Math Task Force Report and Proposal

Task force members: Lou Stachowiak, Becky Paschal, Sadie Peterson, Galadriel Simons, and Kelli Renfro

Background: CHA currently uses Dimensions math curriculum for grades 1-3. While there are many positive aspects, we have found this curriculum to be quite challenging and not user-friendly for parents. CHA currently uses Saxon in grades 4-6 & Pre-Algebra, however, Saxon is no longer being published, making obtaining books very expensive and difficult. Therefore, the Math Task Force was formed to find a new math curriculum for grades 1-6. 

Goal:
To find a new math curriculum for grades 1-6 that meets the following criteria:
-teaches conceptual understanding
-takes a mastery based approach (where concepts are taught in units), to stay true to our classical model of education
-is user-friendly for parents and equips parents to partner with us in teaching math
-reasonably priced

Process: The Math Task Force was formed in September. We began by compiling a list of math curricula used by six private schools in our area. The task force divided the list and added a few homeschool curricula to research. We reported our findings back to the task force and narrowed our list of considerations. Findings are listed below. 

Curricula we considered…

1. Envision- (used by St. John’s) We loved this curriculum. It is a conceptual approach, the workbook also comes with an online subscription each year, lots of resources, etc. What we didn’t love was the cost of the teacher’s manuals, at $700, the price took this curriculum out of the running.

 

1. McGraw Hill (used by Gerstell) They do still offer physical textbooks, but are going in the direction of ebooks (like many other publishers!). The textbooks are a bit pricey, although this is a solid curriculum, we liked other options better.

 

1. Bob Jones- (homeschool curriculum) This curriculum made it into the final three, we did like that it is workbook based, unit based, and met most of our criteria. In the end, we just liked another option better.

 

1. Horizon (homeschool curriculum)- With lots of pages of repetitious work, we did not find this curriculum engaging or easily adapted to the classroom as we wanted.

 

1. Abeka (used by St. Stephens) Abeka is colorful and workbook-based, however, it takes a cyclical approach which we are trying to get away from. 

 

1. McDougal Littell (used by Liberty Christian) This publisher is also going to ebooks. We wish to stay with physical textbooks.

 

1. Houghton Mifflin (used by Mt. Airy Christian Academy) has merged with McDougal Littell. 

 

1. Singapore Primary Mathematics (homeschool curriculum) The current version of Singapore that we use, Dimensions, is the classroom edition (and is much more challenging than the original). The Singapore method is not the problem, but perhaps the version we chose. We did consider trying the original Singapore Primary Mathematics curriculum, which is geared towards homeschoolers, but decided some people have a negative association with the name Singapore, and it might be best to go with a new curriculum altogether. 

 

1. Math with Confidence (homeschool curriculum)- The winner! Published by The Well Trained Mind, this curriculum meets all of our criteria!  See the full assessment below.

Proposal…
Math with Confidence, teaches a conceptual approach, is unit-based, and is designed for homeschool families. The instructor’s guide provides a script to teach from, so tutors and parents can partner together to teach math through the week. We found the instructor’s guide to be extremely user-friendly. There are 4 lessons per week, with an additional, optional enrichment lesson each week. Students use a workbook, concepts are taught in chapters and there is daily review. Workbooks are $17 each, the instructor’s guide is $24, the curriculum is 32 weeks long. This curriculum is published by a Well Trained Mind Press and the methodology is consistent with the Classical model of education. Currently, levels K-3 grade are available. Grade 4 will be released this summer with Grade 5 in summer of 2025 and Grade 6 being available in the summer of 2026.

You can read more at: https://kateshomeschoolmath.com/math-with-confidence-homeschool-math-curriculum/ 
“Flip through” videos are also available on Youtube of grade levels 1 & 2.
Purchasing information: https://welltrainedmind.com/?s=math+with+confidence

We propose using Math with Confidence beginning in the fall of 2024 for grades 1-4 (with the Kindergarten level being on the “suggested list”) and adding 5th grade in fall of 2025. Finally, in the fall of 2026, 6th grade can be added. 

Next Steps:

A search for a few Pre-Algebra textbook will be our next task!
This proposal was accepted and adopted by the Board of Directors on 3/11/2024.

This is part of the Board Bits: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks series. Is there a question about CHA or homeschool that you would like answered?
Submit inquiries to Tracey at [email protected]