Finding the best homeschool math curriculum for a student who is behind can be an intimidating prospect; there are so many options and variables to consider, it can be hard to know where to begin. What makes a high-quality homeschool math curriculum, and what should you look for when trying to find the one that’s best for your student?
In this article, we will discuss fifteen questions to ask when evaluating homeschool math curricula in order to help you make an informed decision.
1. What Math Skills Does Your Student Need to Learn?
It’s important to determine what math skills your student has mastered and which skills they are still needing to learn. Make a list of the required skills in order of priority to ensure that you focus on selecting a curriculum that covers these topics. Common math skills include numbers, operations, factors, equations, geometry, and measurement.
2. What is Your Student’s Current Grade Level?
The grade level of the curriculum you choose should be tailored to your student’s current level instead of the grade level they should be at. This is especially important for students who are behind in math. Selecting a curriculum that is too advanced may cause your student to become frustrated or overwhelmed, while one that is too easy may cause them to become bored.
3. What is Your Learning Style?
When choosing a homeschool math curriculum, it is also important to consider your student’s learning style. Different students learn best through different types of instruction. For example, some students are visual learners, while others are auditory learners.
Some may benefit from more hands-on approaches. Evaluate the various learning styles and make sure to find a curriculum that could best cater to your student’s learning style.
4. What Types of Instructional Materials Does the Curriculum Include?
Homeschool math curricula will typically include a combination of textbooks, workbooks, worksheets, and online tutorials. Evaluate each of the materials that are included in the curriculum in order to make sure that your student will be able to successfully learn the material.
5. Are the Worksheets Adaptable?
Your student may need more help understanding some concepts than others. When selecting a homeschool math curriculum, look for one that includes worksheets that are adaptable so that you can adjust the difficulty level. This will help ensure that the material is accessible to your student while also challenging them.
6. Does the Curriculum Have Comprehensive Solutions?
It can be very helpful if your homeschool math curriculum has comprehensive solutions for all of the worksheets. These solutions can help you to evaluate if your student is correctly understanding the material and can also be a great reference point if you ever need to troubleshoot any problems your student is having.
7. Does the Curriculum Offer Self-Assessments?
Self-assessments are an important part of any homeschool math curriculum. Your student must be able to self-assess their progress in order to learn from their mistakes and move forward.
Look for a curriculum that has self-assessment tools or tests to help your student stay on track with their learning.
8. Does the Curriculum Provide Support and Resources?
It’s important that you choose a homeschool math curriculum that provides support and resources. For example, many online math curriculums offer online tutors and mentors, as well as supplemental worksheets and practice materials to help reinforce the material.
9. Are the Materials Adaptable to Different Learning Styles?
When selecting a homeschool math curriculum, make sure that the materials are adaptable to different learning styles. This will help ensure that your student is not only understanding the material, but that they are also enjoying the process.
10. Does the Curriculum Have Graphical Illustrations?
Graphical illustrations can be particularly helpful for students who are visual learners. Check to see if the curriculum you’re considering has graphical illustrations to help your student more easily understand the material.
11. Does the Curriculum Provide Quizzes and Tests?
It’s important to ensure that the curriculum you choose has quizzes and tests. These can help you measure your student’s progress over time, as well as provide them with an opportunity to practice the concepts they have learned.
12. Is the Curriculum Flexible?
When selecting a homeschool math curriculum, make sure to look for one that is flexible. You should be able to adjust the pace, determine which topics to focus on, and customize the content for your student’s individual needs.
13. Does the Curriculum Have High-Quality Textbooks?
Textbooks can be an essential part of any homeschool math curriculum. Make sure to evaluate the quality of the textbooks included in the curriculum, as well as the layout, design, and readability.
14. Does the Curriculum Offer Online Tools?
Online tools can be incredibly helpful when teaching math at home. Look for an online curriculum that offers online games, videos, and activities to occupy and engage your student.
15. Does the Curriculum Offer Live Sessions?
Live sessions with teachers can be incredibly helpful, especially if your student is having difficulty understanding certain topics. Evaluate the availability of live sessions with teachers when selecting a homeschool math curriculum.
Conclusion
Choosing the right homeschool math curriculum for a student who is behind can be a daunting task. However, by asking yourself the above questions, you can make an informed decision that is tailored to your student’s individual needs.
With the right homeschool math curriculum, your student can master the topics they need to learn and progress successfully.