Non-mathy teacher, 6-8 curriculum help

[theGreenwood2]

Hi all,

My oldest is heading into 6th grade next year and I’m looking for some curriculum feedback. We’ve done Singapore Dimensions and are finishing up 5B this year. DS is doing well, and I feel confident that he’s mastering the material. I don’t want to keep going with Dimensions 6-8, since from what I’ve read there’s not enough support for *me* in the teacher’s manuals to help me confidently teach. Math is not my strong subject;I want to be hands on, but need support. 
 

I believe he’s ready for pre-Algebra in 6th grade. Any recommendations for strong 6th-8th grade math programs that have good support for the teacher? I’m looking at BJU (not online) or Singapore primary 6A/B + Jousting Armadillos, but then don’t know where to go after that 😅. Math Without Borders? Math Mammoth? 

Any advice or other suggestions would be much appreciated!  

[Ting Tang]

I have no good advice, but I am in the same situation. My son is actually using level 6 Master Books this year, and I also feel there is a lack of support.  It seems like in the middle grades, a lot of curriculums are geared towards the child being independent and teaching him/herself.  I've looked at Archi-Math and Right Start Math, but those lack a true teacher's manual. I am wondering if I should return to Abeka or BJU.  BJU is revising its 6th and 7th grade math, and so the new versions will be available for next school year it looks like.  I believe the pre-algebra comes after 7th.  I know Singapore is a different style, and BJU is more "traditional."  I am leaning towards starting my son in 7th since there is some algebra included in it.  I did well in math in school, but I need help teaching it and knowing the right way to explain things.  I love the idea of teaching algebra through geometry like you see with Archi-Math, Right Start, and Singapore----but there just doesn't seem to be the right teacher support for people who want it. Also, my son is NOT independent. He is in 4th grade, and I do not see that changing in the next year or two.  

[EKS]

The best way to deal with a lack of teacher support is to work well ahead of your student.  You can't teach something you don't know yourself, regardless of what's in the teacher's manual.  You can't grade it properly either.

As for the working independently thing--it's a totally ridiculous expectation.  The only reason that the idea is so entrenched in the homeschooling community is that it's the only way to approach math if the parent is unwilling to learn the math themselves and is also unwilling to enroll their student in a real class.

Derek Owens Prealgebra is excellent, btw.  Jacobs Algebra has the algebra part of prealgebra built in, and the problem sets are brilliant.  It would be a good choice if your student has mastered the arithmetic part of prealgebra.  

 

Edited December 22, 2021 by EKS

[ScoutTN]

If you decide you want to outsource math and are ok with a Christian provider, we have had an excellent experience with Wilson Hill Academy. My Dd has done Pre-A through Pre-Cal there, learning well and enjoying her teachers. They use Dolciani texts for all Algebra, Jurgensen for Geometry and Larson for Pre-Cal.

[Ting Tang]

7 hours ago, EKS said:

The best way to deal with a lack of teacher support is to work well ahead of your student.  You can't teach something you don't know yourself, regardless of what's in the teacher's manual.  You can't grade it properly either.

As for the working independently thing--it's a totally ridiculous expectation.  The only reason that the idea is so entrenched in the homeschooling community is that it's the only way to approach math if the parent is unwilling to learn the math themselves and is also unwilling to enroll their student in a real class.

Derek Owens Prealgebra is excellent, btw.  Jacobs Algebra has the algebra part of prealgebra built in, and the problem sets are brilliant.  It would be a good choice if your student has mastered the arithmetic part of prealgebra.  

 

I think that is a good point, that we must understand it to teach it.  I certainly didn't teach myself math, so I really don't expect to put my son into that situation.  Math is such an important subject, and I think that is why I am doing a lot of deliberating on it.  I liked Abeka because I felt like I had a lot of tools for teaching, but sometimes it felt like a lot of moving parts.  I realize now it was much more effective than our Master Books curriculum.  We switched because we'd have gone from a revised version to an unrevised grade level. Thank you for that tidbit on Jacob's--I didn't realize it had pre-algebra built into it.  

[Green Bean]

Dimensions has teaching videos for 6.

http://dmathome6.singaporemath.com/

singaporemathlive has teaching vids for 7 and 8.

https://singaporemathlive.com/dimensions/

 

[BusyMom5]

Maybe look at Math in Focus?  I tend to use a mix of things in the PreAl stage- Jousting Armadillos,  MM sections that need extra reinforcement,  and Saxon 87 and/or PreAl.  It all depends on the kid.  I want a very solid foundation before moving into Algebra.