Teaching Textbooks Math 5

by Tiffani W on 2012-02-09
We have used TT now for 2 years after years of trying to find a program that works well for my second child (who is very weak in math). We have used Singapore, Miquon, RightStart and even dabbled in Saxon looking for something that would work! My oldest does very well in this (has done well in whatever program we have used) because he moves at his own pace and doesn't have to wait for my time to get his work done. With a large family it also works well for me. He is in 7th grade and just started Pre-Algrebra. My second son is in 6th grade and doing math 5. It sounds terrible because that would put him WAY behind (according to previous comments about this program being behind), however, because he can do it without frequent breakdowns I am totally fine with that. We are working for comprehension, not to keep up with standard tests (especially in his case). I'm VERY thankful for this program!!

by Jennifer P on 2011-11-18
I am so disappointed that I used this curriculum for a year and then the sixth grade book for a semester. My son switched from Horizon based on the recommendation of Sonlight. It was so nice for him to do his lessons on the computer, especially with a new baby. However, I did not realize how far behind he was falling in math. He was doing a grade level ahead in this and still his standardized test scores went down significantly after using this. I thought I would give it one more chance this year because it was so highly rated. However, my son asked for something more challenging. He was bored with the "fun" of this curriculum. I do not recommend it at all. The only reason I have given it two stars is because it is simple to use. The simplicity did not make up for the lack of learning in my opinion.

by Philip H on 2011-09-18
I am sympathetic to the comments of those saying this program is behind grade level. I agree with that, but we still LOVE this program. I have compensated by putting my boys in books a grade or two above their grade level. My 7th grader is easily conquering the end of the 8th grade book which is pre-algebra, and I feel that is right where he should be for 7th grade. Before the 7th grade school year is over, he will be well into Algebra (which is grade 9 for TT) Both the boys learn easily from the CD ROM and conquer tough concepts with little difficulty. Another thing we do: When we get a new book, we don't bother with all the review. I have them take a quiz a day until I find where they should be in the new book. This also helped them to move through quickly and be "ahead" by TT standards.

by Jessica L on 2011-06-02
We tried this for 4th and fifth grade. My girls really love Horizons so this was way to easy for them, and they were bored, and begged to go back to Horizons. We switched back half way through the year, and I was shocked how much my girls missed and lost we had to really back track in Horizons. I would say this program seems to be at least two grade levels below horizons if not more. In fifth grade Horizons my oldest was doing long division - in fifth grade the first half TT wasn't even to multiplication. My daughter felt she was losing the math she had learned to play a fun but non-challenging game.

by TIMOTHY H on 2010-11-03
I work with computers and love the way this is setup for the Children to use, but I make sure the children still write out the problems. It has been a great program and have used "math 4" through "algebra 2" for our four children. I recommend this for any parent to use but do recommend they oversee the progress and make sure they are doing well and understanding the math which is true for any math curriculum. I also recommend doing the placement test as each child is different in their learning ability. I give it 5 stars.

by "LEA WILLIAMSON" W on 2010-08-14
A few people have mentioned that this program was too easy, so I wanted to mention something that has helped us. We have done this program now for 3 years, with 2 kids so far. When we started out we did the placement tests not based on their grade level but by how well they did. So I had to go 2 yrs above the grade of my child. They have done awesome in standardized tests and we plan on doing it again this year.

by CHANTAL V on 2009-07-27
My dd did the Grade 5 Math in Grade 5. She is neither strong nor weak in math. After this year though, she has some catching up to do either with Keys to... or MathMammoth. TT is easy on the parent *and* the child; almost too easy. There is no 'hands-on' componant, as everything is done on the computer. So measuring, geometry is very weak. Like stated before, I like it because it freed me up. I don't like it, since it's basicly a wasted year, having to catch her up to her Grade level this year. My other dd did the Pre-Algebra level (all out of her book; didn't like using the cd-rom). She has used Singapore in earlier levels and this was a very easy year for her as well. I don't know if there is a big difference in the approach of the elementary and the JH/H levels. So, all in all, I'm not recommending the elemenatary levels. I would recommend the Pre-Algebra though.

by KATHLEEN S on 2009-03-22
I discovered at the HEAV 2008 conference that TT had come out with Math5. I called my husband who teaches Math to our five youngest children and he told me no matter the cost to order it immediately! Our two highschoolers had just completed Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 with great enjoyment and success and mostly on their own and at their own pace. Fast forward to today, spring 2009 and our two 5th grade boys are three weeks away from completing the program. Both have 95% averages and have enjoyed competing against each other all year. The software grades their lessons(yipee)and maintains an electronic gradebook(which can be printed out for Grandma who wants to see a report card). We adapted the program slightly for we found that listening to the lectures twice before completing the lessons helped the boys get 95%-100% on the lessons instead of 80%. I imagine some might find it helpful for their children to read the lesson in the textbook before interacting on the computer. We did encounter several problems: we needed tech support to get our computer set up for multiple users; they argued over who would use the CD first; and we found several mistakes. None of these "problems" has reduced our family's enthusiastic response to this curriculum. I made a schedule for use, tech support was great and finding mistakes was an incredible confidence booster. I wish I had a photo of our son as he stated, "I knew more than the computer today!" So, does it get any better than this??? Yes! We just found out TT will release Math4 soon :) priceless!!!!

by ANGELA O on 2009-03-16
Excellent Math program! This has saved my sanity and my daughter has learned so much. I love the fact that Teaching Textbooks frees me up with more time for the subjects that I really enjoy teaching. No more tears! Wonderful

by LAURA L on 2009-02-01
We are brand-new homeschoolers this year (2008/2009), and chose TT 5 for our daughter (who was entering 5th grade from a Christian school very weak in math) after countless hours of research, placement tests, and discussions. We selected it because she was excited about the computer component, it was highly rated, independent for the student, and provided explanations for all questions if needed. So...she finished the entire 5th grade curriculum in 3 months. Granted, we've placed an emphasis on math to make up for the years of weakness in private school, but the emphasis has been on enjoying and exploring, not forced tedium. Teaching Textbooks was frustrating for her, because when push came to shove, she didn't want to be alone with a computer while her younger brother did fun Shiller Math with mom. It's been very frustrating for us, because TT was *too easy* and extremely weak in geometry. In order to move her into 6th grade math, we have to re-do 5th with another program to compensate for gaps in geometry and to add depth to a program that seemed fun but was shallow. In other words, we'll end up buying three math programs for this year. Teaching Textbooks, at least at the 5th grade level, was *not* a good investment, nor was it an adequate math curriculum.