If you have a child who struggles with math, a homeschool math curriculum online can help. Teaching math is challenging for many parents – especially since much of it looks different from what we did in school. If you have a child that struggles, teaching math feels next to impossible.
But you don’t have to go it alone. In this post, I’ll share an online option that will support your child (and you) every step of the way.
We received this program free of charge and compensation for our time in exchange for providing a fair and honest review.
Looking for the Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Struggling Students
Not every child is mathematically inclined. As a child who struggled with math, I get it. And now, as a homeschooling parent, it makes teaching math even more difficult. My oldest son is now heading into more advanced math courses and I find myself struggling to understand what I need to teach.
If your child struggles with math, teaching becomes even more of a challenge. Kids who struggle with math may:
- Need step-by-step instruction on each new concept
- Need support completing independent work
- Require extra review and practice
- Not look forward to math time
- Actively avoid doing their work
Meeting your child’s math needs can be a challenge. It’s all the more difficult if you’re teaching multiple kids or working from home – you might not have the time to dedicate to helping your child learn and practice this one challenging subject step by step each day. This can be even more challenging if getting your kid to work on math turns into an arm-wrestling match every time. Sometimes just finishing the basic lesson takes a great deal of effort, let alone working in the extra practice and review.
Benefits of Using a Homeschool Math Curriculum Online
If any of this sounds familiar, a homeschool math curriculum online can help. An online curriculum can take the pressure off you and give your child the instruction and support they need to make progress.
An online curriculum provides a clear path for instruction and review. You don’t have to figure out what needs to be done or when. These programs also support your child without you being right next to them, giving you time to work on other tasks. An online curriculum is often more engaging than a traditional text book or workbook, so your child may be more interested in learning.
The program that we’ve used, and that I would highly recommend, is Teaching Textbooks. This program provides a clear path to mastering new math topics with built-in review and support every step of the way. It’s the best homeschool math curriculum online for struggling students, because it addresses all of their specific challenges. It’s also wonderful for parents who find teaching math to be a bit of a challenge.
Our Homeschool Experience: Using Teaching Textbooks Homeschool Math Curriculum Online
Personally, I’ve always had a hard time with math. When my oldest was little, teaching basic math was fun and easy. But as he got older and the concepts got more complicated, I struggled. We started using Teaching Textbooks a few years ago, and I remember being so happy to have the support of online instruction.
Last year we switched to using a private tutor. The instruction was wonderful, but the cost is just not sustainable. I knew that with my son in middle school and working on (gasp) algebra, I would need to go back to an online math curriculum for homeschool.
I was happy to get (re)started with Teaching Textbooks. It’s an affordable, easy-to-use curriculcum that meets my son’s needs (and mine). Even better, he was excited to be using a familiar and fun product again, including digging in to the new 4.0 updates!
Getting (Re) Started With Teaching Textbooks 4.0
After a placement test, he was ready to hit the ground running with Algebra 1. The format is really kid-friendly. Installation took just a few minutes, and he was able to start right away. We began at kind of a strange time of year, because his tutoring finished early in May. With the TT lessons, he could keep going on math to finish out the year.
Teaching Textbooks is nice because it’s an enrollment-style program rather than a subscription service. We can pause to take a summer break and pick back up without missing out on a big chunk of time with the program.
Using Teaching Textbooks gives me back time in my day. It’s an engaging program, which makes it easy for my son to work independently. I can say, “Hey, it’s time for math,” and know my son is getting the instruction, review, and overall support he needs to progress through the program. There’s no arm twisting or wrestling to get it done.
Plus, I don’t have to do any grading or explaining. I can check his progress anytime using the parent dashboard, so I always know he’s on track. I can also catch it quickly before he goes off the rails.
Teaching Textbooks: Is This Online Homeschool Math Curriculum for You?
Now you’ve seen why Teaching Textbooks is a great fit for my son and our family, but is it the right program for you? Let’s go through some of the components of this program to give you a better idea.
Rather than a standard subscription service, Teaching Textbooks offers a one-year enrollment into the level of your choice. A placement test determines your child’s level (access these free online). I love using placement tests, because as homeschoolers, we know that our kids don’t always match with their peers.
With Teaching Textbooks, you can be sure your child is getting the instruction they need without any gaps, whether they’re struggling, advanced, or right on grade level. Levels begin with Math 3, which is frequently used for second grade, continue through Math 7, algebra, geometry, and calculus.
