I thought that, since we're several weeks into our homeschool, and since I've been so lax at posting personal things, that it might be good to share some of the curriculum choices that we've made for this year.  Sure, they are listed in my left-hand sidebar; but the list contains no detail.  So, I'm going to start this week by sharing about our choices for math . . .

Ashley is starting off this year with Practical Accounting Fundamentals from Insight Technical Education.  She was really struggling with Algebra toward the end of last year (we were using Videotext); and we both felt that we needed to start off this year with something new and fresh.  I think we thought that Accounting would be more simple, since it's practical math.  But, since I went the academic route in high school, the only practical math I ever took was an "extra credit" in Consumer Math.  Accounting is all new to me.  Fortunately, though, Brian works in the accounting field, so he has pretty much taken over the teaching of math so far this year.  Since he's taken over, I've seen the  come on for Ashley. 

This book is short and won't take all year to complete - maybe 1/2 the year, depending on how much "extra stuff" Brian adds in.  He's  been creating some of his own worksheets to go alongside this program, and having her work through them without the  book.  So far, though, we've been pleased with the program overall; and the change of pace has been a good one.  I believe that, if Ashley would happen to pursue anything in a math field, it would be something more practical, like accounting. 

Some members of the Homeschool Crew reviewed this and some other items from Insight Technical Education last year.  If you'd like to read their reviews, click here.

Gracie is using Abeka Arithmetic 5.  This approach to math did NOT work for Ashley - it was WAY too tedious.  However, Gracie LOVES math - it's the first thing she wants to do in school each day.  Several times I've suggested just doing every other problem, and she refuses!  My motto is "if it's not broken, don't fix it" - since this approach works for her, we stick with it, year after year.  She doesn't even mind doing the speed drills - though we never actually time her.  So, we'll continue with Abeka for her, at least through 6th grade.  Then, we'll reevaluate and see where we want to go from there.

I'm not doing "serious school" with Ian, but he is interested and wants to be doing what the girls are doing.  Last year, as part of the Crew, I received Mathematical Reasoning from The Critical Thinking Company.  Ian is using this book, along with some other sources that I find here and there.  He's doing great with shapes and colors, and he can count to 10 with a tiny bit of help.  His counting has really improved thanks to the dvd we received from Math Tutor DVD (previously reviewed here).  It's too early in the game to know where we're heading with Ian; but for now, he's happy, which makes me happy. 

If you'd like to see the Crew's reviews of the math products from Critical Thinking, click here.

What are YOU using for Math this year?  I'd love to hear about it.  Please leave a comment.

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