MamaArcher's Blog

Curriculum Share: Teaching Textbooks

A new school year is underway.  Everyone has different schedules but most have begun their lessons.  There seems to always be some tweaking if not major changes at the beginning of each new year.  I am one who is pretty set in the curriculum I use but on occasion we do try something new.  It can be exciting to try something new but it can also be overwhelming.  The question that I most often ask myself when trying a new curriculum is am I really willing to pay for something that I know very little about.  I like to get my hands on the curriculum first.  I like to hear from those who have used it.  This however is not always feasible.

I thought that maybe it would nice to do a blog hop where we share one of our curriculum items that we just love!  That way other homeschoolers will have the opinions of those who have personally used them.  We can share a little about the curriculum, what we love about it, what we don’t like so much, how we tweak it if applicable, and anything else you may want to mention.  Write you blog post and be sure to sign the linky below.  You can even add the linky to your blog post as well.

My pick for this curriculum share is Teaching Textbooks.

We have tried several math programs over the years.  We have used Bob Jones, Rod & Staff, Mastering Mathematics, Horizon, and Calculadder until finally settling on Saxon Math.  We used Saxon for many years.  We were okay with it but had some frustrations.  Two years ago I came across Teaching Textbooks.  I was excited to try it but it is a little expensive.  I struggled with whether to pay the price to try it out.  I finally gave in and I am so glad that I did!  It is a program that is well worth the price.

Teaching Textbooks currently has ten levels of Math instruction starting with 3rd grade.  It is a computerized program.  The child watches the lesson on the computer and is also able to follow along in their workbook.  Once the lesson is complete the child will do the work.  In the younger grades the child can actually input their answer into the computer and their work will be corrected for you and their grades recorded.  There is a section with each program where the solutions to each problem is contained.  When the child has completed their work they can go back and watch the step by step solutions to the problems they missed.

The program is a bit pricey but to help keep cost down I simply have my children write their work on notebook paper rather than in the student book.  I can use the curriculum over and over again for other children.  So in the long run it is a great investment!

I have had no disappointments with this curriculum so far.  We have used six different levels.  It is definitely a benefit in those upper grades where my math skills have something to be desired!  The children get good explanation and detailed solutions when they are stuck.  Something that I have been unable to offer in the past.

The website offers placement tests and sample lessons.  This way you get more of a hands on look at the curriculum before investing.

There is my pick for this curriculum share!  Please leave me a comment and let me know if you have used this curriculum and your thoughts. I love comments and will return the gesture.

Make sure to write your own blog post highlighting one of your favorite curriculum items and sign the linky!  I would love to stop by and see your picks! Remember you can add the linky to your blog post too.

Let’s encourage one another by sharing what we have learned.  I know others would love to hear from you on your curriculum choices.