There are some homeschool programs or curriculum that just automatically click with a child or children. They are the few and far between programs that you pray for and finally find. The ones your kids love and really excel with. We call those "Keepers" around our house. Then there are the programs that are a step above "Keepers". They are the programs that you come into contact with that fit so well, they are like an old pair of slippers that you never would dream of departing with. Or that old sweater that feels so comfortable when you wear it that you would never think of throwing it away. They are the life changing programs that come around only a few times in your homeschooling career. They are the ones that you know are a true answer to prayer.
We found one of those answers last year when we were invited to review CTCMath. It literally changed our middle child, Joshua's math life! Joshua is on the autism spectrum and has struggled with math since he first began homeschooling. He has always been way below grade level in math and, since he is going to be in 9th grade next year, I was worried. When we were given a Homeschool Membership from CTCMath last year we had no idea what an impact it would make. I'll describe the advances that he made in the next paragraph, but, let's just suffice it to say, that we jumped at the chance to review CTCMath again and receive another Homeschool Membership again this year.
As I mentioned above the advances that Joshua made using CTCMath this past year were astounding. He actually advanced a grade and a half in math where previously he struggled to make it through only a couple months of math in a whole year!
CTCMathis a completely online program that originated in Australia. In fact the fantastic male teacher has a really neat Australian accent. Once the parent goes through the very easy registration process and assigns log-in names and passwords to his students, the students are ready to go. You can choose from any grade level from Kindergarten all the way through High School Trigonometry. And you can even move between grade levels until you find the right fit for your child. If your not sure what grade level your child is on you can take one of the diagnostic tests to determine how well your child is doing. Once you choose a grade level the program will tell you the different areas that you will be working on and, after you click on the area, the different lessons that you will be learning. All you do then is click on the first lesson and get started! Each lesson contains a short video with the lesson animated on the screen. You never actually see the teacher but just hear his voice. We love the graphics and the easy to understand method in which the teacher explains each lesson. It really is easy and the child can watch the videos as many times as he wants. He can even print out a lesson summary if he desires. After the short lesson come the questions. At the lower, elementary levels, there are usually about 10 questions for each lesson. After a child completes the 10 questions he is given a grade. The parent has already set the desired percentage level that he wants his child to reach. Mine is set to 90 for Joshua and he generally reaches that and does quite well. If the child doesn't reach the desired percentage, or if he is working for one of the certificates (yes they have fun certificates that the child can work for) then he can work through another set of problems. Each time he works through a set the average will change so he just keeps working until he reaches the level that his parent set for him. Then he can move on to the next lesson. It is as easy as that! Joshua usually does two or three lessons in one setting - sometimes more. Each week the parent is emailed a summary of how each child is doing. He can also log onto the parent page and check everything himself if he desires. The program is very complete for both the student and the parent.
I don't think that there is any doubt that we absolutely love CTCMath and it's Homeschool Membership. This has truly been a lifesaver for us and a program that we are going to continue to use for years to come. To find out more about this program just click on any one of the highlighted links above. To find what other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew thought of CTCMath click on the banner below. Happy Homeschooling!
As I mentioned above the advances that Joshua made using CTCMath this past year were astounding. He actually advanced a grade and a half in math where previously he struggled to make it through only a couple months of math in a whole year!
CTCMathis a completely online program that originated in Australia. In fact the fantastic male teacher has a really neat Australian accent. Once the parent goes through the very easy registration process and assigns log-in names and passwords to his students, the students are ready to go. You can choose from any grade level from Kindergarten all the way through High School Trigonometry. And you can even move between grade levels until you find the right fit for your child. If your not sure what grade level your child is on you can take one of the diagnostic tests to determine how well your child is doing. Once you choose a grade level the program will tell you the different areas that you will be working on and, after you click on the area, the different lessons that you will be learning. All you do then is click on the first lesson and get started! Each lesson contains a short video with the lesson animated on the screen. You never actually see the teacher but just hear his voice. We love the graphics and the easy to understand method in which the teacher explains each lesson. It really is easy and the child can watch the videos as many times as he wants. He can even print out a lesson summary if he desires. After the short lesson come the questions. At the lower, elementary levels, there are usually about 10 questions for each lesson. After a child completes the 10 questions he is given a grade. The parent has already set the desired percentage level that he wants his child to reach. Mine is set to 90 for Joshua and he generally reaches that and does quite well. If the child doesn't reach the desired percentage, or if he is working for one of the certificates (yes they have fun certificates that the child can work for) then he can work through another set of problems. Each time he works through a set the average will change so he just keeps working until he reaches the level that his parent set for him. Then he can move on to the next lesson. It is as easy as that! Joshua usually does two or three lessons in one setting - sometimes more. Each week the parent is emailed a summary of how each child is doing. He can also log onto the parent page and check everything himself if he desires. The program is very complete for both the student and the parent.
I don't think that there is any doubt that we absolutely love CTCMath and it's Homeschool Membership. This has truly been a lifesaver for us and a program that we are going to continue to use for years to come. To find out more about this program just click on any one of the highlighted links above. To find what other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew thought of CTCMath click on the banner below. Happy Homeschooling!
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