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Math Curriculum for 4th - 6th (or until ready for Pre-Algebra)

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Before you start algebra, your student should be well grounded in his basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, percentages, exponents, ratios, probability, and simple geometry). These skills are usually mastered between first and sixth grade. However, some students master basic arithmetic as early as fourth or fifth grade and some as late as eighth grade.

Following is my recommendations of textbooks for each grade level. Choose the one that is most beneficial for your child based on readiness and learning style. I recommend that you keep your child in his age-appropriate grade no matter which textbooks he is using. I do not recommend failing your child because he is working in a lower level textbook or passing them ahead a grade because he is working ahead. This puts undue pressure on most children. If your child is behind, he will eventually catch up to his grade level; or, if he is ahead, he will accomplish that much more before he graduates from high school. More on this in High School.

Check out Kahn Academy for FREE Math Lessons online! If you prefer a textbook series, I highly recommend the Math-U-See program. I wish this were available when I was teaching homeschool! It espeically works well for kids (and teaching moms) of Visual, Kinesthetic, and Auditory learning styles. (For your traditional Read/Write or advanced math students, see below.) It teaches with manipulatives for the Kinesthetic and Visual Learners and video instructions (VHS or DVD) & music (skip counting songs on cassette or CD) for the Auditory & Visual Learners. The teacher's manual includes instructions and the answers. The student workbook includes practice pages and review. There are three practice pages for each lesson so that you child can do one or more depending on his particular needs. Following the practice pages, there are three review pages which includes one or more problems from the current lesson as well as one or more problems from all the previous lessons so that your child will not forget what he learned earlier in the year. Again, you decide how many problems your child needs to do. I also love the way Mr. Demme integrates learning time & measurements into the curriculum. It's very effective! This is my favorite math textbook series available. The only thing that could make it better would be color illustrations to appeal to us artistic types!

I also like the Saxon Math curriculum starting with Saxon 5/4, after kids learn their basic math facts. I like the way they incorporate repetition of each skills learned as you progress through the book.

Saxon Sale, 35% Off

Fourth Grade:

  • Horizons Math, Grade 4, Complete Set Answers are included. If this seems too simple for your child, skip to Horizon Math 5. Colorful illustrations make this series an excellent choice for your Read/Write, Visual and advanced student.

  • Horizons Math, Grade 3, Complete Set Use this for 4th grade for your slower-pace child. Answers are included. You will probably be able to skip to Horizon Math, Grade 5 next year and get back on grade level. If not, wait one more year, then skip a grade. Colorful illustrations make this series an excellent choice for your Read/Write, Visual and advanced student.

  • Math 54. The Saxon math program is an excellent math program for the Read/Write learner and advanced student.

  • Teaching Textbooks - online math learning with visuals, audio, and assignments. For both PC and Macintosh.

  • For the advanced student or student who would like a challenge, I highly recommend Don Cohen's Calculus By and For Young People. This program is designed for ages 7 and up, yes 7!. It's fantastic! I can't wait to try this on my granddaughter when she gets this age. Purchase at his website.

  • For extra work on fractions, decimals, percents, see Enrichment Resources below.

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Fifth Grade:

  • Horizons Math, Grade 5, Complete Set . Answers are included. Colorful illustrations make this series an excellent choice for your Read/Write, Visual and advanced student.

  • Horizons Math, Grade 4, Complete Set. Use this for 5th grade for your slower-pace child. Answers are included. You will probably be able to skip to Horizon Math, Grade 6 next year and get back on grade level. If not, wait one more year, then skip a grade. Colorful illustrations make this series an excellent choice for your Read/Write, Visual and advanced student and advanced student.

  • Math 65. The Saxon math program is an excellent math program for the Read/Write learner and advanced student.

  • Math U See Intermediate Mathematics. A great choice for the Kinesthetic, Visual, and Auditory learner. You can continue this series through 12th grade; however, you may want to move your child to either Horizons Math or Saxon Math in 5th or 6th grade to prevent him from getting too dependent upon manipulatives. Remember, the goal is to teach them to work in a Read/Write environment. For a currently homeschooling mom's review, click here.

  • Teaching Textbooks - online math learning with visuals, audio, and assignments. For both PC and Macintosh.

  • For the advanced student or student who would like a challenge, I highly recommend Don Cohen's Calculus By and For Young People. This program is designed for ages 7 and up, yes 7!. It's fantastic! I can't wait to try this on my granddaughter when she gets this age. Purchase at his website.

  • For extra work on fractions, decimals, percents, see Enrichment Resources below.

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Sixth Grade:

  • Horizons Math, Grade 6, Complete Set . Answers are included. If you want to continue with this program you can; or, if your child is ready, you can skip to any pre-algebra, pre-geometry program at this time. Colorful illustrations make this series an excellent choice for your Read/Write, Visual and advanced student.

  • Horizons Math, Grade 5, Complete Set Use this for sixth grade for your slower-pace child. Answers are included. You will probably be able to skip to Horizon Math, Grade 7 next year or any other pre-algebra program and get back on grade level. If not, wait one more year, then skip a grade. Colorful illustrations make this series an excellent choice for your Read/Write, Visual and advanced student.

  • Math 76. The Saxon math program is an excellent math program for the Read/Write learner and advanced student. If you want to continue with this program you can; or, if your child is ready, you can skip to any pre-algebra, pre-geometry program at this time

  • Teaching Textbooks - online math learning with visuals, audio, and assignments. For both PC and Macintosh.

  • Math 65. The Saxon math program is an excellent math program for the Read/Write learner and advanced student. Use this for sixth grade for your slower-pace child.

  • For the advanced student or student who would like a challenge, I highly recommend Don Cohen's Calculus By and For Young People. This program is designed for ages 7 and up, yes 7!. It's fantastic! I can't wait to try this on my granddaughter when she gets this age. Purchase at his website.

  • For extra work on fractions, decimals, percents, see Enrichment Resources below.

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Enrichment Resources for this level:

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What Next?

Once your child has mastered basic arithmetic, your child is ready for algebra, regardless of his grade level. The sooner he begins algebra, the more advanced math he can learn while still in high school. If your child is ready for algebra, please go to 7th -12th Curriculum Recommendations. If not, continue in the textbook series that works for him until he is ready.

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