Choices

Living Math

Living Math is completely non-traditional, and uses living books to teach, rather than textbooks or worksheets. The book lists can all be downloaded free, or you can subscribe to get access to full lesson plans.

Approach: Living books
Manipulatives: none required
Uses Additional Materials: Yes
Cost: Free, or $20 - $40 per quarter
E-books: Yes, all documents are PDF downloads
Designed/Adapted for Homeschool: Yes
Grades: primary through secondary
Online Support Group: Yes

Making Math Meaningful

This math program is intended to make math teaching easier by showing parents how to demonstrate each concept. Mental computation and word problems are a focus.

Approach: Parent guide/worksheets
Manipulatives: inexpensive
Uses Additional Materials: No
Cost: about $40 USD per year, includes parent guide up to grade 4 (student book only, under $20)
Designed/Adapted for Homeschool: Yes
Grades: 1-6 plus algebra (geometry in development)
Online Support Group: No

Math Mammoth

Coming soon!

Math-U-See

This program uses videos to teach parents how to teach, but kid like to watch them too! Developed by an experienced math teacher who also a special needs child. It is very well put together, and makes math easy for both parents and kids.

Approach: Parent guide/videos/student books
Manipulatives: moderately priced (used over several years)
Uses Additional Materials: Optional CD for younger kids
Cost: about $50 - $100 USD per year (higher levels more expensive)
Designed/Adapted for Homeschool: Yes
Grades: preschool - pre-calculus
Online Support Group: Yes

Miquon Math

This math program was developed by math teachers in collaboration with their students. It is highly visual, and very hands-on. It is gentle, and has a non-traditional sequence that teaches many concepts earlier than other programs.

Approach: Student exploration/worksheets (parent guide recommended but not required)
Manipulatives: requires set of math rods
Uses Additional Materials: No
Cost: about $8 US for each of 6 workbooks (2 per year)
E-books: Yes, cost less than print edition
Designed/Adapted for Homeschool: Yes
Grades: 1-3
Online Support Group: Yes

Right Start

Tired of seeing your kids count on their fingers or in their heads? Right Start was designed to prevent children from counting when they should be computing. It is very visual, and teaches children to recognize groupings of 5 and 10 so they won't have to count. Should be started in preschool!

Approach: Teaching guides/worksheets
Manipulatives: requires abacus
Uses Additional Materials: No
Cost: about $55 - $80 US per year
Designed/Adapted for Homeschool: Yes
Grades: preschool - 4
Online Support Group: No

Saxon Math

Many families love Saxon Math because it is a rigorous and structured program. It has a balanced multisensory and mental computation approach, and generally more advanced than other math programs.

Approach: Teaching guide/worksheets/meeting books
Manipulatives: expensive, but used over several years
Uses Additional Materials: No
Cost: about $80 - $100 US per year
Designed/Adapted for Homeschool: Homeschool edition available
Grades: K-12+
Online Support Group: Yes

Singapore Math

Singapore is so called because it was developed following the instructional model used in Singapore, where students are known for their outstanding math skills. Like Saxon, it is rigorous. If you are looking for a high school alternative for a student who struggles in math, there is one available, however. Singapore emphasizes word problems and mental computation, and is popular as a complement to Miquon.

Approach: Text/non-consumable workbooks/parent guide (may need answer key depending on series chosen)
Manipulatives: nothing specific required
Uses Additional Materials: No
Cost: about $16 - $25 USD
Designed/Adapted for Homeschool: Homeschool edition available
Grades: K-12+
Online Support Group: Yes