A math curriculum is very important to parents who homeschool their children with special needs. There are a lot of math programs to choose from, but it’s not easy to figure out which one is best. How you use, the class you choose is more important than what the class is about. Before we look at some of the resources out there, let’s look at which teachers and curriculums are best for kids with learning disabilities.
Be Aware Of Your Child’s Needs
If your child has wording, visual, or auditory problems, they may not understand abstract concepts or solve problems well. These problems may also make it hard to say what they don’t understand. Take the time to figure out how smart your child is and how well they do at school and what they need to work on. It will help you choose the best curriculum for your child’s current strengths if you know what they are.
Remember that no set curriculum is perfect. You’ll probably have to make some changes here and there (like adding demonstrations and materials) for it to be the best fit for your child’s unique needs. If your chosen method doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to try something else. Your results will be better no matter what kind of curriculum you use.
Types of math lessons
If you teach math, you’re likely to use one of two methods: mastery-based or a spiral approach. Mastery-based programs are chapter books that teach a few things at a time, and they also give scholars time to review what they learned. The spiral programs introduce new ideas and then reinforce them with many practice problems.
The Spiral Method is a way to get things done.
Your child will learn a new thing in each lesson even though they haven’t mastered the last thing yet. This is called a “spiraling” curriculum. These ideas are repeated and built on in future lessons, giving your child a lot of chances to learn them. This procedure also helps students connect similar concepts, which helps them remember what they’ve learned.
The Mastery Approach
A student must fully understand each subject in a mastery math program before moving on to the next one. It is about breaking down complicated skills into smaller steps. Only after these steps have been learned can they be practiced as a whole. Using this method, a student must first learn how to add, subtract, and multiply before learning how to divide long numbers.
What to Think About When Choosing a Math Curriculum
When you choose a curriculum, think about the following questions. The people who work with you will help you narrow down your choices as you look at each one.
How does your kid learn most effectively?
Do you think your child likes learning on a computer? Or do they like to do drills and worksheets, or do they not like them?
Will this class be within my budget?
How much is the cost of the class? The cost of homeschool math programs can be very different. Figuring out how much funds you can spend will help you cut out some options.
How much time does it take to get ready?
Are you able to spend enough time on each lesson to make sure it goes well?
What kind of support materials are there?
When you choose a homeschool curriculum, think about whether you need extra things and how easy they are to get. Will you need to buy any other add-ons or tools? Are there videos that show you how to use the curriculum?
Were you looking for a scripted or unscripted course?
Some math curriculum programs write out everything the parent has to say and do for their child, so they don’t have to think about it. It makes math easier to teach, even if it’s not your favorite subject. While some parents like this, others prefer to teach their kids without a set curriculum.
The most popular homeschool math curricula
Now that you understand what to look for, it’s time to pick a few programs to look at more closely. Short summaries of some of the best homeschool math programs are shown here.
Abeka Mathematics
This PreK–12 curriculum lets parents mix and match textbooks, lesson plans, kits, and video lessons to make the best program for their children. In Abeka, everything is looked at from a Christian point of view.
The Horizons Math
Students learn math through a spiral method with Horizons, with fast-paced lessons. Horizons introduces, reviews, and reinforces math through this process. The publisher, Alpha Omega Publications, also sells Switched-On Schoolhouse, a computer game. Grades K–6 can use it.
Math-U-See
Children in grades K–12 learn math concepts with the help of manipulatives in this skill-based, multisensory math program. Each Math-U-See lesson is designed to teach using various tools, such as videos and manipulatives, to help students learn.
Saxon Mathematics
When it comes to math, this program goes in a spiral way. Saxon introduces a new skill or principle each day, and for weeks, he talks about these things repeatedly. It’s available for grades K through 12.
Singapore Mathematica
Math concepts are learned in three stages: concrete, pictorial, and abstract. This mastery-based program uses these three stages to teach math. Teachers use hands-on tools and models to help students learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also use abstract symbols to help them think. PreK–8th graders can use it.
Verywell’s Opinion
Math can be hard for some people, and homeschooling can be hard for some people, too. If your child has a knowledge disability that makes this even more difficult, be sure to do a lot of research before you choose a curriculum. If you choose the right program, almost any child can become excited about math and want to learn more.
