Secular Homeschool Math Curriculums: A Guide to Finding the Right One for Your Family
When it comes to choosing a math program for your homeschool, there are a lot of options out there. But if you’re looking for a secular homeschool math curriculum that aligns with your family’s values, the search can be a bit more challenging. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the secular homeschool math programs available and offer tips for finding the right one for your family.
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What is a Secular Homeschool Math Curriculum?
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s define what we mean by a secular homeschool math curriculum. Essentially, a secular program is one that is not affiliated with any particular religion or religious worldview. While some programs may touch on religious themes or incorporate religious texts, secular programs are designed to be accessible to families of all backgrounds.
Deciding Between a Spiral Math Program, Mastery Math Program, or Common Core Math
Spiral math programs, mastery math programs, and common core math programs are three different approaches to teaching math. Each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses, and which one you choose will depend on your personal preferences and goals for your child’s math education.
Spiral Math Programs:
Spiral math programs are designed to introduce and reinforce a variety of math topics throughout the year, typically in a cyclical or repetitive pattern. In a spiral program, students will learn a little bit of everything in each lesson, and then continue to build on that knowledge in subsequent lessons throughout the year.
The benefits of a spiral program include:
- Comprehensive coverage of a wide range of math topics
- Regular review and reinforcement of previously learned material
- Opportunities to make connections between different areas of math
However, some students may find the constant switching between topics to be confusing or overwhelming, and they may struggle to fully grasp certain concepts before moving on to the next one.
Mastery Math Programs:
Mastery math programs are designed to help students develop a deep understanding of each math concept before moving on to the next one. In a mastery program, students will focus on one topic at a time, working through a series of lessons and practice problems until they’ve mastered the material.
The benefits of a mastery program include:
- A thorough understanding of each math concept before moving on
- Clear and consistent instruction on each topic
- Opportunities for students to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills
However, some students may find a mastery program to be too repetitive or slow-paced, and they may become bored or disengaged if they feel like they’re not being challenged enough.
Common Core Math Programs:
Common Core math is a set of standards that outline the knowledge and skills that students should master in each grade level. These standards were developed by a group of educators and experts from across the country, with the goal of creating a consistent and rigorous set of expectations for students across all states in the U.S.
One of the key features of Common Core math is a focus on problem-solving and critical thinking. Rather than just memorizing formulas and procedures, students are encouraged to think deeply about math concepts, apply them to real-world situations, and communicate their reasoning and thought processes.
Another important aspect of Common Core math is an emphasis on mathematical fluency, or the ability to quickly and accurately perform basic math operations. This includes skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as concepts like fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Common Core math standards are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the needs of their students. The standards are also designed to be cumulative, meaning that each year builds on the skills and concepts learned in the previous year.
While the Common Core math standards have been a source of controversy and debate in some circles, many educators and experts believe that they represent a significant improvement over previous math standards. By providing a clear and consistent set of expectations for students, Common Core math helps ensure that all students have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and careers.
Ultimately, the choice between a spiral program, a mastery program, and a common core math will depend on your child’s individual learning style and your goals for their math education. Some students may thrive in a spiral program, while others may do better in a mastery program. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, you can make an informed decision that will help your child succeed in math.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular secular homeschool math programs available.
Secular Homeschool Math Curriculums
Math-U-See is a popular math program that uses manipulatives and videos to teach math concepts. The program is designed to be self-paced, so students can move through the material at their own speed. One of the things that sets Math-U-See apart is its focus on mastery learning, which means students continue to practice a skill until they’ve truly mastered it.
Beast Academy is a newer program that’s quickly gaining popularity. Designed for students in grades 2-5, Beast Academy uses a comic book-style format to teach math concepts in a fun and engaging way. The program also incorporates challenging problems that encourage students to think creatively and develop problem-solving skills.
Life of Fred is a unique program that tells the story of a fictional character named Fred as he encounters real-world math problems. The program is designed to be engaging and entertaining, but it’s also rigorous and challenging. Students who use Life of Fred develop a deep understanding of math concepts and are able to apply them in real-life situations.
- Singapore Math
Singapore Math is a popular program that’s been used in schools around the world for decades. The program is known for its strong focus on problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Singapore Math also uses a concrete-pictorial-abstract approach, which means students move from working with manipulatives to drawing pictures to solving abstract problems.
Teaching Textbooks is a self-paced math program that uses a multimedia approach to teach math concepts. The program includes video lessons, interactive problems, and automated grading. Teaching Textbooks is designed to be user-friendly and can be used independently by students.
Zearn is an online math program that’s aligned with Common Core State Standards. The program includes interactive lessons, personalized practice problems, and real-time feedback. Zearn is designed to be engaging and motivating for students, and the program includes built-in assessments to help teachers monitor student progress.
Math Mammoth is a comprehensive math program that includes both digital and print materials. The program is designed to be flexible and can be used with students of all ages and abilities. Math Mammoth includes a strong focus on conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills.
- CTCMath
CTCMath is an online math program that includes video lessons, interactive questions, and automated grading. The program is designed to be self-paced, and students can work through the material at their own speed. CTCMath includes a wide range of topics, from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus.
Math in Focus is a program that’s based on the Singapore Math approach. The program includes both digital and print materials, and it’s designed to be engaging and interactive. Math in Focus includes a strong focus on problem-solving skills, and the program includes plenty of practice problems to reinforce key concepts.
When choosing a secular math program, it’s important to consider your family’s needs and goals. Think about your child’s learning style, the level of support you’re able to provide, and what you want your child to get out of their math education. With so many options available, you’re sure to find a program that works well for your family.
Increase Math Confidence With Online Math Programs
Increase confidence in math by pairing your curriculum with these programs. Kids will love playing games while learning important math skills.
- Generation Genius – Generation Genius is an online science and math program for students in grades K-5. The program includes video lessons, interactive activities, and assessments that align with state and national science and math standards. The program is designed to make learning fun and engaging for young students.
- BrainPOP – BrainPOP is an online educational resource that covers a wide range of subjects, including math. The math section of BrainPOP includes video lessons, games, and quizzes that cover topics such as fractions, decimals, and geometry. The program is designed to help students develop a strong foundation in math concepts and skills.
- Prodigy Math – Prodigy Math is an online math game that allows students to practice math skills while playing a fun and engaging game. The program covers topics such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and more, and is designed to adapt to each student’s individual learning needs.
- TimesTales.com – TimesTales.com is a program designed to help students learn their multiplication tables. The program uses stories and visual cues to help students memorize the times tables quickly and easily. The program is designed to be fun and engaging, making it an effective tool for students who struggle with memorization.
Each of these programs offers a unique approach to learning math, and can be used in conjunction with each other, or on their own, to help students improve their math skills and develop a love for math.
