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Note: this article is part of a series on homeschool math curriculums for struggling students. This article discusses elementary math curriculums. If you have an older child, check out our articles Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Struggling Students – Middle School and Best Homeschool High School Math for Struggling Students.
- Best All-Around: Saxon Math
- Best Story-Based Program: Life of Fred Elementary and Life of Fred Intermediate Series, Stanley F. Schmidt
- Best for Visual and Kinesthetic Learners: Math-U-See, Demme Learning
Math is one of those subjects that can be frustrating for many kids, and often for their parents, as well. Frequently, this is because of the ways math is taught in traditional school settings. A large class of students makes for many different learning styles and levels of understanding, but with only one teacher, one state-approved curriculum, and a limited amount of time per day, it is impossible for teachers (even the very best ones) to meet the specific learning needs of each child in a typical public school classroom.
One of the wonderful things about homeschooling is the opportunity it provides parents to really meet their children’s specific learning needs. When it comes to math, homeschooling allows us to meet our children at their exact level and introduce material through whatever methods best suit their individual learning styles. This kind of customized education is especially valuable when it comes to math because children vary so much in the ways they learn and absorb math concepts.
In this article, we’ll tell you about three of our favorite homeschool math curriculums for struggling elementary students. If you have older kids, check out our articles Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Struggling Students – Middle School and Best Homeschool High School Math for Struggling Students.
Best All-Around
We chose Saxon Math as our favorite all-around math program for struggling students because of the way it is designed to help kids really build confidence in their math skills. Saxon Math has long been one of the most popular homeschool math curriculums on the market because of its approachable format and effective methods. Concepts are taught and then frequently reviewed using a spiral method that ensures students fully understand the material. Manipulatives are frequently used to illustrate concepts, and the program is generally good for all types of learners.
Saxon Math K
Saxon Math 1
Saxon Math 2
If your student struggles with math, it is especially important that you make sure he or she is understanding one math concept before moving on to the next. It is also important to revisit the concept on a regular basis so that students don’t forget what they have learned. Saxon Math is designed to make this easy, introducing concepts in a step-by-step, incremental format, then frequently reviewing the concept again. As students master math concepts one at a time, they gain confidence in their abilities, are able to work more independently, and enjoy math more because it is something they understand rather than struggle with.
Saxon Math 3
Saxon Math 5/4
Saxon Math 6/5
For younger elementary students (grades K-3), parents will need to be more involved in the program, as much of the instruction in scripted. Around fourth grade, students can begin using the program with much more independence. A homeschool edition of this curriculum is available at each grade level. However, Saxon also offers an alternative series called “Saxon Intermediate” for grades 3-5. Saxon Intermediate is basically a homeschool adaptation of the company’s public school curriculum, and it aligns with Common Core standards. The text for Saxon Intermediate is hardcover and more colorful, and some parents prefer this to the scripted teacher’s manual included in the traditional homeschool edition.
Each course requires two to four books, as well as manipulatives, which can be purchased in a kit. Here are the materials required for each level of the program:
Kindergarten: Saxon Math K, Home Study Kit
Grade 1: Saxon Math 1, Home Study Kit
Grade 2: Saxon Math 2, Home Study Kit
Grade 3: Saxon Math 3, Home Study Kit OR Saxon Math Intermediate 3 Complete Homeschool Kit
Grade 4: Saxon Math 5/4 Homeschool Kit OR Saxon Math Intermediate 4 Homeschool Kit
Grade 5: Saxon Math 6/5 Home Study Kit OR Saxon Math Intermediate 5 Homeschool Kit
The manipulatives needed for each of the grade K-3 homeschool courses can be purchased in kits here.
Best Story-Based Program
Life of Fred Elementary and Life of Fred Intermediate Series, Stanley F. Schmidt
If your child consistently complains that “math is boring” and struggles to understand how it relates to real life, consider the wonderfully unconventional Life of Fred series by Stanley F. Schmidt. Written in the style of a funny novel, Life of Friend tells the story of Fred Gauss, a six-year-old math professor who encounters the need for math as he goes through his daily life. Math concepts are taught through the storyline, as Fred has to work out how to solve his problems with math, and students are challenged to help him.
Life of Fred was first designed for older students, among whom it became an extremely popular homeschool curriculum. It is now available for elementary students, as well, where it employs a similar format and instructional method but is geared towards younger kids. The series goes back in time, where Fred is now five years old instead of six. While lessons are short and fun, they are also extremely well designed: students learn one concept at a time and receive a complete math curriculum through this program.
Elementary set
The Life of Fred elementary series includes ten books which, depending on your child’s speed, can be finished in 12-18 months. The series is recommended for kids in grades 1-4. For older elementary students and those who have completed the elementary series, the Life of Fred intermediate series can be used. The intermediate program is recommended for grades 4-6 and, like the elementary series, covers a range of math concepts through Fred’s quirky adventures while also introducing interesting facts about science and other subjects.
Intermediate set
The Life of Fred elementary series can be purchased as a complete set, or you can just begin by purchasing the first book, Life of Fred: Apples. There are three books in the intermediate series, the first of which is Life of Fred: Kidneys. These are also available as a set.
Best for Visual and Kinesthetic Learners
Math-U-See, Demme Learning
If your child is a visual, kinesthetic learner, consider the excellent Math-U-See program by Demme Learning. Math-U-See is one of the most popular homeschool math programs because of its unique hands-on approach to teaching math. Whereas many homeschool math programs use a spiral approach wherein concepts are taught, retaught, and frequently reviewed, Math-U-See uses an incremental approach wherein particular concepts are taught at each grade level. For the most effective experience, therefore, this program should be used for at least a few years so that the can student learn and master various concepts one at a time.
As its name implies, this program focuses on helping students really understand the math concepts they are learning in a visual and tactile way. This curriculum thus relies heavily on its integer block manipulative kit. This kit is used at every level of the program, so you’ll only need to purchase it once, and siblings can easily share one kit. The manipulatives make for a learning experience that is not only visual but also strongly kinesthetic and sensory in nature. Students who struggle with traditional textbook curriculums tend to do very well with Math-U-See.
This program is nicely structured and requires little prep time on the part of parents. Lessons consist of a combination of DVD instruction, manipulative demonstration, and written exercises using a workbook. Visual learners really thrive with the DVD lessons, which provide effective visual models of the math concept being taught.
Math-U-See offers six levels for elementary students:
- Primer (grades PK-K)
- Alpha (grades K-1)
- Beta (grades 2-3)
- Gamma (grades 3-4)
- Delta (grades 4-5)
- Epsilon (grades 5-6).
If you aren’t sure at which level you should start your student, you can find assessment tests at the Math-U-See website. For the most convenience, purchase the universal set appropriate to your child’s level, which includes the integer block kit, DVD lessons, instruction manual, student workbook, test booklet, and access to supplementary online material. If you already have an integer block kit, you can purchase the corresponding Level Up set instead.
Conclusion
If your student struggles with math, you are not alone. The methods used for math instruction in traditional schools often fail to help kids who learn differently or just need to be better shown why math matters. Fortunately, there are some excellent homeschool math curriculums that can help. If you have an older student, check out our other articles on this subject: Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Struggling Students – Middle School and Best Homeschool High School Math for Struggling Students.