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Homeschool Curriculum Reviews > What About High School Math?
What About High School Math?
Do you have concerns about teaching high school level math at home?
By Wynne and Harriet Yoder
Many homeschoolers have concerns about teaching upper level
math at home. Sometimes this can be the deciding factor about whether to
continue to homeschool your children during high school. Don't give up
because math is a difficult subject for you. There are several ways to be
successful at teaching high school math at home in order to keep on
homeschooling through high school. Here are our suggestions:
DIVE CDs with Saxon Math
There are DIVE CDs that help with
Saxon Math, if your children do well with it.
Every level of Saxon Math from 54 and up now has a solution manual where the
steps to solve the problems are shown.
Ask Dr. Callahan
Ask Dr. Callahan
offers DVD instruction for Geometry,
Algebra 2 with Trigonometry, and
Calculus.
We carry the Harold Jacobs Geometry used in
the Geometry course, as well as the
Ask Dr. Callahan Geometry DVD.
Saxon Math Homeschool Teacher Lesson and Test CDs
For Saxon Algebra 1 and 2, both 3rd Ed., the
Homeschool Teacher Lesson and
Test CDs will provide your student with instruction for every lesson. The
instructor also shows how to work each problem in the text. CDs for the Advanced
Math is coming soon. If you need "teacher" instruction for Saxon Math, this is
one solution for you and your student.
Saxon Math Homeschool Teacher Lesson and Test CDs are now available for
Saxon Math 87.
Key to Geometry and Key to Algebra
There are
Key to Geometry
and Key to Algebra
which we like for two purposes. First if your student is not going to
college and needs to meet the algebra or geometry requirements, then Key to
Algebra and Key to Geometry will work. If your student is on the academic
track for college, I recommend these courses as prep courses for algebra and
geometry.
Math Flippers
If your student needs help to learn math terms and formulas,
you might like the Math Flippers®, a useful
reference that fits in a 3-ring notebook. Access terms, definitions, and
formulas to refresh your memory. There are Flippers for all the different levels
of math including geometry, calculus, financial accounting and more.
Traditional High School Math Curriculum
Some curriculum publishers offer traditional math curriculum.
Bob Jones University Press Mathematics for grades
9 to 12 is a more traditional textbook approach. With Teacher's Guides and tests
you should be able to teach the different levels if you have a good background
in math. Another curriculum that is more traditional is
Lifepac Math from Alpha Omega.
Hire a Tutor
Hire a tutor to help the ones who need help. This has to be
cheaper than private schooling! If funding is a problem, then check with friends
and family. Maybe you can find a volunteer who would donate time and talent to
help your student.
Homeschool Co-op Classes
Find or start a homeschool co-op that offers a math course.
Take Math Class at a Christian or Private School
Your local Christian school might let your students take
their math class.
Take Math Class at a Public School
In Pennsylvania (and perhaps some other states), the public
schools will allow homeschoolers to take one or two classes on a space available
basis. I'm not really in favor of this, but it's been helpful in certain
situations. Math is a course that deals strictly with math and doesn't typically
get into controversial issues. Older students are usually more mature and have
immunity against the "stupids"--doing dumb things because of peer pressure.
Other Options
Some companies have videos or satellite instruction. They are
expensive and often leased for only one year's use. |