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Our picks for the best pre-algebra homeschool curriculum:
- Best Traditional Program: Saxon Math 8/7
- Best for Visual and Kinesthetic Learners: Math-U-See Pre-Algebra
- Best for Struggling Students: Life of Fred Pre-Algebra
- Best for Advanced Math Students: Art of Problem Solving Prealgebra
What is Pre-Algebra and How to Teach it in the Homeschool Setting
Pre-algebra is a math course typically taught in the middle school years, after students have learned basic elementary math. It typically covers integers, fractions and decimals, variables and expressions, basic geometry concepts, graphing, probability and statistics, and ratios, proportions, and percentages. Overall, pre-algebra provides a solid foundation for students before they move onto more advanced math courses in high school, such as algebra and geometry. It is an important course for developing a strong understanding of math concepts and skills that will be useful in a variety of contexts.
If your homeschooled student is ready for pre-algebra, you’ll have lots of great curriculum options to choose from. In this article, we’ll tell you about four of the best homeschool pre-algebra curriculums. You’ll want to think about your child’s strengths and learning needs and your own teaching style to determine which of these would fit best in your homeschool. For suggestions on math manipulatives that can be useful in the middle school years, check out Best Math Manipulatives for Middle Schoolers. And if your student struggles in math, you might want to read Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Struggling Students – Middle School.
Best Traditional Program
If you’re looking for a solid pre-algebra homeschool program, consider Saxon Math’s 8/7 program. Saxon 8/7 covers a wide range of topics, including integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, equations, inequalities, functions, and more. The curriculum is divided into 120 lessons, with each lesson covering a specific topic and building upon previous lessons.
One of the key features of Saxon Math is its spiral approach. Throughout the curriculum, students review previously learned concepts and skills to reinforce their understanding and retention. This helps to build a strong foundation of math skills that students can continue to build upon as they progress through higher-level math courses. Saxon 8/7 also includes a variety of practice problems and assessments to help students reinforce their learning and track their progress. The curriculum includes daily practice sets, cumulative assessments, and mid-term and final exams.
Saxon 8/7 is easy for parents to follow, offering an organized structure and requiring only minimal parental preparation. It includes a teacher’s edition, which provides detailed lesson plans, teaching tips, and answer keys for all of the practice problems and assessments. The lesson plans are clearly laid out and easy to follow, and the curriculum includes step-by-step instructions for each lesson. It also includes daily practice sets and assessments, making grading and record-keeping a breeze.
Overall, Saxon 8/7 is a comprehensive pre-algebra curriculum that provides a strong foundation in math concepts and skills. Its incremental approach and spiral review make it an effective choice for homeschoolers looking to build a solid math foundation for their students.
To begin Saxon Math 8/7, you’ll need to purchase the home study kit, which includes the Student Text, the Tests and Worksheets Booklet, and the Solutions Manual. For additional instruction, consider purchasing the accompanying DIVE CD-Rom, which demonstrates the concepts in whiteboard format, or the Teaching Tape DVD set, which features a state-certified teacher explaining each concept being taught.
Best for Visual and Kinesthetic Learners
Another great option, especially if your student is a visual or kinesthetic learner, is Math-U-See Pre-Algebra. Known for its mastery-based program, Math-U-See is a popular choice among homeschoolers. Its pre-algebra course covers a range of topics, including integers, fractions, decimals, percents, proportions, algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, and more. The curriculum is divided into 30 lessons, with each lesson building on the previous one to provide a comprehensive understanding of concepts and skills. The program is easy for both parents and students to follow. It includes fantastic video lessons, a variety of practice problems to help reinforce learning, and assessments (such as mid-term and final exams) that allow parents to easily track their kids’ progress.
Math-U-See Pre-Algebra is particularly well-suited to visual and kinesthetic learners because of its integer block manipulative kit, which is used at all levels of the program to demonstrate math concepts in a hands-on, tactile way. The manipulative kit can be especially helpful for students who struggle with abstract math concepts or have difficulty visualizing mathematical relationships. The use of the color-coded manipulatives is great for helping visual learners make connections between different math concepts. The curriculum also includes visual aids such as diagrams and illustrations to reinforce learning. For kinesthetic learners, the act of physically manipulating the blocks helps cement these concepts and develops a stronger understanding of the underlying principles being taught.
Overall, Math-U-See Pre-Algebra is a comprehensive math curriculum that provides a strong foundation in math concepts and skills. Its use of manipulatives and mastery-based approach to learning make it an effective choice for homeschoolers looking for a hands-on, engaging math program. It is especially well-suited to visual, kinesthetic learners and other students who struggle with traditional math programs.
Best for Struggling Students
If your child struggles with traditional math curriculum, consider the wonderful pre-algebra program offered by Life of Fred. The Life of Fred series uses a narrative format to teach math concepts, with each lesson telling a story that incorporates math problems and exercises. These stories are fun and entertaining, featuring the character of Fred, a five-year-old math genius who encounters the need for math as he goes about his everyday life. Students follow along and help solve these math challenges. This is a great program for kids that struggle to see the real-world applications of math.
The Life of Fred Pre-Algebra series consists of five courses, typically used in grades 5-9. Each course is short, taking less than a quarter of a year to complete – meaning that the entire sequence can probably be completed in one school year (or slightly longer), depending on the student’s pace. Topics covered include fractions, decimals, percentages, integers, algebraic expressions, equations, graphing, and more. The curriculum is divided into chapters, with each chapter covering a different topic and incorporating multiple math concepts. Also included are a variety of practice problems and assessments to help students reinforce their learning and track their progress. The curriculum includes daily “Your Turn to Play” exercises, as well as end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam. Additionally, “Zillions of Practice Problems” books can be purchased for each course.
Overall, Life of Fred Pre-Algebra is a creative and engaging math curriculum that can be a good fit for homeschooling families looking for a non-traditional approach to math instruction. Courses can be purchased individually or as a complete pre-algebra set. Additional practice problems books are also available.
Best for Advanced Math Students
Art of Problem Solving Prealgebra
The Art of Problem Solving Prealgebra curriculum is a comprehensive and challenging math program designed for advanced or gifted students who are ready to delve into algebraic concepts. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including integers, fractions, decimals, equations, inequalities, and graphing. Like other courses in this series, the pre-algebra one is designed to be interactive and engaging, with a strong emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The curriculum includes a variety of challenging problems and exercises, as well as opportunities for students to explore and discover math concepts on their own.
One of the unique features of the Art of Problem Solving Prealgebra is its focus on mathematical reasoning and logic. The curriculum encourages students to approach math problems in a logical and systematic way and to develop their own problem-solving strategies and techniques. This program is intended for students who have a strong foundation in basic math concepts and skills and are ready to tackle more advanced algebraic concepts. It is a rigorous program and an excellent fit for advanced math students who enjoy being challenged.
Conclusion
There are many great pre-algebra homeschool curriculums to choose from. Be sure to check out our related articles: Best Math Manipulatives for Middle Schoolers, Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Middle School, and Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Struggling Students – Middle School.