What maths should I use for my kids?
It's a common questions asked by many parents, both mums and dads alike. "What maths should I use for my kids?" Especially when your kids are struggling with finger counting and Place Value, or starting to hate maths, it's probably time for a new approach.
I know for my kids, when I realised they couldn't understand Place Value; when they always used their fingers to count, and couldn't do simple sums, I got worried.
As a parent, it's part of the pain and the pleasure to know that you're responsible for bringing up your kids and teaching them what they need for their future life, as a well-educated, successful adult. It's hard when you don't know what to do or where to turn for help when things start getting tough.
How do you choose the right maths for your kids?
But there's so much pressure to choose the 'right' curriculum'; to make your kids happy; to ensure they understand what they're being taught and can use it in everyday life - and that's the same for any topic.
You don't want them to get 100% on a weekly maths test, yet still be unable to work out how many apples you need for a week (that's a simple equation... number of people in the house x days of the week = total amount of apples needed).
You also don't want to choose the wrong curriculum and waste your money on something your kids don't like and don't engage with. It's a really hard decision and can get overwhelming with the number of choices, opinions and online discussions about maths programs!
Why homeschool using Math-U-See?
Well, if you haven't heard about it from your friends already, there are quite a few reasons why it's one of the most popular maths programs on the market. Internationally, the
Math-U-See program is used by thousands of parents, teachers, tutors and intervention specialists alike for great results.
So many parents have tried other maths programs that usually offer maths online (which doesn't give your child the foundational and tactile understanding of numbers) and spend years going through program after program, without success.
The reason the Math-U-See program works so well is because it's based on research-proven methodology. It works with each individual student, at their own pace, to achieve mastery of each topic before moving onto the next. It has been well-documented that teaching maths using manipulatives, at the students' pace, allows for much easier understanding and retention of knowledge.
The manipulatives are our starting point for each maths lesson, every single time, because these hands-on tools include all the best aspects about multisensory learning. It means your student gets the concept on a much deeper level.
What are the benefits of the program?
The best thing is, you don't need any prior experience with maths (we've had mums from business consultations to those who didn't pass maths class at school using the program)! It's simple and effective, and shows you through each lesson step-by-step. There are also online video lessons that you can watch with your student. It's like having a private tutor on hand whenever you need, without the price tag attached.
The following features are included in the program:
Any student can use the Math-U-See program for better maths results. Because of the way maths is taught using step-by-step methodology and combined with a hands-on, tactile approach, it's accessible for any child, no matter what age, grade level or learning ability. The program is also specifically effective for those with dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning differences.
Maths doesn't need to be a hard topic, or something that you and your kids dread. It can be fun, easy and engaging - it's just up to you to join thousands of homeschool parents across Australia using Math-U-See with great success.
How are maths topics taught?
Simple concepts like Place Value are taught using a structured concept called 'Decimal Street' (with a simple diagrammatic representation of moving houses because one house is too full). This simple concept is reinforced throughout ongoing lessons, and really helps kids solidify their understanding of place value.
Here's a short video explanation of how Place Value is taught:
When you homeschool using Math-U-See, you get a complete curriculum, covering preschool and primary years to advanced and even University-level maths. It's designed so you don't have to chop and change maths programs when your kids reach high school and secondary school maths.
It's sequential and student-paced learning
Each concept builds firmly on one another, so kid's don't move forward until they have mastered a topic (that means you don't have to get to highschool and go all the way back to the beginning because they're still finger counting!)
More complex concepts like algebra, decimals and percents are also taught using hands-on manipulatives and follow step-by-step instructions in the advanced levels. The same manipulatives are used in the advanced level, reinforcing colour and number recognition and hands-on learning.
Don't know where to start?
Take our easy diagnostic test to see where your student is at
with their maths.
The Online Placement Tests are simple to use and your student's results are automatically calculated. You'll know where to start and what to do to fill in their gaps of maths understanding.
It's such a great program and you couldn't get any better. But, don't take my word for it. Try it yourself and see if your kids are engaged and excited about maths.... they will be!
Leave any questions in the comments below and we'll get back to you
Warmly,
The Team at Maths Australia