The prices range from $43.08 to $67.08, depending on the level you choose. They even offer discounts for large families with four-eight children. And, you can pause your course for up to three months – but the months don’t have to be consecutive. This is great for families who need flexibility. It works well whether you’re on a traditional schedule, take extended breaks throughout the year, or are on a year-round homeschool schedule.
Why Teaching Textbooks Is the Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Struggling Students
Teaching Textbooks is an affordable program that offers a lot of flexibility, but there are a few factors that make it truly shine as the best homeschool math curriculum for struggling students.
Engaging Curriculum
If your child falls into the “actively avoiding” category of math students, you’ll appreciate that Teaching Textbooks has taken steps to make math time both engaging and rewarding. There are lots of customization options available – kids can choose from a variety of backgrounds and hint sounds. They can earn rewards like stickers that are kept on a sticker collection page. They can even choose what stickers they like and what type they’d like to collect.
These fun little aspects make lessons feel a little like playing a game while learning. While these aspects are motivating, the most engaging part is that your child is an active participant in every lesson. They’re not just passively watching a video and doing a list of follow-up questions. Instead, the program is interactive throughout – they’re always working and answering questions.
During the lesson, your child is presented with a concept and then asked to answer questions and work along. Just as a teacher would do in a classroom, the program provides feedback as they go with instruction and examples. Take a look at the video below to see what I mean.
Later while your child practices and answers quiz questions, they can ask for hints, get instant feedback, and view video support when they need it. They are always interacting in this program. That is what makes it the most engaging and strongest online math curriculum for homeschool.
Step-by-Step Instruction and Support
But engagement is only one part of the bigger picture. These interactive lessons also help guide your child through each new concept step by step. There’s instruction, practice, and review in every lesson.
A quiz follows each lesson, where your child receives instant feedback about their work. If they’re stumped by a question, they can request a hint. Get a question wrong? They get a second chance. If they still miss it, they’ll view a step-by-step solution that reinforces the lesson and provides the child with the clarification they need to really understand the concept. There are teacher videos for every single problem.
While Teaching Textbooks is handling all of the instruction, support, and grading, you can easily monitor your child’s progress. The parent dashboard provides an overall score and you can see how they did on each individual question. You can see where they needed hints and if they’re still struggling with a concept.
Your Safety Net – Tutoring Hotline
This essential instruction and step-by-step support is provide right in the program and will mostly be hands-off for you. But if your child is struggling, there is a tutoring hotline that you can call for extra help.
Stumped about how to explain an algebra concept? You always have a safety net to fall back on. It’s a relief to know that this support system is in there, even if you don’t anticipate needing it. And especially handy when you didn’t anticipate needing it and then suddenly do.
Try Teaching Textbooks for Free
If you’re not sure if Teaching Textbooks will work for you, I would encourage you to try it out. Teaching Textbooks offers a free trial that includes the first 15 lessons for each level – no credit card required. If you have multiple kids, you can sign up to try multiple levels at the same time. 15 lessons is enough time to try it out and see if it works for you.
Teaching Textbooks works across all platforms, whether you’re working on a Mac, Windows, or Chromebook. You can take lessons on the road with offline lessons or work on your iPad or tablet.
Giveaway!
This giveaway is now closed and winners have been notified. Thank you for participating.
Teaching Textbooks is generously giving away TWO 1-YEAR ENROLLMENTS to our readers!
Sweepstakes official rules
This giveaway is open to US residents 18 years or older. No purchase necessary. Entries accepted from July 6 – 11th at 11:59pm EDT, 2021. Two winners will be chosen at random November 12, 2021 by Rafflecopter and winner will be contacted via email. Winners will have 48 hours to respond. If winner does not respond another winner will be selected. To win, you must sign up for the free trial via the Teaching Textbooks website.
Prize includes a one year enrollment to Teaching Textbooks provided by the company, value $43.08 + depending on level and number of children selected by winner. This sweepstakes is being held by Ashley Fox, 25 Sugar Bush Lane, Chagrin Falls OH. Please contact ashley@thehomeschoolresourceroom.com with any questions.
To claim your prize: I will contact you to congratulate you on your win! At that time I will confirm the following information: Name and Email on your Teaching Textbooks account, address, phone number, number of children and math level(s), start date.
Ashley helps parents who want to homeschool find the resources they need to successfully teach their children. Ashley is a former teacher, current homeschooler, published author, and designer behind Circle Time with Miss Fox printables as well as the creator of this website, The Homeschool Resource Room.